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GOP weighs health care moves to pay for Iran war
New efforts to rein in health programs open the GOP up to attacks that they're cutting health care to pay for an unpopular war.
Weizmann Institute rebuilds after Iranian missile strike, but lost science may be gone for good
Most buildings damaged in the June 2025 attack have been repaired, but destroyed research and data cannot be recovered.
3 Simple Daily Changes Could Lower Your Risk of Heart Attack And Stroke
Small steps for big results.
Navigating the social media minefield
Scientists and researchers seeking to announce promising findings, exchange ideas or contribute to policy discussions outside of academic circles may find social media an expedient tool.But increasingly, scientists and other professionals are discovering that online platforms can be a double-edged sword: while sharing their work and expertise is crucial for visibility and meeting funder expectations, it also exposes them to baseless criticism and even accusations of spreading false information."It is getting harder and harder for scientists, and researchers in general, to convey their findings without facing attacks on their legitimacy and accuracy of their research," says Valère Ndior, a professor of public law at the University of Western Brittany in Brest, France, who has spent more than a decade studying misinformation on social media. Researchers attempting to challenge deceptive online information may themselves be accused of political bias or not being objective in their research, he explains, adding that some scientists disengage because they feel overwhelmed and unable to sustain meaningful dialogue. "It is quite sad to see in some instances that researchers end up leaving social media altogether because they feel like the pressure is getting too intense or feel threatened," he says.Ndior, a past president of the Francophone Network of International Law, is also involved in European efforts to make science and research findings more accessible to the public. As an ambassador for the Science Comes to Town (SCTT) project, he has participated in recent discussions on public perceptions of science and online misinformation. The European Commission-funded initiative connects Brest and two other cities — Kiel in Germany and Split in Croatia — and aims to strengthen ties between communities, universities and research institutions to promote science awareness and cooperation across Europe.Coordinated campaigns around contentious topicsNdior draws a clear distinction between critical thinking and thoughtless criticism. Yet he sees online discussions being increasingly shaped by suspicious behaviour and coordinated information campaigns — including "raids" aimed at dominating discussions and "astroturfing," where small groups act as larger movements to sway debates. Tracking these patterns has become harder because some platforms have restricted data or charge for it, despite provisions of the European Union's Digital Securities Act aimed at ensuring researchers can have access to such data. According to Ndior, "platforms became more reluctant from the moment access to data became a legal requirement rather than a voluntary initiative."Unfounded claims and scepticism about science existed long before Internet chat groups. But the noticeable rise in online hostility has intensified around contentious topics, such as the coronavirus pandemic and climate change, alongside the weakening of gatekeepers to moderate content.For Ndior, dubious claims about pandemic countermeasures and vaccine safety highlighted the struggle between "balancing freedom of expression and the protection of public health and order." Efforts to remove social media content deemed false or risky for public health triggered accusations of censorship and the silencing of legitimate discussion, and in some cases, legal challenges.Concerns about attacks on the credibility of scientists and researchers have generated a flurry of academic papers in recent years and prompted professional communities to address ways to counter online attacks. Such unease extends to the generation that has grown up with digital media. Ndior points out that his students, some of whom research artificial intelligence regulation, hate speech, online surveillance and other controversial topics, hesitate to share their work or viewpoints online. "Many of them don't want to expose themselves too much because they don't feel ready to be faced with the backlash of other people criticising their research," he explains.Safer harbours for engagementLegal challenges against false or defamatory posts are not necessarily a solution — especially given the trans-jurisdictional nature of the Internet. Lawsuits also take time and money, and if they fail, can be counterproductive. Instead, Ndior advises scientists and researchers to be selective in how and where they communicate. Professional online platforms and moderated discussion spaces offer a better environment for engagement. He also highlights the value of more traditional formats, such as radio interviews and in-person discussions at schools, libraries and science fairs, which encourage dialogue with the public. "Personal contact makes a big difference," he says, while acknowledging that these approaches lack the global reach of social media.Ndior’s interest in digital law and online misinformation stems from his time as a doctoral student in international law in the early days of social media. He began analysing posts from governments and heads of state to determine if they could be considered official and thus used as evidence in litigation. His work attracted media attention and led to conference and speaking invitations. "This was not part of my plan," he says, "but this is what happens as a researcher — your interest is sparked by a certain event or phenomenon, and it suddenly becomes your focus."Ndior believes SCTT provides "a double benefit" for researchers, enabling them to connect with peers and interact with the public. "There is a wide community of people who are not in academia who are critical thinkers looking for opportunities to ask questions, to get information and contribute their ideas,” he says. "I really value that kind of feedback."Science|Business, which connects policymakers, academics and industry through its news reporting, analysis and events, is an SCTT partner.
