Category Archives: Human Longevity

It is an act of cruelty for the BBC to re-launch The Apprentice within days of the new year. Here we are, drawing up lists of resolutions and embarking on life laundries, when in barges the countrys most stubbornly static TV programme, one as dedicated to same-ness as we are to annual betterment. Considering its been on for nearly 20 years and shows no signs of trying to evolve, its probably a lot smarter than we are. And if were being honest, Alan Sugars groaning factory of capitalist delusion will probably outlive us all, too.

The key to the shows longevity remains its contestants, who run the gamut of mortifying to not quite as mortifying. The 16 entrepreneurs duking it out for Lord Sugars approval this year embody well-worn Apprentice types: the bolshy hun; the rugby lad; the harried mum; the wide-eyed eccentric. Standouts so far include financier Akeem, a petrified owl of a person whose brightest idea this week is a logo featuring a bizarre half-man, half-wave. It gets compared to everything from a rotten banana to human faeces. He must be protected at all costs.

Theres also shop owner Stephanie, who helpfully explains why she thinks a cruise ship emblem should be coloured blue (Because its a colour associated with the sea), and Nicki Minaj superfan Navid, a pharmacist whose anti-vax tweets had been unearthed before the series had even begun. Asked here why that aforementioned half-man logo is coloured like the contents of a toilet bowl, he too masters the art of pointing out the bleeding obvious: So you know trees? he asks a bemused marketing expert. Its brown, and then its green because of the leaves, and when it comes to healthy living and lifestyle, its all to do with greenery.

The task at hand is to film an advert for a new line of cruise ships, with the episode ticking off a host of classic Apprentice tropes as it trundles along. Unnecessarily shouty conflict? Check! Green screen errors? Check! Eerily upbeat American comparing themselves to Steven Spielberg? Check! Besides the gentle if bland presence of series one winner Tim Campbell as one of Lord Sugars advisors Claude Littner has had to sit this series out due to a bicycle accident youd be forgiven for wondering if this was a repeat from years ago.

But thats also this shows genius. You have to admire its eternal skill at finding budding moguls devoid of raw ability but overflowing with unearned hubris (Im so confident that some people think Im deluded, boasts a candidate nicknamed The AK-47). Likewise, the increasingly surreal Lord Sugar, whose signature gags have become as predictable (In this boardroom you dont get furloughed, you get fired!) as they are confusing (You sound like Donald Trump he was also a very collaborative leader!). No matter the state of the world, or however many genuinely monstrous people The Apprentice has foisted upon it over the years, theres something undeniably cosy about its lack of growth. Why fix whats always been broken?

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The Apprentice review: Alan Sugars groaning factory of capitalist delusion will outlive us all - Yahoo News

NHS Digital figures for England show an increase in admissions in all parts of the UK, with the pandemic also having an effect on inpatient treatment. From April to October 2021, there were 4,238 hospital eating disorder admissions for children aged 17 and below up 41 percent from 3,005 in the same period of 2020. The figure is 69 percent higher than 2019s the year before Covid hit when there were 2,508 admissions for those aged 17 and below.

Dr Agnes Ayton, of the Royal College of Psychiatrists said: We cannot afford to let this go on. Early intervention is key to recovery and prevention, which is why its crucial the money announced by the Government urgently reaches the front line. The Government must also deliver a workforce plan to tackle shortages in eating disorder services so they have enough staff to treat everyone who needs help.

Tom Madders, from the mental health charity YoungMinds, said: The impact of the last two years has left many young people isolated, uncertain about the future and with less control over their lives. Its clear the Government must re-double its efforts and ensure that it improves access to NHS services.

Overall, there were 23,302 admissions for eating disorders among all age groups in the financial year 2020/21. This represents an increase of 13 percent from 20,647 in 2019/20 and up 21 percent on the 19,244 from 2018/19.

Tom Quinn, of eating disorders charity Beat, said: The number of hospital admissions is only the tip of the iceberg, and there are many other people needing support. We urge the Government to publish data about the number of adults waiting for and accessing treatment, so we can better understand the scale of demand and assess what improvements are needed.

