New research reveals that glial cells, specifically oligodendrocytes, produce amyloid beta, a protein linked to Alzheimer’s disease, challenging the long-held belief that neurons are the sole contributors. This discovery opens new possibilities for therapies aimed at preventing plaque formation in the brain. Targeting both neurons and glial cells could slow the disease’s progression by inhibiting amyloid beta production before plaques form.

A study reveals that demonstratives like 'this' and 'that' not only indicate distance but also direct attention, linking language to social cognition. Researchers found that the meaning of demonstratives varies across languages and is influenced by the listener's focus. This study involved speakers of ten languages and used computational modeling to understand these dynamics. The findings suggest that attention manipulation is an inherent part of language, embedded in demonstratives.