Navigating the social media minefield
Scientists and researchers seeking to announce promising findings, exchange ideas or contribute to policy discussions outside of academic circles may find social media an expedient tool.But increasingly, scientists and other professionals are discovering that online platforms can be a double-edged sword: while sharing their work and expertise is crucial for visibility and meeting funder expectations, it also exposes them to baseless criticism and even accusations of spreading false information."It is getting harder and harder for scientists, and researchers in general, to convey their findings without facing attacks on their legitimacy and accuracy of their research," says Valère Ndior, a professor of public law at the University of Western Brittany in Brest, France, who has spent more than a decade studying misinformation on social media. Researchers attempting to challenge deceptive online information may themselves be accused of political bias or not being objective in their research, he explains, adding that some scientists disengage because they feel overwhelmed and unable to sustain meaningful dialogue. "It is quite sad to see in some instances that researchers end up leaving social media altogether because they feel like the pressure is getting too intense or feel threatened," he says.Ndior, a past president of the Francophone Network of International Law, is also involved in European efforts to make science and research findings more accessible to the public. As an ambassador for the Science Comes to Town (SCTT) project, he has participated in recent discussions on public perceptions of science and online misinformation. The European Commission-funded initiative connects Brest and two other cities — Kiel in Germany and Split in Croatia — and aims to strengthen ties between communities, universities and research institutions to promote science awareness and cooperation across Europe.Coordinated campaigns around contentious topicsNdior draws a clear distinction between critical thinking and thoughtless criticism. Yet he sees online discussions being increasingly shaped by suspicious behaviour and coordinated information campaigns — including "raids" aimed at dominating discussions and "astroturfing," where small groups act as larger movements to sway debates. Tracking these patterns has become harder because some platforms have restricted data or charge for it, despite provisions of the European Union's Digital Securities Act aimed at ensuring researchers can have access to such data. According to Ndior, "platforms became more reluctant from the moment access to data became a legal requirement rather than a voluntary initiative."Unfounded claims and scepticism about science existed long before Internet chat groups. But the noticeable rise in online hostility has intensified around contentious topics, such as the coronavirus pandemic and climate change, alongside the weakening of gatekeepers to moderate content.For Ndior, dubious claims about pandemic countermeasures and vaccine safety highlighted the struggle between "balancing freedom of expression and the protection of public health and order." Efforts to remove social media content deemed false or risky for public health triggered accusations of censorship and the silencing of legitimate discussion, and in some cases, legal challenges.Concerns about attacks on the credibility of scientists and researchers have generated a flurry of academic papers in recent years and prompted professional communities to address ways to counter online attacks. Such unease extends to the generation that has grown up with digital media. Ndior points out that his students, some of whom research artificial intelligence regulation, hate speech, online surveillance and other controversial topics, hesitate to share their work or viewpoints online. "Many of them don't want to expose themselves too much because they don't feel ready to be faced with the backlash of other people criticising their research," he explains.Safer harbours for engagementLegal challenges against false or defamatory posts are not necessarily a solution — especially given the trans-jurisdictional nature of the Internet. Lawsuits also take time and money, and if they fail, can be counterproductive. Instead, Ndior advises scientists and researchers to be selective in how and where they communicate. Professional online platforms and moderated discussion spaces offer a better environment for engagement. He also highlights the value of more traditional formats, such as radio interviews and in-person discussions at schools, libraries and science fairs, which encourage dialogue with the public. "Personal contact makes a big difference," he says, while acknowledging that these approaches lack the global reach of social media.Ndior’s interest in digital law and online misinformation stems from his time as a doctoral student in international law in the early days of social media. He began analysing posts from governments and heads of state to determine if they could be considered official and thus used as evidence in litigation. His work attracted media attention and led to conference and speaking invitations. "This was not part of my plan," he says, "but this is what happens as a researcher — your interest is sparked by a certain event or phenomenon, and it suddenly becomes your focus."Ndior believes SCTT provides "a double benefit" for researchers, enabling them to connect with peers and interact with the public. "There is a wide community of people who are not in academia who are critical thinkers looking for opportunities to ask questions, to get information and contribute their ideas,” he says. "I really value that kind of feedback."Science|Business, which connects policymakers, academics and industry through its news reporting, analysis and events, is an SCTT partner.
The World's Most Unbelievable Science Fiction Novel
Honestly, I can't believe I'm in this world of ours (or do I mean His?). Yes, this very one and no other! Almost a quarter of a century after, in response to the 9/11 attacks, the
All INdiana Politics
Jamsheed Choksy discusses the risk of terror attacks and cyber threats in Indiana, while Diego Morales explains his voter registration decision.
Chelsea star Cole Palmer ready to consider Manchester United transfer
Cole Palmer has reportedly become disillusioned with life at Chelsea and is open to joining Manchester United. The 23-year-old is widely regarded as one of the best attacking midfielders in the world...
New cholesterol guidelines could change when you get tested
A major new U.S. cholesterol guideline is shifting the focus toward earlier, more personalized prevention of heart disease. It urges people to start screening sooner—sometimes even in childhood—and highlights the importance of tracking not just LDL (“bad”) cholesterol but also genetic risk factors like lipoprotein(a). A new, more advanced risk calculator now uses broader health data to better predict heart attack and stroke risk over decades.
Iranian attack on Saudi base injures US troops. More American forces arrive in the Middle East
w drone-surveillance-and-warfare iran-war war-and-unrest general-news military-and-defense washington-news world-news | WBEN
What do politicians gain from personal attacks?
"These findings suggest that politicians are using the attacks as a strategy to become part of the national political debate..."
Iran’s efforts to mount attacks against US extend far beyond its military. Here’s what to know
As the US sends large numbers of troops to the Middle East, preparing for a possible ground incursion, Iran’s willingness to inspire lone-wolf attacks, lead cyber hacks, and conduct assassination operations abroad is likely to increase, terrorism experts and US law enforcement officials told CNN.
