For over 15 years, Dr Anthony Shum, a pulmonologist at the University of California, San Francisco has been studying a rare genetic disorder called the COPA Syndrome. It stands for coatomer subunit alpha and is a rare, inherited disorder that affects the lungs, joint, and kidney. The National Organization for Rare Disorder also notes that it is a genetic autoimmune disorder that is caused by mutations in the COPA gene. This disease affects families unpredictably—some individuals with the mutation develop severe lung damage early in life, while others remain completely healthy. Now, Shum’s team has discovered a protective genetic variant that may offer new hope for treatment.

A Breakthrough

Researchers found that some relatives of COPA Syndrome patients stayed healthy despite carrying the same COPA gene mutation that causes the disease. The key difference? These unaffected individuals had a protective version of another gene called HAQ-STING.

When scientists introduced HAQ-STING into diseased lung cells from COPA patients, the cells returned to a balanced state, suggesting that this gene could be used as a therapy.

“We really think HAQ-STING could be a gene therapy tool and a step toward a cure,” said Shum, whose findings were published in the Journal of Experimental Medicine.

Families Who Solved The Mystery

Shum’s journey into COPA Syndrome research began in 2011 when he treated a young woman, Letasha, who had severe lung bleeding. Her mother, Betty Towe, mentioned that Letasha’s sister, Kristina, had suffered from similar symptoms. Over the years, Betty had taken both daughters on a four-hour trip to UCSF for treatment. After tracing their family history, Shum discovered that their distant relatives in Texas and Oakland also had lung problems and arthritis. In 2015, Shum, along with scientists from Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children’s Hospital identified the COPA gene mutation. They realized that it was the common factor behind the illness. However, only some of the 30 individuals with the mutation actually developed symptoms, leaving a major question unanswered.

The Domino Effect

It was established that it occurs when a mutated COPA gene causes another gene STING to go overdrive. The STING that helps fight infections in COPA patients, remain permanently active, which leads to chronic inflammation that damages the lungs, kidneys, and joints. In 2020, while studying STING’s role in the disease, researchers discovered a key variation: HAQ-STING. This version of STING, present in about one-third of the population, appeared to neutralize the harmful effects of the COPA mutation.

To confirm their theory, the scientists needed both affected and unaffected family members to participate in the testing. Letasha, Kristina and Betty immediately volunteered. The researchers then analyzed DNA samples from 26 COPA patients and their healthy relatives. They also conducted CT scans and blood tests to ensure that unaffected members did not have any hidden symptoms. When the findings were all clear, it was revealed that all the healthy individuals had HAQ-STING, while none of the COPA patients did. This was the first known case of a common gene variant completely protecting against a severe genetic disease.

Encouraged by this discovery, researchers tested HAQ-STING’s effects in a lab setting. They introduced it into diseased lung cells from COPA patients, and the cells returned to normal function.

Way Ahead

Shum believes HAQ-STING could lead to game-changing treatments, including:

• Prenatal gene therapy for babies diagnosed with COPA Syndrome before birth
• Aerosol delivery of HAQ-STING for adults, directly targeting the lungs

Before publishing their findings, Shum called Betty with the news—her own HAQ-STING gene had protected her from the disease. He also informed Letasha and Kristina, who were overwhelmed with relief and joy.

“We always believed Dr. Shum would get to the bottom of it,” said Letasha. “This discovery is going to change lives.”

Learning a second or even a third language may do more than expand your communication skills. According to a new study presented at the Federation of European Neuroscience Societies (FENS) Forum 2026 in Barcelona, learning a new language could also help keep your brain younger as you age.

The findings of the study say that people who speak multiple languages have brains that appear biologically younger than those who speak only one language. The research added to the growing evidence that multilingualism has a beneficial effect on healthy cognitive ageing.

About The Study

To investigate how language affects the ageing brain, researchers analysed brain activity in adults living in Spain's multilingual Basque region.

They used magnetoencephalography (MEG), a non-invasive brain imaging technique that records the brain's electrical activity, along with artificial intelligence (AI) to ascertain each participant's brain age.

Rather than relying on a person's actual age, the AI model assessed how well different regions of the brain communicated with one another, a key marker that normally weakens with age.

Researchers first trained the AI using brain scans from 728 adults with varying language abilities before validating the findings in an independent group of 144 participants.

Read more: Normal Ageing or Alzheimer's? Doctors Explain Six Key Differences to Watch For

The results revealed an association between multilingualism and a younger-looking brain. Compared with people who spoke only one language, bilingual participants had brains that appeared around six years younger. Those who spoke three languages had brains that looked approximately seven years younger, while participants fluent in four languages had brains that appeared up to 13 years younger.

Researcher Lucia Amoruso, deputy scientific director at the Basque Center on Cognition, Brain and Language in San Sebastián, Spain, said, “In simple terms, people who spoke more languages tended to have brains that looked younger than expected for their chronological age.”