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Charity urges government to publish eating disorders waiting lists - newsconcerns

SAN DIEGO, Jan. 6, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- When CEO James Schmachtenberger founded Neurohacker Collective in 2015, he was hoping to popularize an entirely new approach to nutritional formulations. Specifically, James sought to factor in overlooked considerations, such as ingredient synergies, and how to offer health formulas which support the body's normal regulatory capacities without overriding them for a shortsighted effect. In an even more ambitious sense, he hoped to enhance the mental and physical capacities of humanity to withstand the increasingly intense demands of the modern world.*

6 years later, Neurohacker Collective, and its Qualia brand supplements, have exploded in popularity, both nationally and internationally. The San Diego Business Journal just named Neurohacker Collective one of the top 2 San Diego based health and wellness brands in the Small Business category in terms of recent revenue growth, as well as 2nd in top line revenue in the Small Business category across all industries.

The Qualia brand began its focus on mental performance and brain health supplementation (known as nootropics), which inspired the name Neurohacker Collective. But as their science team has grown in both expertise and resources, they've expanded their product lineup to include many additional health focuses, such as aging, sleep, skin, immune health, and more.*

"We're excited about our continuing pace of growth," says Schmachtenberger of the recent honor. "Our profits are allowing reinvestment in research and development, which is resulting in new product options for consumers in 2022 and beyond. It's also been exciting to see our focus on having a cultural identity within health and wellness continuing to distinguish our brand loyalty."

That broad focus on building culture, rather than only products, has included the development of an increasingly popular science podcast called Collective Insights. The podcast has attracted A-list health luminaries and thought leaders such as Tristan Harris, Dr. Andrew Weil, Deepak Chopra, Dr. Molly Maloof, Ken Wilber, Dr. Steven Gundry, and many more.

Neurohacker has also invested in a growing blog and science literature repository on their website, as well as brand partnerships with top tier health influencers like Dave Asprey, Ben Greenfield, and Thomas DeLauer. They even have a beta-testing community to provide feedback and community assessment data on potential new products.

"Our overarching mission is to provide tools to support mental, physical, and emotional wellbeing*, as a separate consideration from whether someone buys our products," states Schmachtenberger. "If providing free educational resources makes our formulation techniques more appreciated, then it benefits product sales. Regardless, providing consumers with free educational resources to optimize the health of their body and mind, reflects the spirit that founded Neurohacker, and we want to stay true to that broader mission."

2022 promises to be a big year at Neurohacker Collective, with at least three new products scheduled to debut with the support of record profits in 2021. As Neurohacker Collective and the Qualia brand goes increasingly global, they hope to inspire other wellness brands to take their broad approach of providing education and cultural identity beyond just products.

"I didn't start Neurohacker with a particular product vision," James states. "The vision had far more to do with human potential, and what type of team I could assemble in service to advancing that potential. Education and culture are as central to human wellness as products are, and so all three will remain a focus of Neurohacker for the foreseeable future."

About Neurohacker Collective

Neurohacker Collectivewas founded in 2015 with the mission to advance human quality of life by creating best-in-class well-being products. Neurohacker Collective's products are radically different because they employ a unique methodology to research and development based on complex systems science. This scientific approach focuses on supporting the body's ability to self-regulate. The company began with a focus on cognitive products and nootropics with the launch of Qualia Mind and has since developed products to support sleep, longevity, skin, energy, vision and immune health.* Learn more about their scientific approachby going to neurohacker.com.

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, cure, or prevent any disease.

SOURCE Neurohacker Collective

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San Diego Business Journal Honors Neurohacker Collective Among Top Startups - PRNewswire

Crab Bank, an island inCharleston Harbor, South Carolina,has been a critical nesting spot and refuge for birds for decades.But years of erosion, and thena brutal storm and high tide in 2018, washed much of island away, and the area went from supporting 5,000 nests yearly tozero. Local conservation groups, including Audubon South Carolina, have discussed the need torestore Crab Bank for years, and in 2021 it finally happened. After a very busy fall in Charleston Harbor, this spring shorebirds will find 32-acres of brand new island around Crab Bank.

Luck or chance were in Crab Banks favor when it came to its restoration, because when the island needed new sediment the most, the Charleston Harbor Deepening Project was also launched just a couple of miles away. That project, which will increase the depth of CharlestonHarbor from 45 feet to 52 feet, has already removed nearly 40 million cubic yards of sediment. And what better place to put someof that dredged sediment than on a nearby island desperate for it?

