A new PET imaging study led by QST shows that tau, a protein closely linked to dementia, accumulates in diverse patterns in many people who first develop hallucinations or delusions in midlife or later. The findings could help doctors move toward more objective diagnosis, earlier intervention and future treatment strategies tailored to each patient’s underlying brain changes.

Obesity has been linked to skeletal muscle loss and deterioration. While M2 macrophages may play a role in regulating muscle function, the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. Now, researchers from Japan have found that deleting the signaling protein transforming growth factor-beta 1 from a specific population of M2 macrophages protected mice from obesity-induced muscle dysfunction. This enhanced muscle regeneration and mitochondrial function, suggesting a potential therapeutic strategy for muscle loss associated with obesity.

An Australian-first study of twins will seek to find out why two genetically similar people respond differently to infections, diseases and treatments.

The Snow Centre for Immune Health and the University of Melbourne’s Twins Research Australia (TRA) will recruit 100 pairs of identical and non-identical twins as study participants.

The study aims to provide rare insight into how much of our immune function is written in our DNA, and how much is shaped by experiences and the environment we live in.