The researchers also found that language proficiency mattered. People who learned additional languages earlier in life and became more fluent showed even greater differences in brain age.

Is Multilingualism The Key To Keep Your Brain Younger?

Scientists believe speaking multiple languages provides the brain with a constant mental workout. Regularly switching between languages requires attention, memory, problem-solving and cognitive control, all of which strengthen the neural networks involved in thinking and decision-making.

This exercise may help maintain stronger communication between brain regions, increasing the brain's resilience against age-related decline.

While the team considered factors like age, sex, and education, multilingual individuals may also be more likely to engage in other habits that are beneficial for the brain.

Although the findings are encouraging, the researchers say that the study does not prove that learning another language directly slows brain ageing or prevents dementia. Experts say further long-term studies are needed to determine whether multilingualism can reduce the risk of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease.

Despite the need for more research, scientists say the findings offer another compelling reason to learn a new language. Whether through formal classes, language-learning apps or everyday conversations, developing language skills could provide meaningful mental stimulation throughout life.

Completing cancer treatment is often imagined as the moment life returns to normal. The final chemotherapy session ends, follow-up scans show encouraging results, and the long-awaited words, “You’re in remission,” bring immense relief. Family and friends celebrate the milestone, expecting life to pick up where it left off.

Yet for many survivors, the end of treatment marks the beginning of a different journey. The hospital visits may become less frequent, but new questions often take their place. Will energy levels ever return? Is it normal to still feel anxious before every check-up? How does one rebuild a life that has been profoundly changed by illness?

Life After Cancer

Life after cancer is not simply about surviving; it is about learning to live well again. This phase is an opportunity to focus not only on physical recovery but also on emotional healing, meaningful relationships, and rediscovering a sense of purpose. Survivorship is not defined by the absence of disease alone; it is measured by the quality of life that follows.

During treatment, every decision revolves around cancer. Appointments, medications, scans, and side effects dominate daily life. Once treatment ends, the focus gradually shifts from fighting the disease to rebuilding health and well-being. This transition, often referred to as survivorship care, is about moving from crisis management to long-term wellness.

The goal is no longer simply to eliminate cancer cells, but to create a life that feels fulfilling and meaningful. Survivors are encouraged to focus on three things treatment itself cannot provide: strength, joy, and a renewed sense of control.

Quality of life after cancer extends far beyond follow-up scans and medical reports. It encompasses physical, emotional, social, and practical well-being. Paying attention to each of these areas can help survivors thrive rather than merely cope.

Physical Recovery After Cancer Treatment

Physically, the body often needs time to recover from the effects of chemotherapy, surgery, radiation, or hormone therapy. Fatigue, reduced stamina, neuropathy, weight changes, and muscle loss are common challenges. Regular movement plays a critical role in recovery.

Experts recommend at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise each week, along with two sessions of strength training to rebuild muscle and improve energy levels. For survivors experiencing lymphedema, pelvic floor concerns, or mobility limitations, working with a physiotherapist can provide targeted support. A balanced diet rich in protein also helps restore strength and independence.

Emotional Recovery Post Cancer Treatment

Emotional recovery deserves equal attention. Fear of recurrence, anxiety before follow-up scans, survivor's guilt, and grief for the life that existed before diagnosis are all common experiences.

These feelings are not symptoms of weakness; they are natural responses to a life-changing event. Seeking support from a psycho-oncologist, counsellor, or support group can significantly improve emotional well-being. Even simple practices such as mindfulness, journaling, or spending a few quiet minutes each day focusing on the present moment can help reduce stress and build resilience.

Cancer's Impact On Relationships And Financial Pressures

Cancer can also reshape relationships. Some friendships may change, while family members and partners may continue adjusting to roles they adopted during treatment.

Open conversations about needs, limitations, and expectations can help strengthen these relationships. Reconnecting with supportive people, participating in survivor communities, or mentoring newly diagnosed patients can create a sense of belonging and purpose. Healing is often easier when it happens in the company of others.

Practical concerns can persist long after treatment ends. Financial pressures, career interruptions, insurance challenges, and concerns about returning to work can affect overall well-being. Seeking guidance from social workers, financial counsellors, or patient support organizations can help survivors navigate these issues. In India, government initiatives such as Ayushman Bharat, state-level healthcare schemes, and various non-governmental organizations may offer valuable assistance.

Challenges Of Survivors

One of the greatest challenges survivors face is the expectation of returning to the person they were before cancer. However, recovery is not about going back; it is about moving forward. A new normal often emerges, the one shaped by deeper self-awareness, healthier boundaries, and a greater appreciation for everyday moments.

Many long-term survivors describe experiencing what experts call post-traumatic growth. They report stronger relationships, clearer priorities, and a renewed sense of purpose. They become more intentional about how they spend their time and energy, recognizing that health and meaningful experiences deserve as much attention as professional achievements.

