Zombie cells are those that have outlived their usefulness, but don’t really die. CREDIT: Natthawat via Getty Images. Get the Popular Science daily newsletter💡 Your skin is crawling with zombies. Zombie skin cells, that is. This sci-fi sounding term is used to describe senescent skin cells that have outlived their usefulness, but don’t ever really die. While some senescent cells can cause problems like inflammation and speeding up aging elsewhere in the body, others can help the immune system heal wounds.  Now, we may know why zombie skin cells have this double agent-esque existence. Not all senescent skin cells are the same. There are actually three subtypes, with distinct shapes, biomarkers, and functions. Understanding the differences could help scientists target the harmful types of cells while leaving the helpful ones. The findings are described in a study published April 25 in the journal Science Advances. “We’ve known that senescent skin cells are different from senescent immune cells or senescent muscle cells. But within a cell type, senescent cells are often considered the same—in essence, skin cells are either senescent or not, for example,” Jude Phillip, a study co-author and biomedical engineer at Johns Hopkins University, said in a statement. “But we’re finding that when a skin cell goes into senescence, or a zombie-like state, the cell could go down one of three different paths, each leading to a slightly different subtype.” Comparing skin cells In the new study, the team used machine learning and imaging technology to compare skin cell samples. The samples came from 50 healthy donors between the ages of 20 and 90 who participated in the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging. This NIH-funded project is the longest ongoing study of aging in the United States. The team extracted cells called fibroblasts from the skin. Fibroblasts produce the internal scaffolding that give skin tissues their structure. They pushed the fibroblasts towards senescence by damaging their DNA, which happens with aging. Senescent cells build up naturally as people grow older, so the aged samples in the lab eventually contained a mixture of healthy/nonsenescent and senescent fibroblasts.  Next, they used specialized dyes to capture images of the cells’ shapes and stained the elements that are known to indicate senescent cells. The algorithms developed for the study then analyzed the images, measuring 87 different physical characteristics for each cell, and sorting the fibroblasts into groups. Skin-related fibroblasts with nuclei stained green and f-actin stained red. CREDIT: Jude Phillip, Johns Hopkins University. The three types of ‘zombie cells’ They found that fibroblasts come in 11 different shapes and sizes. Three of these are distinct to senescent skin cells and the researchers labeled them C7, C10, and C11. Only one subtype of senescent fibroblast–C10–was more prevalent in older donors.  To look closer, the team placed each subtype into petri dishes and exposed them to the existing drug regimens designed to target and kill zombie cells. Each subtype responded differently when exposed to these therapeutics. For example, Dasatinib + Quercetin, a drug currently being tested in clinical trials, most effectively killed C7 senescent fibroblasts. However, Dasatinib + Quercetinbut was more limited in killing the age-associated C10 senescent fibroblasts.  While more research is needed to verify which fibroblast subtype is harmful and which is helpful, the results here show that drugs can target one subtype and not the others. More harmful zombie cells can contribute to aging-related diseases including dementia, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes as well.  “With our new findings, we have the tools ready to develop new drugs or therapies that preferentially target the senescence subtype that drives inflammation and disease as soon as it is identified,” Phillip said. Applications in cancer treatments In the future, more precise targeting of senescence could benefit cancer treatments. Researchers are tailoring certain therapies to trigger senescence in cancer cells, by converting the uncontrollably replicating cancer cells into zombie cells. These types of therapies could stop tumor growth, but leave senescent cells in their wake.  Conventional chemotherapies also move cells like fibroblasts towards senescence as a side effect. For patients, this buildup of senescent cells can be problematic, as those cells may promote inflammation when the immune system is at its most vulnerable.  Patients can also benefit from drugs given after chemotherapy that works like a precise zombie cell broom and sweeps up the messy cells, while leaving the more helpful ones behind. These types of treatments are called senotherapies. The team from this study plans to look at senescence subtypes in tissue samples beyond the lab to see how those three subtypes might be associated with skin diseases and age-associated diseases. “We hope, with some more development, our technology will be used to help predict which drugs might work well for targeting senescent cells that contribute to specific diseases,” Phillip said. “Eventually, the dream is to be able to provide more information in a clinical setting to help with individual diagnoses and boost health outcomes.”

Nature, Published online: 25 April 2025; doi:10.1038/d41586-025-01272-zLike the Star Wars planet, a distant world follows a path around two stars, both of them small, cool bodies called brown dwarfs.

April 25, 2025: Our weekly roundup of the latest science in the news, as well as a few fascinating articles to keep you entertained over the weekend.

My animation skills could certainly be improved, but I think I did pretty well with the graphics. I think I've finally reached a point where I can make half-decent meme/shitpost videos in Blender! I'm hoping to make this into a goofy little series, so ideas for future videos are welcomed. 🙂 submitted by /u/TheWorkshopWarrior [link] [comments]

Anton Kazakov told us how the concept art of this sporting small caliber rifle with subtle hints of futurism was modeled in 3DCoat, and textured, animated, and rendered in KeyShot.Read the interview: https://80.lv/articles/how-to-model-texture-animate-a-stylized-sporting-rifle-with-3dcoat-keyshot/

RT HUXLEY®Kai, besides being an efficient Ronin, is also cool as hell.