The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) first spotted the opportunity to restore Crab Bank using dredged sediment, says Nolan Schillerstrom, the coastal program associate at Audubon South Carolina.It wasnt until 2017 that the Army Corps of Engineers opened up a comment period for the beneficial use of dredged material as part of the Charleston Harbor Deepening project. They had three different [potential] options for the beneficial use of that trench material. One of those options was Crab Bank.

Audubon South Carolina joined partners like Coastal Conservation League, Coastal Expeditions Foundation, andSCDNRto make the project successful. According to Angelina Eisenhauer, interim executive director of Audubon South Carolina, one of Audubon's main roles in the effortwas securing the funding.

We submitted an application to have the whole project and island considered as a pilot program for the U.S Army Corps of Engineers Beneficial Use of Dredge Materials program, says Eisenhauer. We undertook a fundraising campaign, and we submitted an application for a coastal resilience National Fish and Wildlife Foundation grant.As a result of those efforts,Audubon South Carolinareceived $700,000 for Crab Bank fromthe National Coastal Resilience Fund.

As Audubon South Carolina and its partners continued to raise funds for the project, they also had to figure outthe best way to restore and stabilize Crab Bankwith natural infrastructure to ensure its longevity. This is another spot where fortunesmiled upon the project:the material dredged from the harbor was good for nesting and it was compatible with the existing island,in part because the original Crab Bank was built on dredge spoils fromthe 1950s.

One of the most amazing things about it was that the dredge material was suitable for nesting. The birds aren't too picky, but sometimesit is too toxic or not the right consistency, says Schillerstrom. It was just a really rare and awesome opportunity, a perfect scenario that the available sediment had what this island needed.

Over the course of eight weeks, the deepening project added600,000 cubic yards of dredgedmaterial to the eroded island, increasing its area from less than half an acreto 32 acres. Construction ended in late 2021.The natural vegetation that will grow on the island will help stabilize the island long-term, but Schillerstrom says there are no other stabilization plans until they observe how the first nesting season looks.

We certainly have it on our minds that it might be necessary to either add more sediment many years down the road or do something to give the island a better shot at staying around for longer, he adds.

And though this restoration project may be coming to a close, Schillerstrom saysthat this is just one step in helping coastal birds.Going forward,people will not be able to land on the island during nesting season and shorebird monitors will keep an eye out for any human or predator incusions,all in effort for the birds to have a productive nesting season once again at Crab Bank.

Human disturbance is one of the largest threats to coastal birds in South Carolina, and our Shorebirds Stewardship program is one of the best ways to get involved and volunteer to help, Schillerstrom says. If you can't volunteer, please consider donating to the program and help reduce the negative impacts of human disturbance to our nesting and resting coastal bird populations

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One Good Turn Deserves Another | Audubon - National Audubon Society

BOSTON, Jan. 5, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Life Biosciences, a pioneering life sciences company developing therapeutics that target the biology of aging, today announced the completion of a Series C financing of $82 million led by Alpha Wave Ventures. Senior management and founders invested in the Series C financing alongside longevity-oriented funds, seasoned investors, and experienced biotechnology scientists/entrepreneurs. Since its founding, Life Biosciences has raised over $158 million.

"Our three platforms are based on seminal research demonstrating that aging biology can be modified therapeutically. The Series C funding enables us to accelerate development of our innovative therapies for multiple aging-related conditions, and we expect to initiate first-in-human studies for our first drug candidate possibly as early as the end of 2022," said Chief Executive Officer Jerry McLaughlin. "We appreciate the support of both our new and existing investors as we advance the company to its next stage of development. Life Biosciences' experienced management team is committed to bringing potentially pioneering science to the service of humanity."

Proceeds from the Series C financing will be used to accelerate research and development activities in the company's three platforms that target fundamental biological mechanisms contributing to aging. The mitochondrial uncoupling platform is developing oral small molecules that are designed to increase metabolic rate and decrease fat accumulation in models of obesity and NASH. The chaperone-mediated autophagy (CMA) platform is developing oral small molecules that are designed to activate CMA and thereby remove unwanted proteins that accumulate during aging and contribute to multiple aging-related diseases including neurodegenerative diseases. The epigenetic reprogramming platform is developing therapies that are designed to induce the expression of three Yamanaka factors to reprogram the epigenome of cells to a younger state and thereby restore cellular function across a wide range of diseases such as glaucoma.