Apple Sends Lock Screen Alerts to Outdated iPhones Over Active Web-Based Exploits
Apple issues Lock Screen alerts after Coruna and DarkSword exploit kits target iOS 13.0–18.7, increasing web-based attack risks.
Apple Says No iPhone in Lockdown Mode Has Ever Been Hacked
Apple says it has no record of a successful spyware attack against any device running Lockdown Mode, the opt-in security feature it introduced in 2022. "We are not aware of any successful mercenary spyware attacks against a Lockdown Mode-enabled Apple device," an Apple spokesperson told TechCrunch. Lockdown Mode is available on the iPhone, iPad, and Mac, and dramatically restricts certain system features that are commonly exploited by mercenary spyware.
Apple says no one using Lockdown Mode has been hacked with spyware
The tech giant's claim that it has not seen any successful spyware attacks targeting Apple devices with Lockdown Mode enabled comes amid a leak of hacking tools targeting users running devices with older software.
Apple Now Sending Critical Security Alerts to iPhones Running iOS 17 and Earlier
Apple has begun pushing Lock Screen notifications to iPhones and iPads running older versions of iOS and iPadOS, warning users of active web-based attacks. The alerts, which appear as a "Critical Software" notification from the Settings app, warn that Apple "is aware of attacks targeting out-of-date iOS software, including the version on your iPhone," and urge users to install a critical update to protect their device.
Louisiana falls behind in cholesterol screenings as new guidelines emerge. See the data.
Regular cholesterol screenings are crucial for evaluating heart risks and preventing heart attacks and strokes. Here's the Louisiana parish data for cholesterol screenings.
Oil prices fall as Trump pauses attacks on Iranian energy plants
Oil prices fell in early trade on Friday and were down over a volatile week after U.S. President Donald Trump said talks with Iran to end the war were going "very well" and announced he would pause attacks on the country's energy plants for 10 days.
World Trade Center Health Program will start hiring, federal officials tell lawmakers
The program, which serves about 140,000 people sickened by exposure to the Sept. 11, 2001, attack sites, has been grappling with staff shortages.
Apple made strides with iOS 26 security, but leaked hacking tools still leave millions exposed to spyware attacks
Leaked hacking tools threaten the security of millions of older iPhones. Cybersecurity experts weigh in.
Apple’s plans for Siri in iOS 27 sound like exactly what I want
This week a report outlined Apple’s plans for a Siri overhaul in iOS 27, and it has me very excited for the direction Apple’s taking Siri.
From frustration to inspiration: HeyShantaQ champions women’s health after heart attack and stroke
ShantaQuilette D. Carter-Williams knows heart problems are no laughing matter. But she uses humor and advocacy to help women understand the importance of heart health and how to speak up for themselves when they’re having symptoms.
Small Daily Habits Can Add Up To Better Heart Health
By Dennis Thompson HealthDay ReporterTHURSDAY, March 26, 2026 (HealthDay News) — Even small improvements to your daily habits – a few minutes more sleep, a couple extra minutes of exercise, a daily side serving of veggies – can lower your risk of heart attack, stroke and heart failure, a new study ...
Fears net zero is ‘next Brexit’ as oil crisis fuels political climate divide
Rising energy bills give Reform and Tories opening to attack net zero while government hesitant to make case for clean energy
Maine mental health agency targeted in Russian ransomware attack
AMHC is the largest behavioral healthcare provider for a large swath of rural Maine, operating in Aroostook, Hancock and Washington counties.
High-stakes Senate race in Texas sees proliferation of AI-generated attack ads
Campaigns are beginning to use phony AI-generated images in television ads to sharpen their attacks and, critics say, mislead voters.
Iran building up defenses of Kharg Island to protect against potential US ground attack, sources say
Iran has been laying traps and moving additional military personnel and air defenses to Kharg Island in recent weeks in preparation for a possible US operation to take control of the island, according to multiple people familiar with US intelligence reporting on the issue.
Opinion | When faith becomes a weapon in Alabama politics
Wes Allen’s attack on John Wahl reveals a dangerous tactic—using faith as a political weapon rather than a guiding principle.
Biden admin’s top civil rights lawyer joins NAACP as Trump attacks on voting rights escalate
The former assistant attorney general for civil rights under President Joe Biden, Kristen Clarke, is joining the National Association for the Advancement of Color People (NAACP) as general counsel, according to the organization.
PlayStation Plus Essential headliner game for April leaks
One of the games expected to arrive along with April 2026's PS Plus Essential lineup has leaked ahead of schedule.
Trump votes by mail amid his push to end mail-in ballots
President Donald Trump cast a ballot by mail in the March 24 special election in Palm Beach, Florida, even though he has spent years attacking mail-in ballots as susceptible to fraud.
Prominent Researcher Exits NASA, Citing US Attacks on Science
Climate expert Kate Marvel pointed to “upheavals” under the Trump administration as a reason for her departure.
Fact check: The lies Trump is using to sell his latest attack on mail-in voting
CNN debunks four of Trump’s most frequently repeated false claims about mail‑in voting.
New poll finds Trump's net favorability at record low in Wisconsin
The first Marquette University Law School poll conducted after the U.S. attacks on Iran found 61% oppose the war, with divides among Republicans.
