The discovery made by an international research collaboration led by Rutgers University-New Brunswick scientists has shed light on the mysteries surrounding biomolecular condensates – microscopic blobs of protein found in human cells. These enigmatic droplets have been observed to morph from a liquid-like substance, similar to honey, into a hard candy-like solid.

Researchers found that these condensates solidify when they contain a high proportion of alpha-synuclein protein, which is commonly associated with the brain cells of individuals suffering from Parkinson’s disease – a neurodegenerative disorder affecting motor control. The study, published in Science Advances, marks a significant breakthrough in understanding the mechanical properties of biomolecular condensates and their link to various biological functions and diseases.

“We can now better comprehend how diseases like Parkinson’s develop and progress by measuring how these condensates change from liquid to solid in living systems,” said Zheng Shi, an assistant professor at the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology in the Rutgers School of Arts and Sciences, and senior author of the study. “This knowledge may lead to novel treatments for neurodegenerative diseases.”

The research team employed advanced technologies to achieve a detailed look at biomolecular condensates – structures lacking a membrane boundary. They have designated them as crucial for understanding cell biology and the origins of disease.

Rutgers scientists have successfully developed tools that allow direct, quantitative measurement of material properties in live cells, overcoming previous limitations that only allowed measurements in test tubes. The technique, which takes advantage of the capillary effect, has enabled researchers to pierce condensates with microscopic pipettes (micropipettes) and measure important properties such as viscosity and surface tension.

“This is an exciting technological leap that opens new avenues for research into the early stages of neurodegenerative diseases and their treatment,” Shi said. “Our goal is to continue measuring and better understand the properties of condensates in living cells, which may have significant implications for disease prevention and treatment.”

Other researchers from Rutgers involved in the study included Jean Baum, Mengying Deng, Jordan Elliott, Zhiping Pang, Xiao Su, and Conor McClenaghan.

The discovery made by this research collaboration has sparked new avenues for understanding neurodegenerative diseases and their potential treatments. The findings may ultimately contribute to the development of novel therapeutic strategies that target biomolecular condensates in live cells, offering hope for individuals affected by these debilitating conditions.

Insomnia is a pervasive problem among older adults, affecting up to half of those over 65 years old. A recent study has shed light on the alarming connection between insomnia symptoms, sleep medication use, and disability in this age group. The researchers analyzed data from over 6,700 participants in the National Health and Aging Trends Study (NHATS) and found a significant correlation between increased insomnia symptoms and sleep medication use with higher levels of disability.

According to the study, for every incremental increase in insomnia symptoms, there was a corresponding 20% increase in risk of becoming disabled in some aspect of daily life. Similarly, increased usage of sleep medications also led to a higher risk of disability. The researchers discovered that individuals who regularly experienced insomnia symptoms and used sleep medication were at the highest risk of developing disabilities affecting their daily activities.

The study’s findings have important implications for the treatment of insomnia and the management of disability in older adults. “When we evaluated the relationships between disability, insomnia, and sleep medication use, we found that as older people used more sleep medication or experienced more insomnia symptoms, they moved more rapidly towards greater disability,” said Orfeu Buxton, co-author of the study.

The researchers emphasized the importance of proper treatment for insomnia, citing cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) as a safe and effective approach. They also highlighted the need for healthcare providers to be aware of sleep problems and review medications to avoid triggering insomnia.

In an effort to raise awareness about the issue, the researchers urged older adults to talk to their physicians about sleep problems and advocate for themselves to get proper treatment. “Many older adults think sleep disruptions are a natural part of aging, but they are a real problem that must be addressed,” said Soomi Lee, co-author of the study.

The connection between insomnia symptoms, sleep medication use, and disability in older adults is a critical concern that requires attention from healthcare providers, researchers, and policymakers. By acknowledging the issue and taking proactive steps to address it, we can help mitigate its impact and improve the quality of life for older adults.

The study, led by researchers at Yale University, has shed new light on the potential link between early-life exposure to air and light pollution and an increased risk of pediatric thyroid cancer. The findings are concerning, especially given how widespread these exposures are.

The research team analyzed data from 736 individuals diagnosed with papillary thyroid cancer before age 20 and 36,800 matched control participants based on birth year. Using advanced geospatial and satellite modeling, the team assessed individual-level exposure to fine particulate matter air pollution (PM2.5) and outdoor artificial light at night (O-ALAN). The results showed that for every 10 micrograms per cubic meter increase in PM2.5 exposure, the odds of developing thyroid cancer rose by 7% overall.

The strongest association between exposure and thyroid cancer was found among teenagers (15-19 years of age) and Hispanic children. Children born in areas with high levels of O-ALAN exposure were 23-25% more likely to develop thyroid cancer. The study’s lead author, Dr. Nicole Deziel, emphasized that these results are concerning and highlight the importance of addressing environmental factors in childhood cancer research.

Thyroid cancer is among the fastest-growing cancers among children and adolescents, yet we know very little about what causes it in this population. This study suggests that early-life exposure to PM2.5 and O-ALAN may play a role in this concerning trend. The impact of papillary thyroid cancer on children can be extensive, with survivors often suffering from aftereffects such as temperature dysregulation, headaches, physical disabilities, and mental fatigue.

Both PM2.5 and O-ALAN are considered environmental carcinogens that have been shown to disrupt the body’s endocrine system, including thyroid function, in animals and adults. The particles associated with PM2.5 pose a threat because they are small enough to enter the bloodstream and can interfere with hormone signaling, including those involved in regulating cancer pathways.

The current research raises important environmental justice concerns. Communities of color and lower-income populations are often disproportionately exposed to both air pollution and light pollution – inequities that may contribute to the higher thyroid cancer burden observed in Hispanic children.

In conclusion, this study highlights the need for more work to replicate and expand on these findings, ideally using improved exposure metrics and longitudinal designs. In the meantime, the results point to the critical importance of addressing environmental factors in childhood cancer research. Reducing exposures to air pollution and managing light pollution could be important steps in protecting children’s health.