Commenting on the investment, Alpha Wave Global Chairman Rick Gerson added, "We are impressed by the groundbreaking science that has been published in leading and recently peer-reviewed journals like Nature and Cell by the company's co-founder and director David Sinclair and other founder scientists such as Dr. Ana Maria Cuervo. Their foundational science could revolutionize how we develop therapies for aging-related conditions. We are excited to invest in this emerging field and believe that Life Biosciences' experienced management team and exceptional science has the potential to unlock a new wave of therapies across their multiple platforms."

In addition, Life Biosciences announces the appointment of Bill Sullivan as Chief Financial Officer. Bill brings more than 25 years of experience in corporate finance, strategic transactions, fundraising, and investor relations. He served as Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer at Applied Genetic Technologies Corporation, a publicly traded gene therapy company, where he led multiple financings and core business and finance functions. Prior to AGTC, he worked at Merrimack Pharmaceuticals, Inc. for ten years and held a variety of important leadership positions including Chief Financial Officer.

"It's an honor to join the Life Biosciences team as the company pursues tremendous growth opportunities where aging biology has a clear link to disease pathogenesis," said Mr. Sullivan. "I'm energized by both the people and strong science at the company and look forward to working together with the management team to drive the next phase of growth."

"I couldn't be more delighted by the progress made by the Life Biosciences' team under Jerry's leadership to sharpen its focus on developing therapeutics on a platform-oriented approach. In my opinion, Life Biosciences is on the cusp of revolutionizing medicine for aging-related diseases globally," said Executive Chairman Dr. Mehmood Khan.

About Life BiosciencesLife Biosciences is a private biotechnology company dedicated to discovering and developing novel therapies to improve the lives of people as they age. The company is focusing on three platforms targeting key mechanisms underlying aging biology: mitochondrial uncoupling, chaperone-mediated autophagy, and epigenetic reprogramming. Therapies developed within each platform have the potential to prevent, treat, and/or reverse multiple aging-related diseases. For more information, please visit http://www.lifebiosciences.com.

About Alpha Wave GlobalAlpha Wave is a global investment company with offices in New York, Miami, London, Abu Dhabi, Tel Aviv, and Bangalore. Its flagship global venture and growth fund, Alpha Wave Ventures, aims to invest in best-in-class venture and growth-stage companies and endeavors to be helpful long-term partners to the founders and management teams. Alpha Wave manages a variety of investment partnerships that cover a number of asset classes, themes, and geographies. For more information, please visit http://www.alphawaveglobal.com.

Media ContactLife BiosciencesMaggie Farrandmedia@lifebiosciences.com

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Life Biosciences, Leading Developer of Therapeutics for Aging-Related Diseases, Completes $82 Million Series C Financing Round - BioSpace

Wausau Pilot & Review

Editors note: Business of the Week is a sponsored feature that shares the stories of locally-owned and operated businesses in the Wausau area, highlighting the products and services they offer and the ways they contribute to the metro areas unique flavor. Learn how to feature your business by emailing christina@wausaupilotandreview.com.

This weeks featured Wausau business is an organization that connects people, passion and resources for maximum local impact The Community Foundation of North Central Wisconsin. Led by President and CEO Tim Parker, the Foundation has a clear mission: to enhance the quality of life for the people of north central Wisconsin. The organization acts as a catalyst to design programs and identify issues in collaboration with other foundations, corporations, organizations and communities, while responsibly managing philanthropic assets. The leadership team includes Karla Lodhoz, director of donor services, a donors first connection to establishing a fund as a way to fulfill their philanthropic wishes and give back to the community. Program officer Sue Nelson is another key leader, with 33 years of experience in managing grants and strengthening nonprofits. Together, they engage in creative, sensitive grant making to enrich the communities they serve with a special emphasis on education, the arts, health and human services, and the preservation of historical, cultural and natural resources. Simply put, the Community Foundation of North Central Wisconsin provides people with a variety of easy, secure, and effective ways to give back to their communities, strengthening every aspect of life in our area for generations to come. Here is their story.

Q: When was the organization established?