AI attack ads are hitting Massachusetts political campaigns
Lawmakers are considering new legislation to regulate the use of AI in political advertising. Have you spotted them?
The Supreme Court seems alarmingly willing to trash thousands of ballots
At least four justices appear to be on board with a frivolous lawsuit attacking voting by mail.
Trump attacking Newsom's dyslexia proves president's incompetence
President Trump claims Gov.
As President Trump’s Attacks on Science Escalate, Big Oil Moves to Avoid Legal Accountability
This piece was originally published in Climate Home News. The Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) recently agreed to hear arguments in Boulder v. Exxon and Suncor a case that could decide whether communities harmed by climate change can hold polluters accountable in state court. Origin
AI-generated attack ads are already slopping up Mass. races
AI attack ads are already showing up in Massachusetts races — and the 2026 cycle is just getting started.
Energy Attacks in War on Iran Could Turn Economic Shock Into Long-Term Damage
A new phase targeting oil and gas infrastructure in the Persian Gulf threatens to hurt businesses and customers around the world for months or even years.
Four Jewish ambulances set on fire in London in what health secretary calls 'sickening' attack
The attack on the Jewish Community Ambulance service in north London is being treated as an "antisemitic hate crime", the Metropolitan Police says.
Those who cannot live without wild things
Aldo Leopold wrote in his Sand County Almanac, “There are some who can live without wild things and some who cannot.” The collection of essays first published in 1949 was accepted by a publishing house after a steady stream of rejections. His work long outlived him as Leopold died of a heart attack while fighting […]
AI Swarm Attacks Are Coming, Is Your Business Ready?
Leaders need a new cybersecurity playbook for the agentic era, with stronger governance, faster response systems, workforce awareness, and up-to-date security frameworks.
Your Thymus and Your Healthspan
Our thymus gland plays a central role in the development or our immune system, specifically for supporting T cell development (how these cells got their name, maturation and differentiation in the thymus) and discriminating between self and foreign, non-self antigen proteins with production of dendritic cells. As we age, our thymus gland shrinks—the process known as involution—with progressive change from spongy to fatty tissue, with loss of functionality. But this process, with respect to timeline and extent, markedly varies from one person to the next. And to make things even more complicated, our thymus gland anatomy and precise location in the chest also is highly variable. So the famous Frank Netter diagrams from the 1960s (such as at left below) don’t capture the remarkable heterogeneity that a random set of 12 chest CT scans (below at right). What I consider as 2 landmark papers in Nature this week (here and here) used AI to quantify health of the thymus in 2 large cohorts, and then correlate the metric to a broad array of health outcomes. In this edition of Ground Truths, I’m going to cover three questions: (1) How was thymus health determined by AI?; (2) How is thymus health linked to key clinical outcomes? and (3) Are there ways we can promote a healthy (aka rejuvenate) thymus gland in our later years? Subscribe 1. How was thymus health determined by AI? This was accomplished by extensive work developing and validating an AI pipeline for 2 stages, the first for localization and segmentation of the thymus bed, and the second to quantify a digital marker, termed the thymic health score. There’s a lot to this algorithmic development, so I won’t go into all the details, but just provide a rudimentary outline of what was done. The 1st stage used supervised learning with 2 radiologists reviewing 2,461 chest CT scans. That work trained a 3D U-Net model to automatically identify the thymic bed’s 3D cropped region using center of mass coordinates, which reached 99.8% accuracy. The 2nd stage used a foundation model that was pre-trained with SwAV (which stands for Swapping Assignment between multiple Views), a self-supervised model, that generated a high-dimensional thymus representation of 4,096 features. That compares to the radiology reductionist and subjective scoring of 0 to 3 where 0 means the thymus is fully degenerated and fatty, and 3 is considered dense, intact glandular soft tissue. Notably, the self-supervised learning (SSL) performance was superior to supervised (AUC ~0.75 vs 0.55, respectively) reflecting the shallowness of the 0-3 classifier vs SSL’s holistic, self-taught AI. The thymic health score ranged from 0 to 100, with the highest number indexed to fully preserved thymic health. The algorithmic work extended to explainability with both Shapely value distribution, meaning the model was holistic not relying on any “magic” pixel, and occlusion sensitivity, demonstrating the model’s performance was not affected by ribs, sternum, lung tissue, but rather focused on the thymic bed directly. Below are a few saliency maps from the occlusion sensitivity that indicate the thymic bed focus, not affected by neighboring structures, using the jet color scale. Now the AI was ready for processing ~25,000 CT scans, each over 30 MB files, from the 2 large participant cohorts to provide a thymic health score, it did so in less than 14 hours, which is less than 2 seconds per scan! Share 2. How is thymus health linked to key clinical outcomes? The two cohorts were the National Lung Screening Trial, NLST (N=25,031) and the Framingham Heart Study, FHS (N=2,581) each with baseline demographics and long term follow up of >12 years for health outcomes. From the NSLT, you can see below that increased age and body-mass index were correlated to reduced thymic health. And, overall, men had reduced thymic health scores compared with women. There are a lot of graphs in the paper for outcomes, for both the NLST and FHS cohorts. To simplify the major outcomes, below is a composite Figure with striking reduction of all-cause mortality and for the different causes of death. The results were consistent between the 2 cohorts. For example, the cardiovascular mortality hazard ratio