Fossilized blood cells found in 115M-year-old dinosaur bone
Fossilized blood cells were found in a dinosaur bone dated to 115 million years ago. The discovery reveals preserved cellular structures in an ancient fossil. (pnas.org)
Bold new treatment may have just cracked how to reverse Alzheimer's
sciencefocus.com11 points1 comments
Deep cervical lymphatic-venous anastomosis (dcLVA) is a neck surgery intended to improve the brain’s waste drainage. Surgeons connect small lymphatic vessels to nearby veins, creating a faster route for fluid to enter the bloodstream. The theory is that this could help remove amyloid-beta and other waste products associated with Alzheimer’s, potentially easing or slowing damage to brain cells. The procedure has attracted intense attention in China, where thousands of operations have reportedly been performed and patients have paid up to £24,000 after recovery videos circulated online. But Alzheimer’s has no known cure, and existing treatments mainly aim to slow progression or manage symptoms.
Evidence for dcLVA remains weak. The largest published study followed 139 people with severe Alzheimer’s and reported modest to average gains in cognition, biomarkers, communication, social engagement and daily functioning within six months. Because the study had no comparison group, it cannot establish that surgery caused the changes; other factors, including patient care and natural symptom variation, could explain them. Researchers also lack clear information about risks, how the operation might work biologically, and whether it can be delivered reliably beyond specialist centres. Chinese regulators have restricted the procedure to clinical trials, and its pioneer was arrested over alleged insurance fraud, with no charges publicly announced. Controlled trials are underway in China, the US and South Korea. Experts consider the drainage theory plausible, but say only rigorous trials can determine whether this particular operation provides lasting benefit.
Summary generated by AI from the linked article. hn.today is not affiliated with Hacker News or Y Combinator.
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