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)
Study estimates 75% of NFL players who died over 15-year span had CTE
nbcnews.com236 points190 comments
A study in JAMA Network Open estimates that nearly 75% of former NFL players who died between 2008 and 2023 had chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a brain disease linked to repeated head impacts. Researchers combined findings from 396 donated brains with death-record data on 1,966 other former players, then adjusted for the likelihood that families of players with cognitive symptoms were more likely to donate a brain. About 93% of the donated brains showed CTE signs; after adjustment, the team estimated that roughly 1,760 of the 2,360 players in the study had the disease. The estimate is three times higher than the same group’s earlier estimate for a five-year period. The researchers also estimated that 27% of the players had dementia.
The figure is not a direct count: CTE can currently be confirmed only after death, and the vast majority of players in the analysis did not have donated brains examined. Moreover, signs of CTE do not always lead to cognitive decline or other symptoms, and some autopsies may show limited brain changes. Experts say CTE can cause memory problems, mood changes and other difficulties, but similar symptoms occur in other conditions. Because the disease cannot yet be diagnosed in living people, the findings are estimates rather than a measure of confirmed cases. Researchers and clinicians point to reducing repeated head impacts as a key prevention strategy; NFL measures include helmet redesigns and kickoff rules intended to lower collision speeds.
Summary generated by AI from the linked article. hn.today is not affiliated with Hacker News or Y Combinator.
More in Science
Another child dies of measles as CDC reportedly holds up health alert
A New York child has died of measles, bringing the US total to seven deaths this year amid declining vaccination rates and major outbreaks. The CDC is reportedly delaying a health alert as state officials blame anti-vaccine misinformation and policies for worsening the crisis. (arstechnica.com)
China publicly discloses plan for a lunar landing within three years
China plans to land astronauts on the Moon before 2030, using separate launches for the crew spacecraft and lunar lander before docking them in lunar orbit. Its timeline calls for rocket and lander tests in 2027 and 2028, followed by uncrewed and crewed missions in 2029 or later. (arstechnica.com)
Fire risk to US structures will nearly triple by 2060 if we do nothing
Without stronger climate action, fire adaptation and safer development, wildfire damage to U.S. buildings could nearly triple by 2060, affecting up to 449,100 structures. The West faces the greatest losses, while risk is rising fastest in the central U.S.; projected dangers also overlap with poverty and housing burdens. (colorado.edu)
Is There Anything Left in the Dream of Cold Fusion?
Cold fusion remains an unsupported energy solution, but research into exotic atoms inspired by the idea is still active. That work probes the limits of physics, even if it won’t solve the energy crisis. (quantamagazine.org)
Bold new treatment may have just cracked how to reverse Alzheimer's
Deep cervical lymphatic-venous anastomosis reroutes neck lymph vessels to improve brain waste drainage, and some patients report dramatic Alzheimer’s symptom improvements. Researchers say there is no strong evidence it reverses the disease, and larger controlled trials are needed before wider use. (sciencefocus.com)