The first year after treatment is a time of adjustment. Establishing healthy routines, gradually resuming work and hobbies, staying consistent with follow-up appointments, and setting goals unrelated to cancer can help restore confidence. Whether it is taking a short trip, learning a new skill, planting a garden, or simply enjoying time with loved ones, these experiences remind survivors that life extends beyond medical milestones.

Risk of New Symptoms

At the same time, wellness does not mean ignoring new symptoms. Persistent pain, unexplained weight loss, unusual bleeding, ongoing fatigue, or symptoms of anxiety and depression that last more than two weeks should be discussed with a healthcare provider. Survivorship care is an essential part of recovery, and seeking help when needed is a sign of self-care, not concern.

Cancer may have changed the course of life, but it does not define its future. The chapter after treatment may look different from the one that came before, but it can still be rich with meaning, connection, and hope.

The treatment phase was about fighting to survive. The next phase is about discovering what makes life meaningful again. It is about protecting quality of life with the same determination that carried survivors through treatment—because surviving cancer is not only about living longer, but about living well.

Millions of people around the world undergo blood tests every year to measure LDL, commonly known as "bad" cholesterol. But researchers now suggest that this standard test may not always provide the most accurate picture of heart disease risk.

A new study from Northwestern Medicine found that a blood test measuring apolipoprotein B (ApoB) may be better than LDL cholesterol testing for identifying people who need more intensive treatment to reduce their risk of heart attacks and strokes.

The researchers also found that using ApoB to guide treatment decisions could prevent more cardiovascular events while remaining cost-effective for healthcare systems. The findings were published in the journal JAMA.

"We found that ApoB testing to intensify cholesterol-lowering medication would prevent more heart attacks and strokes than current practice, and that these health benefits were achieved at a cost that represents good value for US healthcare payers," said study lead author Ciaran Kohli-Lynch, Assistant Professor of Preventive Medicine in the Division of Epidemiology at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine.

ApoB vs LDL: What's the Difference?

Also read: Confused By Your Cholesterol Report? Here's What LDL And ApoB Really Mean

Doctors have traditionally relied on LDL ("bad") cholesterol and non-HDL cholesterol levels to assess heart disease risk and decide when patients should begin or intensify cholesterol-lowering treatment. While these tests provide useful information, researchers say they do not tell the whole story.

The difference lies in what the two tests measure:

• LDL cholesterol test: Measures the amount of LDL cholesterol in the blood.
• ApoB test: Measures the number of cholesterol-carrying particles—including LDL and other potentially harmful particles—that can enter artery walls and contribute to plaque buildup.

"Research strongly shows that apolipoprotein B (ApoB) is better at identifying who is at risk because it counts the total number of harmful particles in the blood," Kohli-Lynch said.

According to the researchers, the number of harmful particles may provide a more accurate measure of cardiovascular risk than LDL cholesterol levels alone.

What Is ApoB?

Read More: US Cardiologist Explains Why 2026 AHA Cholesterol Guidelines Recommend Starting Young

In a post on X, Dr. Sudhir, Senior Consultant Neurologist at the Institute of Neurosciences, Apollo Hospitals, Hyderabad, explained that ApoB is a protein found on potentially harmful cholesterol-carrying particles such as LDL and VLDL (very low-density lipoprotein).

"Think of ApoB as a count of the particles capable of entering artery walls and causing plaque. One ApoB is equal to one potentially harmful particle," he said.

Dr. Sudhir explained that two people can have the same LDL cholesterol level but very different numbers of cholesterol-carrying particles. The person with more particles will usually have a higher ApoB level and, potentially, a greater risk of cardiovascular disease.

He added that ApoB often provides a more accurate assessment of heart disease risk than LDL cholesterol alone.

Despite growing evidence supporting ApoB, the test is still not widely used in routine clinical practice because it generally requires an additional blood test beyond the standard cholesterol panel, increasing both cost and inconvenience.

"Our study asked: Is it worth spending extra money to use ApoB instead of LDL to guide treatment intensification?" Kohli-Lynch said.

Dr. Sudhir suggested that ApoB testing should be considered for:

• people with diabetes,
• prediabetes,
• metabolic syndrome,
• obesity,
• elevated triglycerides,
• strong family history of heart disease.

New Cholesterol Guidelines

Earlier this year, the American Heart Association and 10 other medical organisations released updated guidelines recommending that many people begin cholesterol-lowering therapy at younger ages.

"This means it is increasingly important to accurately identify who would benefit most from intensive treatment," Kohli-Lynch said.

The updated guidelines also recommend measuring ApoB, particularly in people with high triglycerides, diabetes or in situations where LDL cholesterol levels may underestimate the number of harmful cholesterol-carrying particles.