Texas
Texas study suggests nasal spray could reverse brain aging
Over time, the brain gradually loses some of its sharpness. But new research from Texas A&M University suggests that decline may be reversible with a nasal spray.
In a recent study published in the Journal of Extracellular Vesicles, researchers examined “neuroinflammaging,” a slow, chronic inflammation in the brain that builds with age and contributes to memory and cognitive decline. The researchers developed a nasal spray containing microscopic particles derived from neural stem cells. Mice at 18 months of age — roughly equivalent to 60-year-old humans — received the treatment. Compared with untreated mice, those given the spray showed reduced markers of brain inflammation and improvements in memory and cognitive function. The benefits appeared within weeks and persisted for months after just two doses.
“We are seeing the brain’s own repair systems switch on, healing inflammation and restoring itself,” Ashok Shetty, professor of cell biology and genetics at Texas A&M, said in a news release. “As we develop and scale this therapy, a simple, two-dose nasal spray could one day replace invasive, risky procedures or maybe even months of medication.”
With people living longer, age-related brain diseases like dementia and Alzheimer’s are becoming more common. Studies estimate that about 42% of Americans over 55 will develop dementia, and as the population ages, the number of new cases each year is expected to double — from about 514,000 in 2020 to roughly 1 million by 2060.
In Texas, age-related brain diseases such as Alzheimer’s are considered a major public health issue, according to Texas Health and Human Services. The state ranks third in the nation for the number of people living with the disease and second for deaths related to Alzheimer’s. In 2020, about 460,000 Texans 65 and older were living with the disease.
The growing public health burden is one reason scientists are working to counter the inflammation that increases with age. Current treatments, however, have not been effective at stopping or reversing brain changes linked to neuroinflammaging, the Texas A&M researchers said.
Delivering treatments to the brain is difficult because it is protected by a barrier that blocks most drugs from entering — a challenge that often requires invasive procedures or limits how well therapies work. In the new study, though, Shetty and his colleagues used tiny biological packages called extracellular vesicles to carry genetic material known as microRNAs into the brain. These molecules act as regulators, helping control how genes are turned on or off inside cells.
After bypassing the brain’s protective barrier, the microRNAs help switch off signals that drive long-term inflammation in aging brains. They also boost the cells’ energy supply, which may improve mental clarity and support memory and thinking. That latter effect appeared to be reflected in behavioral tests, where treated mice could better recognize familiar objects, detect changes in their environment and adapt more quickly than untreated mice.
The findings are still early, the researchers caution. More research is needed to confirm safety, effectiveness, optimal dosing and how well the therapy would work in humans. Shetty and his colleagues are filing a patent for the nasal spray and hope to move toward developing a version that could eventually be tested in people.
“We aren’t just trying to understand the biological mechanisms,” Shetty said in the news release. “We are translating and developing our findings into real-world therapies that could make a difference.”
RESTAURANTS like Texas Roadhouse and Olive Garden are among the many enforcing a strict attire policy.
The “one ring” policy is put in place for diner safety concerns, and is strictly enforced likewise.
The “one ring” policy refers to the jewelry that employees preparing food can safely wear while performing their daily tasks.
Generally speaking, jewelry and other accessories are banned for their ability to harbor bacteria and potentially transfer it to food.
This applies to virtually any accessory worn on the fingers, hands, wrists, or arms, including watches and bracelets of any kind, including those with medical info.
However, there is one exception to the rule according to the latest version of the FDA’s food code, published in 2022.
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It specifies that the lone exception is “a plain ring such as a wedding band.”
The FDA permits this since wedding bands and similar styles of rings lack “grooves here pathogens can hide,” according to StateFoodSafety.com.
Employees should also wash their hands often and be sure to wear gloves in order to minimize risk of contamination from their ring, per StateFoodSafety.
In cases where an employee has a need for a medical bracelet, the FDA urges a conversation between the worker and management to find a new solution.
This can include wearing a necklace or anklet with the needed medical info, or taking advantage of other widely available alternatives.
Restaurants including Texas Roadhouse also have strict hair and beard rules, also as a result of the FDA’s Food Code.
These hygiene standards are fully in effect, and part of a push toward “Active Managerial Control,” replacing the older system where managers could enforce hair rules at their own discretion.
“Everyone entering the kitchen must wear a hair restraint to prevent contamination, and anyone with a beard must wear a beard net,” says the FDA.
These rules don’t apply to staff handling pre-packaged food and drinks, such as hosts and some wait staff.
(KBTX) – Twelve times this season, a Texas A&M athletic program raised a Texas-shaped trophy after knocking off the Texas Longhorns.
It was more than enough for the Aggies to claim the Lone Star Showdown title for the 2025-26 season.
A&M downed the Longhorns 11.5-7.5 in the season-long contest between the athletic departments, claiming the title for the first time since it was renewed in 2024.
On Saturday, the men’s and women’s track and field teams recorded higher team finishes at the SEC Championship, ensuring the Aggies’ win. The men’s squad finished fourth, ahead of Texas’ seventh-place finish. The women finished tied for sixth, three spots ahead of the Longhorns.
Every single matchup between the programs is worth one point. For men’s and women’s basketball, which play Texas twice during the regular season, each game is worth a half point. A series win in baseball is worth a point.
A&M soccer, volleyball, men’s and women’s cross country, women’s tennis, men’s and women’s indoor track and baseball all claimed wins over Texas. A&M men’s basketball earned a half point this season.
Texas claimed last year’s title 12.5-5.5.
The rivalry debuted in 2004 and ran through 2012 when A&M left the Big 12 for the SEC. It was renewed due to Texas’ entrance into the SEC. The Longhorns have claimed seven titles in that span to A&M’s three.
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What a win, and what a series for No. 10 Texas A&M (39-13, 18-11 SEC) on Saturday afternoon, as the Aggies clinched their final home series vs. Mississippi State, a 7-6 victory behind an impressive rally, scoring four runs in the final two frames after the Bulldogs took back the lead late in the game.
After using up nearly every pitching option over the first two games, second-year coach Michael Earley had to rely on Clemson transfer Ethan Darden, who started Game 1 but threw only 30-plus pitches. While this decision was questionable, Darden lasted three innings and allowed just one run, prompting Gavin Lyons to make his second appearance in the series.
However, Lyons allowed three runs, leading to Cooper Powell’s likely game-saving scoreless innings, including three strikeouts, while reliable closer Clayton Freshcorn, who earned his 12th save on Friday night, provided Aggie fans another shaky, but exciting end to one of the more important series of the season.
After allowing freshman Jacob Parker to hit a 2-run home run in the top of the 8th to take a 6-5 lead, Freshcorn locked in, especially after senior Bear Harrision’s double scored Caden Sorrell and Chris Hacopian to re-take the lead. Ending the game with two strikeouts and a pop-up, Texas A&M has secured a double-bye in the SEC Tournament and finished no lower than third in the SEC standings.
If Texas loses to Missouri in Game 3, Texas A&M will earn the No. 2 seed. If the Longhorns win, the Aggies will be the 3-seed heading into the SEC Tournament next week.
Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes and opinions. Follow Cameron on X: @CameronOhnysty.
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