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Could IL-11 Be the Key to Longer, Healthier Lives?
Il-11 Blockaid slows aging in mice, your next knee replacement could be made from coral, and Alzheimer's researchers forgot their ethics.

Small Animals, Big Gains with IL-11 Blockaid
The Key: Researchers at Duke University and the National University of Singapore found that interleukin-11 (IL-11) accelerates aging by promoting fat accumulation and muscle loss in mice. Blocking IL-11 may offer a new path to extend healthy lifespan.
Why It Matters: As populations age, preventing frailty and physical decline is essential.
Findings:
IL-11’s Role: IL-11 rises with age, leading to fat buildup, muscle loss, and frailty—hallmarks of aging.
Therapy Potential: Anti-IL11 therapy reversed these effects, improving metabolism, muscle function, and extending lifespan by 25% in mice.
Broader Impact: Unlike other anti-aging drugs, anti-IL-11 targets multiple aging pathways, reducing multimorbidity and preserving mitochondrial health.
What’s Next: The goal is to make anti-IL-11 therapy widely accessible to help people live healthier, longer lives. More animal studies are needed before progressing to clinical trials.
One word you should know: “Senescence:” The process of growing old. In biology, senescence is a process by which a cell ages and permanently stops dividing but does not die.
Go Deeper: Read the full study in Nature, Inhibition of IL-11 signaling extends mammalian healthspan and lifespan
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Your New Knee Could be Made from Coral
The Key: New treatments like coral plugs and hydrogel offer relief from cartilage damage and pain for those not ready for knee replacement.
Why It Matters: With over 30 million Americans suffering from knee issues, alternatives to full knee replacement are critical. These new methods aim to repair cartilage, delaying the need for surgery.
Findings:
Coral Solution: Agili-C, made from coral, helps regenerate bone and tissue. Approved in 2022 FDA it’s often covered by insurance. Full recovery is supposed to take two years.
Hydrogel Innovation: Duke University researchers are testing a hydrogel that supports 1,100 pounds of force, simulating long-term knee use. Currently in Phase 1 human trials.
Shock Absorber: Last year, the FDA approved the MISHA Knee System. It acts like a small shock absorber, reducing joint pressure.
What’s Next: While promising, these treatments need more data to fully replace current methods. But for some, the relief is already life-changing.
Read more: Visit the Washington Post to read more.
Editor’s Note: As someone with frequent knee pain from surgeries, I’m excited about these innovations. Maybe I’ll be part coral in the near future. - ASL
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Alzheimer's Researchers Forgot Their Ethics
The Key: Eliezer Masliah, a top U.S. Alzheimer's researcher, faces accusations of manipulating data in over 100 studies, raising concerns about his body of work.
Why It Matters: Masliah oversaw $2.6 billion in Alzheimer's research funds at the National Institute on Aging (NIA). His work influenced drug development, including trials for Parkinson's treatments.
Findings:
Suspect Research: A 300-page dossier found manipulated images in 132 of Masliah’s papers, including reused and falsified data.
Impact on Drug Trials: Masliah's research supported drug trials for Parkinson’s that may now be based on flawed data.
What’s Next: NIH found Masliah guilty of misconduct but has yet to address the broader issues in his research. This case casts doubt on key Alzheimer's and Parkinson's studies.
Editor’s Note: This reminds me of Stanford’s then president, Dr. Marc Tessier-Lavigne, who was forced to resign over manipulated images in his Alzheimer's research lab. - ASL
Read the full investigation at Science.org.