average was 0.57 in NLST and 0.38 in FHS (weighted to be 0.53 for the aggregate). The reduction of mortality also extended to digestive diseases and pulmonary disease (data not shown below). Lung cancer incidence was reduced by 36% for high vs low thymic health (Figure below, with a panel -incidence and b panel-mortality, adjusted for age, sex, BMI, smoking status). Notably, there was a smoker’s paradox: lower incidence and improved survival for lung cancer in smokers who had a high thymus health score. Smoking was associated with lower thymic scores whereas alcohol was not. Higher thymic health was linked to higher HDL cholesterol, lower triglycerides, lower fasting blood glucose, and lower systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Inflammation biomarkers, such as C-reactive protein and interleukin-6, were elevated in the people with lower thymic health scores. In their second paper, the same team looked at the relationship between thymic score and outcomes for 3,476 patients receiving cancer immunotherapy. The non-small cell lung cancer progression-free survival was reduced in patients with low thymic health score. A parallel relationship for survival was seen for other types of cancer including melanoma, breast, and kidney with a 44% lower risk among high thymic scores (Figure). A similar pattern was seen with different immune checkpoint inhibitors. The thymus health score outperformed programmed death ligand-1 (PD-L1)and tumor mutation burden (TMB) assay of the tumor and was an independent prognostic marker of progression-free survival. In this dataset, a direct connect with thymus score and adaptive immune function was noted with a correlation before cancer treatment for both T-cell diversity and thymus T-cell production (a metric known as T cell receptor excision circles). Thymus Removal Study There is a highly relevant citation about thymus function before moving onto ways to rejuvenate it. In 2023, a very important study of thymus removal during cardiothoracic surgery was published, with 1146 patients undergoing thymus removal vs 1146 matched controls (mean age 55 years). The adverse outcomes for thymus removal were striking, with a 2.9 higher risk of all-cause mortality and doubling of cancer incidence, 1.5 fold increase in cancer mortality, and 1.5-fold increase in autoimmune diseases. The immune function showed marked compromise after thymus removal, as reflected by CD4+ and CD8+ T cells (Figure below) Share Ground Truths 3. Are there ways we can promote a healthy (aka rejuvenate) thymus gland in our later years? In recent months we’ve learned a lot about the process of thymus involution and the pathways by which this may be modulated. Thymus involution is primarily due to loss to thymus epithelial cells (TECs) and there are 2 subtypes with different functions: the cortical, responsible for positive selection of T cells, and the medullary, for negative selection. When adipose tissue infiltrates the thymus, thymic adipocytes are pro-inflammatory, knocking out T-cell output. Likewise, systemic inflammation, or “inflammaging,” from smoking, obesity, and chronic stress promote thymic adipocytes. Now, from preclinical studies, we know about key pathways that account for these processes. Historically, back in 2014, FOXN1 was recognized as a single master transcription factor essential for TEC function, with studies in mice with forced FOXN1 upregulation leading to thymus regeneration. That laid the foundation for potential regrowth of quiescent thymus cells. It took awhile to find pathways to accomplish this goal and to even refute its role as the master regulator. The Liver-Thymus Axis Feng Zhang and his team recently showed that injection of an mRNA vaccine to the liver encoding DLL1, IL-7 and FLT3-L in combination, factors known to support thymopoiesis (Figure), successfully enhanced immune function in aged mice. However, the effect was transient. The FGF21 Story Two reports in 2025 addressed the thymus gland’s production of FGF21, a growth factor (fibroblast growth factor 21) and its control of thymus involution. This growth factor is also produced by the liver, but it doesn’t have impact on the thymus in aged rodent models. In contrast, The liver’s hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) has been shown to reverse senescent TEC structural changes. Growth hormone stimulates production of insulin growth factor-1 (IGF-1) in the liver and the thymus. Two small studies in human participants (TRIIM, for Thymus Regeneration, Immunorestoration, and Insulin Mitigation) of 6 and 50 people, respectively, treated with combined human growth hormone, metformin and DHEA, suggested the potential of slowing epigenetic aging and improving thymus mass and function. But the combination of drugs, small sample, and lack of controls make conclusions murky. Increased thymus FGF21 led to increased CD8 T cells in old mice and extended healthspan and improved physical performance. Building on the previous FOXN1 data, ablation of β-klotho, the obligatory co-receptor for FOXN1, accelerated thymic aging. The benefit to FGF21 was confirmed in a companion paper using an FGF21 knock-in mouse model showing thymus enlargement and increased TECs throughout the lifespan. (schematic Figure below). The accompanying editorial for these 2 papers speculated: “The proposed link between age-associated thymus involution and organismal aging is intriguing, and suggests we might seek to achieve systemic rejuvenation by counteracting thymic involution.” Other Factors Lessons from the Axolotl (Mexican Salamander) In an elegant set of experiments of the axolotl (Figure), known for its complete thymus regeneration after total surgical removal, mediators were identified. Surprisingly FOXN1 was dispensable. But midkine, a growth factor, appeared to be the driver, the initiator of thymus cell growth, survival, and repair. Other components that contributed were Postn+ (periostin-expressing mesenchymal niches) and Ccl19, a chemokine protein from the bloodstream. RANK and RANKL RANK (receptor activator of nuclear factor κB its ligand (RANKL) have been considered key regulators of medullary TECs. In a study of both aged mice and human thymus cell cultures, their key role was confirmed, with multiple benefits of resorting TEC function, recruitment