A: On January 22, 1987, the Wausau Area Community Foundation was formed by a group of visionary individuals in the community (including names like John Ullrich, Stan Staples, Dwight Davis, Bart Kellnhauser, David Grade, Jim Lundberg, Mac McCormick, and Caroline Mark) who realized there was a need to build an endowment for the maintenance, enhancement, and enrichment of the greater Wausau area and Marathon County. The Foundations purpose is to connect the passions of people who want to give with the needs of nonprofits for local community impact.

Since its inception, the geographic reach of the Foundations work has expanded to communities beyond Marathon County like Merrill, Antigo, Minocqua, Boulder Junction, and Three Lakes. The name of the Foundation was changed to the Community Foundation of North Central Wisconsin, to more adequately reflect the donors we serve.

With 35-years experience, the Community Foundation leads and inspires philanthropy to enhance the quality of life for generations to come. The Community Foundation currently has over $85 million in assets and prudently manages 431 different funds. Through its commitment to excellence in donor investment, the Foundation received $6.3 million from donors in 2021 and distributed more than $7.4 million to support nonprofits throughout our area.

Q: What makes the Community Foundation unique?

A: The community foundation field is one of the fastest-growing philanthropic sectors in the United States. Community foundations build and strengthen communities in a multitude of ways, including providing the means for a wide range of donors to create funds to meet critical needs. Though the first community foundation was launched over 100 years ago in Cleveland, Ohio, today there are more than 750 community foundations in the United States.

Through professional management of donated assets, the Community Foundation is built to last and to be a permanent force in north central Wisconsin. This assures stability and longevity, and that all donations and funds will be used as the donor intended.

The Community Foundation, as its name indicates, is a foundation for the community or the community savings account. Assets totaling more than $85 million have been built up over time though donations from many sources individuals, corporations, and foundations. The Community Foundation allows anyone to be a donor. Through the generosity of our donors, we support programs and organizations that enhance every aspect of life in our area for generations to come. Earnings are used to support projects and programs, like the 400 Block, the Riverfront development, JoJos Jungle, and many more that make this a more vibrant and livable community.

In addition to being a funding resource, the Community Foundation is a leader in our nonprofit sector. A healthy nonprofit sector is essential to building a vibrant and livable community. The Community Foundation is committed to supporting our nonprofit sector by providing information and educational resources, opportunities to network with each other, and financial support for their important work.

Q: As an organization, what are you most proud of accomplishing?

The Community Foundation prides itself in being a community connector. We are proud that in 35 years, the Community Foundation has granted more than $89 million total to charitable organizations in Marathon County and beyond.

Q: Has anything changed since the Foundation was established?

A: The mission of the Community Foundation has not changed over time we continue to play a role in enhancing the quality of life in our area. Our strength as a Community Foundation reflects in our ability to adapt to the needs of the community as they arise through our funding sources. Our donors are a true reflection of the community and we are thankful to them for meeting relevant and pressing needs.

In the Community Foundations first year of disbursements, we granted $82,000. In 2021 that number has escalated to $7.4 million we can only go up from there through the generosity of our donors.

Q: What are your hopes and dreams for the future? Where do you see the Foundation headed?

A: Our vision is to be seen as a leader in north central Wisconsin to identify and support community needs. We are positioned to help individuals and businesses understand where philanthropy can create the best impact to make north central Wisconsin the best place to visit and live. We will continue to help donors know where their gifts can be directed and to prepare nonprofits in the region to optimize their impact.

In the next year, we on a path for $100 million in managed assets and up to $10 million in annual distribution of grants. We see this as an exciting milestone for our 35th year in operation.

Over the next 5-10 years, we intend to increase awareness of what a community foundation can do for the community. As people in the region become more aware of our work, we expect accelerated growth both within and beyond Marathon County.

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Business of the Week: Community Foundation of North Central Wisconsin - wausaupilotandreview.com

LifeBank Chain (LBC) focuses on research and development in the field of genetics and cell science, with the purposes of furthering human longevity and expanding access to genetics and cell treatments through cutting-edge technologies.

Gene and Cell Technology

JERUSALEM, Dec. 31, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- GENE & CELL MEDICINE LTD located in Israel and Singapore started a new project : LifeBank Chain (LBC). The project LBC plans to build a genetic and cell data collaboration platform.

