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The vision of the Life Sciences Division is to advance basic knowledge, and the health of humans and the biosphere, by elucidating the 4-Dimensional dynamics of complex biological systems -- ranging from molecules to microbes to humans.

Research Highlight

Lifelong Brain-Stimulating Habits Linked to Lower Alzheimer's Protein Levels

A new study conducted provides even more reason for people to read a book or do a puzzle, and to make such activities a lifetime habit. Brain scans revealed that people with no symptoms of Alzheimer's who engaged in cognitively stimulating activities throughout their lives had fewer deposits of beta-amyloid, a destructive protein that is the hallmark of the disease. Bill Jagust and Susan Landau of the Life Sciences Division are among the co-authors of the study.

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Research Highlight

New Findings Could Impact Breast Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment

Mina Bissell of the Life Sciences Division led an international collaboration in a breast cancer study that found that luminal-like breast cancer cells with no detectable stem cell qualities can generate larger tumors than their basal-like counterparts. This may hold important implications for the diagnosis and the treatment of breast cancer as well as future personalized cancer medicine.

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