Time to end the slaughter

Madhav Suresh's Malayalam film  Kummattikali is all set for its OTT release. The Malayalam film features Madhav Suresh, son of Suresh Gopi, who is in the lead role. It has the fans rolling through his theatre release. Now, it is all set for its OTT release. Here's what you need to know about the movie before you watch it online.Directed by Tamil filmmaker R.K. Vincent Selva, known for hits like Priyamudan and Youth, this film is set against a coastal backdrop and delves into the lives.The narrative combines elements of romance, action, and humor, featuring Madhav Suresh in the lead role of Denny.Kummattikali's OTT Release Date and Where to Watch?Kummattikali, the Malayalam movie featuring Madhav Suresh, was released in theatres last October. Now, the movie is all set for its OTT release. It will be available on Manoramamax.Official Trailer and Plot of Kummattikali'sCovering the story around the vibrant coastal Kummattikali festival, and the story of a group of four friends named Dennis, Luka, Bhairavan, and Ameer, who are also called the Kummati Boys. The tale turns unexpectedly when the four get caught in a criminal offence.Devika Satheesh and Yami Sona play the female leads in this action drama. Mithun Prakash, Rashik Ajmal, Dhananjay, Lena, Mime Gopi, Antony Dinesh, Azeez Nedumangad, Major Ravi, Sarish, and Sanjeev Jeevan are among the supporting cast members of this action drama.Madhav plays the character of Dennis, a young boy living on the coastline and a member of the Kummati Boys Gang. He also portrays a strong character against the group stealing the community's money. He, along with his four brothers and raised very lovingly by his mother, Lena, is depicted.Cast and Crew of Kummattikali'sMadhav Suresh is in the lead role and plays Dennis's role. The female lead cast is Yami Sona and Devika Satheesh in Jomol and Maria, respectively. While Mithun Prakash, Rashik Ajmal DhanajayMime Gopi, Antony Dinesh, Azeez Nedumangad, Major Ravi, Sarish, and Sanjeev Jeevan are in the supporting cast.The movie's writing screen display direction is by R.K. Vincent Selva. Ramesh Ammanath writes the movie's dialogues. The film's cinematographer, Venkiy V. Noble, choreographed it. The movie's art director is Riyad V. Jackson Vijayan Sumesh Parmasheshwaran, who provides the original score, and Johan Shrevansh is responsible for the background score. The stunt scenes and choreography are by Phoenix Prafu and Mafia Sasi. Manohar designs the costumes; the makeup artist is the iconic Pradeep Rangan.Reception of KummattikaliThe movie contains some glimpses and footage of Kummattikali, or mask dance, a traditional dance of the state. The movie raised many expectations, mainly from his father, Suresh Gopi's fans.

News Days Gone Remastered is Out Now on PS5 The remaster features graphical improvements and accessibility features alongside Horde Assault, Permadeath and Speedrun modes. Posted By Ravi Sinha | On 25th, Apr. 2025 Days Gone Remastered, an enhanced version of Bend Studio’s 2019 open-world title, is now available on PS5. Retailing for $49.99, owners of the PS4 original can upgrade for $10. PC players can also pick up Broken Road, a DLC that includes all the new content for $10. Check out the launch trailer below. Alongside visual improvements and PS5 Pro support, the remaster’s main appeal is the new content, particularly Horde Assault. The arcade-like experience involves surviving in the world for as long as possible against increasingly challenging Freakers. Hordes are larger than ever, and negative Injectors result in more harrowing fights. However, there are also positive Injectors for gaining an edge, and as you level up, new cosmetics and playable characters become available. Days Gone Remastered also adds Permadeath and Speedrun Modes, and new settings for Photo Mode, like time of day, new logos and a three-point lighting system. High Contrast Mode, UI narration, fully remappable controls, and other accessibility features are also included. Check out our feature for everything you should know before buying. Tagged With: Atomfall Publisher:Rebellion Developments Developer:Rebellion Developments Platforms:PS5, Xbox Series X, PS4, Xbox One, PCView More Monster Hunter Wilds Publisher:Capcom Developer:Capcom Platforms:PS5, Xbox Series X, PCView More South of Midnight Publisher:Microsoft Developer:Compulsion Games Platforms:Xbox Series X, PCView More Amazing Articles You Might Want To Check Out! Ghost of Yōtei is “The Most Open World We’ve Ever Made,” Says Sucker Punch "One of the greatest joys is just getting lost. You let your curiosity guide you through the landscape," per c... Days Gone Remastered is Out Now on PS5 The remaster features graphical improvements and accessibility features alongside Horde Assault, Permadeath an... Resident Evil 9 Seemingly Teased in Resident Evil 4 Remake Celebratory Video The Roman numeral for "9" is distinctly seen, perhaps hinting at a potential upcoming announcement for the nex... Resistance: Fall of Man, Resistance 2 are Leaving PS Plus Premium Catalog in May This means that, from May 20 onwards, the only way to play the original Resistance and its sequel will be with... Nintendo Switch 2 – Majority of Japanese Customers Reportedly Opting for Region-Locked Version Only 2.9 percent of the surveyed Japanese Switch 2 customers are opting to pay ¥20,000 more to get their hand... The Crew 2 Offline Mode is a “Hybrid Way to Play the Game” – Ubisoft Development on the offline mode for The Crew 2 has been going smoothly, and the studio plans to launch it some... View More