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Researchers say they found new type of Parkinson's disease

May 29, 2022 (NHK) - A group of researchers says it has found a new type of Parkinson's disease apparently induced by a different protein from the one known to cause the disease.

Parkinson's disease is a neurodegenerative disorder that causes unintended or uncontrollable movements, such as shaking of limbs or stiffness. It is generally thought that accumulation of an abnormal protein known as alpha-Synuclein in the brain contributes to the disease.

The group including Osaka University Associate Professor Bekku Gouichi examined brain samples of a Parkinson's patient donated posthumously and detected an accumulation of TDP-43, a different protein from alpha-Synuclein.

TDP-43 protein has been linked to other nervous disorders, but it has never been reported that it could independently induce Parkinson's disease.

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Large and powerful Typhoon No. 9 (Bavi) has made landfall in central China and is moving northwest, bringing an end to the worst of the rain across Okinawa while leaving dangerous seas and strong winds in its wake. Forecasters are also warning that the system could trigger heavy rain in Hokkaido later this week after transitioning into an extratropical cyclone.

Transport disruption from Typhoon No. 9 (Bavi) continued on July 12, with airlines warning that some flights serving Okinawa’s outlying islands could still face delays, cancellations or conditional operations even after the storm moved away from the prefecture.

JAXA successfully landed a small experimental vehicle for a reusable rocket on July 11, marking a step toward technology that could increase the frequency of space launches while helping reduce costs.

A wave of bear sightings across Japan has forced the cancellation of traditional summer events, while one animal entered a home and came within inches of a sleeping resident's face.

Japan is expected to remain under intense summer heat through next week as the Pacific high-pressure system continues to dominate the country, bringing widespread temperatures above 30 degrees Celsius and increasing the risk of heatstroke.

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