Genetic research seeks to understand the process of trait inheritance from parents to offspring. The human genetic research is revealing the nature of human bioinformatics and giving scientists a powerful approach to study various health issues of human life.

Cell research focuses on stem cell and immune cell therapies, which are an extremely promising approach for the treatment of many diseases with an immune component including cancer, autoimmune disease, and chronic inflammation.

The wide applications of these new biological technologies in the medical field greatly reshaped the traditional pharmaceutical industry, whose focus was not only put on the treatment of disease as before but also on gene diagnosis and prevention, which opened the door to the world of personalized and precise medicine.

Blockchain is an emerging technology that has attracted increasing attention from both researchers and practitioners. The functionalities of blockchain technology and smart contracts provide an opportunity over large gene and cell data to support genetic and cell data integrity and security while giving patients control over their own data.

LBC plans to build a genetic and cell data collaboration platform incorporating an extensible cross-chain service system based on individual and institutional nodes. The platform product service layer abstracts all typical kinds of gene and cell blockchain applications and provides the full functions and implementation framework of typical applications.

Story continues

The goal of LifeBank Chain (LBC) is to establish a global-level service platform for sharing and utilizing human genetic and cell data through secured blockchain technologies. The LBC blockchain is designed to provide genetic and cell research industry partners with enterprise-level blockchain infrastructure, industry solutions, and secure, reliable, and flexible blockchain services. LBC will work together with medical practitioners to provide full-solution ancillary reagent services and provide flexible and pioneering tools to simplify therapy workflow at every step of the medical process.

LBC will form a professional and shared social organization -- LBC Life Alliance -- inviting life technology companies, scientific research institutes, medical institutions, etc. to jointly solve medical, health, disease, and public health problems, and jointly build the application standards of gene and stem cell medical technology on the blockchain, and contribute to the cause of human health.

LifeBank Chain enables healthcare professionals to manage the medical data and do research in an auditable, transparent and secure way on LBC's distributed network. LBC continues to closely monitor the evolution of genetics and cell therapy in different medical subspecialties around the world.

LifeBank Chain:

Official Website: https://lifebankchain.io

LBC on Twitter: https://twitter.com/lifebankchainEmail : lbc@lifebankchain.io

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LifeBank Chain Announces Upcoming Gene and Cell Collaboration Platform With Disrupt Blockchain Technologies - Yahoo Finance

Looking for ways to grow old gracefully? Over the past year, Wells columnists have reported on how to keep your mind and body healthy over time. Here are some of their top insights from the most popular stories published in 2021.

So said Jane Brody, our Personal Health columnist, after she turned 80 this spring. Inspired by Steven Petrows book, Stupid Things I Wont Do When I Get Old, Ms. Brody took an inventory of her own life and decided what she no longer needed to do (color her hair; talk about aches and pains to anyone who will listen) and what she is unwilling to give up (walking her dog in the woods). Sooner or later, we all must recognize what is no longer possible and find alternatives, Ms. Brody wrote. In her case, that has meant giving up ice skating, but still taking 10-mile bike rides.

You may be able to predict your likelihood of living a long life by analyzing the trillions of bacteria, viruses and fungi that inhabit your intestinal tract, Anahad OConnor reported, citing a promising study.

The findings suggest that a gut microbiome that continually transforms as you get older is a sign of healthy aging. People who had the most changes in their microbial compositions tended to have better health and longer life spans, Mr. OConnor wrote. They had higher vitamin D levels and lower levels of LDL cholesterol and triglycerides, a type of fat in the blood. They needed fewer medications, and they had better physical health, with faster walking speeds and greater mobility.

Ms. Brody reported on a study out of the Netherlands that focused on cognitive super-agers people who approach the end of the human life span with brains that function as if they were 30 years younger. By studying centenarians, researchers hope to identify reliable characteristics and develop treatments that would result in healthy cognitive aging for most of us. Meanwhile, Ms. Brody reported, there is much we can do now to keep our brains in tiptop condition. These centenarians tend to maintain good vision and hearing, and past research has revealed lifestyle factors that contribute to resilience such as obtaining a high level of quality education; holding occupations that deal with complex facts and data; consuming a Mediterranean-style diet; engaging in leisure activities; socializing with other people; and exercising regularly, Ms. Brody wrote.