of progenitor cells, and T cell development. Subscribe Summing Up This body of work strongly supports the health of the thymus gland as a critical regulator of human healthspan, not just a correlate or link. The new landmark studies are reinforced by the regenerative biology experimental models that have shown, via an array of mediators, that healthspan of aged mice is at least in part dependent on thymus gland function and its critical role for maintaining adaptive immunity. It sure seems that we’d be better off having an immune reservoir of naive T cells instead of a profile in older adults of exhausted, low quality, memory T cells, with a senescent phenotype. It is striking that we ignored the importance of the thymus gland for many decades. A wake-up call was the results of the thymectomy matched control study reviewed here, with the opposite of high thymic health score improved health outcomes. The convergence of AI and healthspan here is notable. The exceptional and laborious work for developing and validating (no less explaining) the AI to quantify thymus health set the foundation for probing the connect the major health outcomes in two cohorts with extensive follow-up. We’ve never had a way to meaningfully quantify the thymus gland before, so this represents important leverage of supervised, self-supervised, and transformer models. The study wouldn’t have been possible without AI. And it begs the question as to whether there are ways we can maintain our thymus at a high health score. But it’s not so simple to rejuvenate our thymus. There are multiple risks including the induction of autoimmunity, increasing the risk of cancer, and inducing a pro-inflammatory state. For example, factors that increase TEC proliferation could compromise the medulllary negative selection process and leak out auto-reactive (self-attacking) T cells. Thymic cells could be induced to proliferate, but we know, for example, that growth hormone and IGF-1 are associated with an increase risk of cancer. If thymus rejuvenation doesn’t clear out the accumulated senescent cells in older adults, then inflammation within the gland could block the production of TECs. Keeping these risks in mind, we now have identified many ways to keep our thymus healthy as we age that undoubtedly will be tested in clinical trials going forward. Ultimately, the benefit-to-risk tradeoffs will be defined. In the meantime, we have desperately needed an immunome. As I’ve stressed in multiple prior Ground Truths, we have no test in the clinic to assess a patient’s immune status! It was very encouraging for me to get an email from Hugo Aerts, the senior author of the landmark papers in the days after they were published: “I also wanted to say that your Substack on “Why We Need an Immunome” was inspiring for this work. We found it a very compelling perspective and greatly enjoyed reading it.” Just having an assessment of a person’s immune status via a chest CT scan, with millions of these performed per year, might help in guiding the right immunotherapy for cancer (e.g. more intensive, combinations for those with low thymic health scores) and help define people who are increased risk for age-related diseases of cancer, cardiovascular, and neurodegenerative. The main theme of Super Agers is that we now have many layers of data (genetics, proteins, biomarkers, organ clocks that can be integrated via multimodal AI) for us to define a person’s specific risk decades before one of these age-related diseases leads to symptoms, enabling prevention. From the new studies this week, we can add thymus health score as yet another way to understand a person’s risk, a window into their adaptive immune system and healthspan. And perhaps someday we will be able to safely rejuvenate the thymus, or maintain its health through one’s life, and use the thymus health score to monitor. NB: I wrote this post (No A.I.) A Quick Poll Loading... ********************************************************************* Thanks to Ground Truths subscribers (now > 200,000) from every US state and 212 countries. Your subscription to these free essays and podcasts makes my work in putting them together worthwhile. Please join! If you found this interesting PLEASE share it! Share Ground Truths Paid subscriptions are voluntary and all proceeds from them go to support Scripps Research. They do allow for posting comments and questions, which I do my best to respond to. Please don’t hesitate to post comments and give me feedback. Let me know topics that you would like to see covered. Leave a comment Many thanks to those who have contributed—they have greatly helped fund our summer internship programs for the past two years. It enabled us to accept and support 47 summer interns in 2025! We aim to accept even more of the several thousand who will apply for summer 2026.
Oil prices face new pressure as US and Iran trade threats
Trump said the US would attack Iran's power plants if it didn't reopen the Strait of Hormuz in 48 hours. Iran responded on Sunday with is own threats.
Maine progressive Senate candidate Graham Platner responds to Gov. Janet Mills’ attack on his online past
Why mosquitoes always find you and how they decide to attack
Scientists have finally cracked how mosquitoes decide where to fly—and it’s not by following each other. Instead, each insect independently reacts to visual cues and carbon dioxide, zeroing in on humans when both signals align. Dark colors and CO2 together create the strongest attraction, triggering swarming and biting behavior. This insight could reshape how we design traps and prevent mosquito-borne diseases.
WHO verifies deadly hospital attack in war-torn Sudan
The World Health Organization (WHO) verified on Saturday a hospital attack in war-torn Sudan that killed 64 people.
Vaz and Tsimikas to start vs Lecce
Good attacking depth and a knack for jostling opponents. Plus, an assist and a penalty won. It may not have been enough to eliminate Bologna from the Europa League, but it might have been enough to co...
Today’s Papers – Italy’s World Cup mission, Napoli’s comeback
La Gazzetta dello SportBeware Inter, Conte returnsNapoli go -6. Cagliari beaten 1-0. Chivu to the attack tomorrow in FlorenceMilan-Toro, Leao is outSan Siro. Allegri for the comeback with Fullkrug and...
