The efficacy of seasonal flu vaccines varies due to the ability of the influenza virus to mutate rapidly. The achievement of a universal flu vaccine conferring protection against all strains, including those with pandemic potential, for longer than a single season would provide a great benefit and has not yet been achieved.

Researchers at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research (WEHI) in Melbourne have discovered new cells that drive the aging process in the thymus that could unlock a way to restore function and prevent immunity from waning as we age. The thymus is the first organ in the body to shrink as people age. As this happens, the T-cell growth areas in the thymus are replaced with fatty tissue, diminishing T-cell production and contributing to a weakened immune system.

Scientists at Harvard Medical School have shown that in mice lacking amyloid beta (Aβ), the fundamental hallmark of Alzheimer's disease (AD), neurons died from the effect of the most harmful mutation of this neurodegenerative disease. They showed that presenilin (PS) could be behind the origin of the disease without the need for Aβ. They maintain that it is time to update theories and redirect efforts.

A new study has shown that when a gene is mutated and its copy number is altered, the risk of that gene contributing to the development of cancer increases. Although it was already known that both variations together promoted cancer, it had not been described how the link between the two leads to the progression of tumors and what implications it had on the genetics of cancer.

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is the most common chronic liver disease, but has limited treatment options. Bile acids, gut microbiota, nuclear receptors, lipid metabolism and fatty acid metabolism are believed to play a role in MASLD treatment and prevention.