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Researchers link early cell death in Alzheimer's and delayed death in cancer to shifts in programmed self-destruction. In eLife, Randal Halfmann's team shows "death fold" proteins unleash energy like hand warmers crystallizing, triggering rapid polymerization that kills immune cells. The same hair-trigger chemistry may help explain how misfolded amyloid harms neurons. Scientists, including Douglas Green, are exploring ways to slow or block these pathways—Halfmann with an antifreeze-like strategy to hinder crystal formation, and biotech firms with antisense drugs aimed at death-fold pathways tied to inflammation and neurodegeneration.

Prepared by Olivia Bennett and reviewed by editorial team.