Swalwell sees attacks from left and right as California's race for governor heats up
There is finally a breakaway leader in California’s crowded race for governor, at least by one measure: Eric Swalwell is just about everyone’s favorite target.
Iran threatens to carry out terror attacks against U.S., Israeli officials 'even in entertainment centers'
Trump’s Reaction to Israeli Strike on Gas Field Exposes Divergent Strategies
President Trump said he complained to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel about the attack, which sent energy markets reeling. But Israeli officials said the Americans were informed beforehand.
Trump Jokes About Pearl Harbor in Meeting With Japan’s Leader
Breaking a taboo, President Trump needled Japan’s prime minister about the World War II attack, as she widened her eyes and appeared to take a deep breath in the Oval Office.
How Stress, Depression and Anxiety Hit the Heart
Depression, anxiety, PTSD and more are linked to higher odds of heart attack, stroke and heart failure — and the risk is especially relevant after age 50
What a Recent Court Win Reveals About the Trump Administration’s Unlawful Attacks on Climate Science
This article was originally published by the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists. The second Trump administration is taking its hostility to climate science to new levels. In addition to its rhetoric dismissing climate change as a con or scam, recently released government documents show how the adm
Lebanon: Israel must halt attacks on healthcare workers, medical facilities and first responders
Responding to the killings and injuries of dozens of healthcare workers and first responders in Lebanon since 2 March 2026, amid escalating attacks by the Israeli military and its allegations – without providing evidence – that ambulances and healthcare sites are being used for military activities and may be targeted, Kristine Beckerle, Deputy Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa at Amnesty International, said: “Israel is deploying the same deadly playbook it used in 2024 in Lebanon to kill dozens […]
Republicans are ramping up attacks on Muslims
Past GOP leaders, including George W. Bush, spoke out against Islamophobia. Now it is going unchallenged.
Fetterman says Democrats lack leader, claims party driven by ‘Trump Derangement Syndrome’
Democratic Sen. John Fetterman, an ardent supporter of Israel who also backs the U.S. attack against Iran, suggested that his party is lead by Trump Derangement Syndrome.
Early menopause could put women at greater risk for heart attack, study finds
The heart health steps now recommended you take in your 20s and 30s
People between ages 20 and 40 should be taking steps now to prevent heart attacks and strokes, according to new recommendations from the American Heart Association.
Healthy Returns: Stopping GLP-1s raises risk of heart attack, stroke and death, study says
Research finds that even short gaps in treatment with a GLP-1 can drive up risks of heart attack, stroke and death in patients with Type 2 diabetes.
Heart benefits fade after stopping GLP-1 medications
One major benefit of taking injected GLP-1 medications is a sizeable reduction in risk for heart attacks, strokes and other heart problems.
Paul Questions Mullin’s Character Over Response to Attack by Neighbor
Senator Rand Paul was assaulted in 2017. Markwayne Mullin acknowledged that he once said he understood the reason for the attack, but did not apologize.
‘Stop the Steal’ delusions are back, aimed right at WA’s vote by mail
After going through a cooling off period, election denialism has come roaring back. It's fueling an attack on Washington's popular vote-by-mail system.
What a recent court win reveals about the Trump administration’s unlawful attacks on climate science
Recently released government documents show how the administration is seeking to replace scientific facts with propaganda and disinformation.
Misalignment and Risk Tolerance Gaps Undermine Business Resilience, Kroll Study Finds
Kroll, the leading independent provider of global financial and risk advisory solutions, today released global cyber resilience research findings revealing a critical gap between organizations' perception of their cyber preparedness and their actual capability to defend against, and recover from, sophisticated attacks. This gap is being driven by misalignment between the C-suite and cyber decision-makers. This disconnect is costly, as organizations face a yearly average of $2.2 million in recove
Kharg Island Is an Appealing Target for Trump, With High Risks
A U.S. attack or a move to seize control of Iran’s main oil export hub could cripple the country’s ability to profit from its natural resources. But it would also risk sending energy prices even higher.
Trump says NATO's refusal to help on Iran is 'very foolish mistake'
Trump called on nations to help police the Strait of Hormuz after Iran responded to U.S.-Israeli attacks by using drones, missiles and mines to \u200ceffectively close the channel for tankers.
Trump’s Gutting of Election Security Fuels Worries for Midterms
Officials say the crippling of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, which the president himself created, could open elections to cyberattacks and foreign influence.
Oil prices jump as Iran warns Strait of Hormuz ‘cannot be the same’
Oil prices spiked Tuesday as Iran intensified its attacks on energy infrastructure across the Middle East and a senior regime figure suggested that the crucial Strait of Hormuz wouldn’t become safe for ships anytime soon.
US race to counter Iranian drones echoes response to roadside bombs in Iraq and Afghanistan
Facing deadly Iranian drone attacks across the Middle East, the US military has been rushing defensive systems into the region while adjusting to a threat that has come to dominates modern battlefields and carries echoes of a weapon that haunted service members during the 20 years of the war on terror.
What does Israel want from the Iran war? Is it different from what the US wants?
The US and Israel attacked Iran together at the same time. But as the war drags into its third week, it is becoming clear the two countries have some differences in how they see the war proceeding.
