The brain’s health depends on more than just its neurons. A complex network of blood vessels and immune cells acts as the brain’s dedicated guardians—controlling what enters, cleaning up waste, and protecting it from threats by forming the blood-brain barrier. A new study from Gladstone Institutes reveals that many genetic risk factors for neurological diseases like Alzheimer’s and stroke exert their effects within these very guardian cells.

While chemotherapy remains a cornerstone of lung cancer treatment, it often weakens the immune system it relies on for long-term control. 

An international collaborative study has identified the E2F2 protein as a potential new therapeutic target to prevent metabolic fatty liver disease from progressing towards more serious conditions, such as cirrhosis or liver cancer.

Researchers have discovered a way to make the immune system’s T cells significantly more effective at fighting cancer. By blocking a protein called Ant2, they were able to reprogram how these cells consume and generate energy—essentially rewiring their internal power supply. This shift makes T cells more active, resilient, and better at attacking tumors. The findings open the door to new treatments that could strengthen the body’s own immune response, offering a smarter, more targeted approach to cancer therapy.