Okinawa, Japan. Sardinia, Italy. Nicoya, Costa Rica. Three points on the map that are far from each other but which, nevertheless, have a surprising feature in common: the life expectancy of their inhabitants is very high, over 100 years.

These are three of the so-called Blue Zones: places where people not only live longer but in better health. So what’s their secret? 

Beyond diet or physical activity, researchers agree on one key factor they all share: their inhabitants live in environments that favour relaxation and social relationships and promote a strong sense of purpose in life, as well as experiencing low levels of stress. 

And this is no minor detail.

Something’s changing in the fight against amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

For years, this neurodegenerative disease has been synonymous with uncertainty, suffering and limited treatment options. But in recent times, scientific breakthroughs have been painting a different picture: for the first time, innovative therapies, specialised start-ups and initiatives are emerging that offer hopeful results which could truly transform the future of ALS.

This collective drive comes not only from large firms and pharmaceutical companies. It’s also taking shape in universities, hospitals and research centres around the world, where researchers, doctors and experts are working day after day with the same goal: to understand ALS and come closer to finding a cure.

One of the great achievements of modern medicine is undoubtedly organ and tissue transplantation. Not only has it saved hundreds of thousands of lives in recent decades but it has also radically transformed the everyday lives of many people, freeing them from long, invasive and exhausting treatments such as dialysis or the need to be permanently connected to an oxygen machine in cases of advanced lung disease, allowing them to regain their independence and enjoy a full and active life.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 172,000 transplants were performed worldwide in 2023. However, although this figure may be impressive, we are still a long way from meeting the global demand of 2 million transplants per year.

More than 860 000 new cases of liver cancer are diagnosed worldwide each year and hepatocellular carcinoma is the most common form, as well as one of the leading causes of cancer-related mortality. This is a particularly complex disease as it occurs in four distinct subtypes, each with its own genetic alterations and molecular characteristics.

Until now, research has come up against a considerable hurdle: the lack of experimental models capable of faithfully reproducing such complexity. This limitation significantly hinders the development of new treatments as it’s not possible to predict how different patients will respond to drugs, thereby impeding progress towards more personalised therapies.

Now, a promising solution has been offered by new study,

The skin of an adult human being measures about 1.5 square metres and weighs approximately four kilos for an average-sized individual. It’s not only the largest organ in our body but is also our first major protective barrier, defending the body from bacteria, harmful chemicals and extreme temperatures. But what do its physical well-being and resilience depend on? A new study from Spain’s National Centre for Cardiovascular Research (CNIC) has revealed that the immune system may play a key role.

In this latest edition of News from the Lab, CaixaResearch researcher Andrés Hidalgo and “la Caixa” Foundation fellow Tommaso Vicanolo explain their new finding,