Iran’s attacks have collapsed, and the trend is ‘overwhelmingly positive,’ analysts say. But the military side is separate from politics and markets
Iranian drone attacks on the United Arab Emirates collapsed from 332 on the second day of the war to just six on Sunday, according to the Institute for the Study of War.
Dem senators call to fund DHS after voting to block it 4 times amid shutdown fight
Government shutdown continues over Department of Homeland Security funding as Democrats seek immigration enforcement reforms amid terror attacks.
Donald Trump attacks supreme court over tariffs again in late-night social media post
President accuses court of having ‘unnecessarily RANSACKED’ the US and claims he has ‘absolute right’ to impose new tariffs
Robotics firm Intuitive Surgical says cyberattack compromised business, customer data
The company said an intruder accessed employee information, customer contact details and other records.
2026 Oscars Political Moments: Trump Raged At Media, But Those On Stage Countered The Chaos
Trump posted an attack on news outlets and late night hosts, but Oscar presenters and winners tried to counter the turbulent times.
Reports: some 9/11 WTC health staffers reassigned to ICE, other roles
The Senate’s top Democrat joined a group of local Republican lawmakers seeking answers amid reports that 9/11 World Trade Center health fund program workers are being reassigned to other agencies, including U.S. Immigrations & Customs Enforcement. “It would be bad enough if they just reduced the number. That would be horrible enough,” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-New York) told…
Google Zero-Day Alert For 3.5 Billion Chrome Users—Attacks Underway
Google has confirmed an emergency Chrome security update amid reports that attackers are exploiting two zero-day vulnerabilities.
Israeli rockets kill 12 healthcare workers in southern Lebanon
The facility was attacked on Friday night, bringing the toll of medical staff to 31 killed in past 12 days
Iran War Creates a Public Health and Environmental Crisis
The United States and Israel's war against Iran is creating a public health and environmental crisis, as attacked oil depots spew toxins.
Google Zero-Day Alert For 3.5 Billion Chrome Users—Attacks Underway
Google has confirmed an emergency Chrome security update amid reports that attackers are exploiting two zero-day vulnerabilities.
Two weeks of war: Inside Trump’s risky decision to attack Iran—and the scramble to contain the fallout
Two weeks in, the Trump administration is no closer to settling on a defined strategy for finishing a conflict that has grown only more complicated and unwieldy by the day, according to interviews with more than a half-dozen people familiar with the internal deliberations.
Universities slow hiring, faculty navigate rocky future amid Trump attacks on higher education
The Trump administration’s attacks on universities have led to a slowdown in hiring, with international academics particularly caught in the crossfire. Colleges are being forced to navigate b…
Multiple House Republicans post openly anti-Muslim statements
At least four House Republicans have expressed anti-Islamic sentiments on social media in the wake of the Iran War and recent violent attacks in the U.S.
Person arrested on charges of selling rifle to gunman in Old Dominion University attack
A person has been arrested and is facing federal charges for allegedly selling the rifle used in the deadly shooting during an ROTC class at Old Dominion University, according to court documents.
Millions more people may need to start cholesterol-lowering medications as young as their 30s. Here’s why
Millions more adults should consider starting cholesterol-lowering medications earlier to reduce their risk of heart attack and stroke, according to new medical guidance.
Earlier Cholesterol Testing Can Reduce Heart Attacks and Strokes, New Guideline Says
Eleven medical organizations advised changes to preventive cardiac care that it says could markedly reduce heart attacks and strokes.
Democratic senators file war powers resolution to check Trump on Cuba
Senate Democrats have filed legislation that would prevent the U.S. from attacking Cuba without congressional approval as they seek to force a vote on President Donald Trump's stated goal of a “takeover” of the Caribbean country.
Google Zero-Day Alert For 3.5 Billion Chrome Users—Attacks Underway
Google has confirmed an emergency Chrome security update amid reports that attackers are exploiting two zero-day vulnerabilities.
Trump policies set to increase rates of lung disease and death, study finds
Experts warn of ‘attack on Americans’ lungs’ from cuts to health programs, environmental rollbacks and other plans
Google rushes Chrome update fixing two zero-days already under attack
: Skia graphics lib and V8 JavaScript engine brings browser's tally of actively exploited bugs to three in 2026
The Memo: Political pressures grow on Trump over Iran
President Trump faces a plethora of political pressures stemming from his decision to attack Iran — and they are likely to escalate the longer the conflict goes on. In terms of domestic politics, t…
Google Fixes Two Chrome Zero-Days Exploited in the Wild Affecting Skia and V8
Google patches two Chrome zero-days exploited in the wild, urging updates to version 146.0.7680.75/76 to prevent attacks.
Google fixes two new Chrome zero-days exploited in attacks
Google has released emergency security updates to patch two high-severity Chrome vulnerabilities exploited in zero-day attacks.
‘Hypocritical BS’: Democratic Congressman responds to GOP attacks on DHS funding
Michigan State Rep. & synagogue member says attack left her ‘absolutely shaken’
8 hospitalized during Temple Israel attack in West Bloomfield, Henry Ford Health says
Henry Ford Health says eight first responders were injured in the Temple Israel attack in West Bloomfield.
8 first responders hospitalized after West Bloomfield temple attack
Henry Ford Health confirmed that eight first responders are being cared for at two of its hospitals after an attack at a West Bloomfield temple.