Clinical relevance of miRNAs as biomarkers is growing due to their stability and detection in biofluids. This study has identified miR-519a-3p as a potential early biomarker for Alzheimer’s, linked to prion protein expression. This molecule is directly associated with the expression of the cellular prion protein located on the surface of nerve cells. miR-519a-3p may potentially be used as a biomarker of preclinical stages of the disease.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0925443924001765?via%3Dihub (open access)
This is important because because it’s easily measurable, comparable, and likely to be unique. This was not the case with the Amyloid Plaque route of research (recently announced to be retracted due to falsified imaging in the original studies) where it could exist in non-Alzheimer patients in similarly measurable quantities. Takes a lot of the guesswork out.
Science fucking rules.
Why in the fuck would you falsify data in something this important? People are gonna find you out instantly when they try your shit and nothing changes.
Research grants. Money. Career. That’s pretty much it. The guy who did it is unremorseful as well, which really pisses me off.
I’d think any sane society, business, or institution would blacklist him / remove any certifications he has, sue him, and possibly other courses of legal action like fraud.