To increase our chances for a long life, we probably should take at least 7,000 steps a day or engage in sports such as tennis, cycling, swimming, jogging or badminton for more than 2.5 hours per week, Gretchen Reynolds reported, based on two large studies.

Accumulate and measure your activities in whatever way works for you, a professor who led one of the studies told Ms. Reynolds. Step counting may work well for someone who does not have the time to fit in a longer bout of exercise. But if a single bout of exercise fits best with your lifestyle and motivations, that is great as well. The idea is just to move more.

Older people are increasingly partnering and re-partnering in various forms, Francine Russo wrote, but for women in particular, theres a fear that a romantic attachment in later life will shortly lead to full-time caregiving. One solution may be living apart together (L.A.T.), meaning you can maintain a long-term committed romantic relationship without sharing, or intending to share, a home.

I have friends who say they never want to meet anybody unless theyre 10 or 15 years younger, because they see it as having to move in and be the sole caretaker, one 81-year-old woman practicing living apart together told Ms. Russo. I wasnt about to do that. I think I have the best of two worlds.

Who better to share tips for aging well than an 81-year-old who has dedicated his career to public health? Dr. Anthony S. Fauci, who has led the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases for 37 years spoke to Ms. Brody when she joined the octogenarians club this year about staying fit and focused. His tips:

Take care of yourself, get some reasonable sleep, dont get overcome by stress, a good diet. Enjoy life, but dont do things in excess. Exercise is really important. I think that the fact that Ive been a marathon and 10K runner for the last multiple decades has been very important in my staying fit, looking fit and feeling fit.

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The Secrets to Successful Aging in 2022 - The New York Times

Another January has arrived, and with so much traditional fat-and-sugar-infused eating behind you, you might be hearing the voice of conscience reminding you that you are what you eat. And, as you meander through errands and warm and welcoming cafes to start the new year, it might seem as if plant-based foods are everywhere. A whole new range of consumers has discovered plant-based items, with appealing selections appearing on grocery stores shelves, restaurant menus, bakeries, pizza places, delis, coffee shops, and burger joints. So, lets make a prediction for 2022: plant-based foods will not only transcend their current path leading to mainstream acceptance theyll become preferred, for lots of reasons.

Its clear now that production of animal-based proteins has many limitations environmental degradation, animal welfare, cultural considerations, and health constraints. The replacement of meat by alternative ingredients is fast becoming a norm in many countries around the world, with the numbers and varieties of alternative meat products expanding annually.

People are adopting lots of plant-based foods as part of their regular diets. Infusing plant-based foods is easier, more appealing, and compelling than ever before. Although such products remain a relatively small segment of the $585 billion US packaged food and beverage industry, demand is increasingly annually. Many factors will contribute to this plant-based foods awakening in 2022. Lets look at some of them and see the evidence in support of the prediction that plant-based eating will surge in 2022.

To maximize what longevity experts call healthspan, at least 50% of protein should come from vegetable sources. People like you are starting to assess the corresponding benefits/damages of plant-based eating for human health and the environment. Your personalized diet solutions are likely to point to a middle ground where you identify trade-offs and substitutions you are willing to make; for example, you might decide to eat less processed meat and more seafood.

In fact, the rapid growth of the alternative protein market is posing a threat to the conventional meat industry. Thats because a totality of what you eat on a daily basis combines to determine your health outcomes whether positive overall health attributes or nutrient deficiencies. In fact, alternative meats are often considered a bridge to other non-animal protein sources. Edamame, tofu, and tempeh are examples of whole-soy products that offer protein and fiber. Across history, beans and rice have combined to produce a complete protein.

How you eat and what you eat can have a real impact on your intake of nutrients as well as your carbon footprint. How can you adapt your meat-focused diets so you and the Earth are healthier?

The UN says that industrial meat production is one of the most destructive ways in which humans leave their footprint on the planet. Industrial meat is one of the biggest causes of deforestation globally, with the UNs Food and Agricultural Organization finding that, over the past 25 years, forests have been cleared from an area the size of India for cattle ranching. Such alterations of agriculture and forest systems are affecting our current ecosystems and their services and potentially threaten our overall food, water, and livelihood security.

When you follow a climatarian diet, youre conscious how the foods you eat alter the planet. To do your part to reduce carbon emissions, you can choose lower-carbon, environmentally-friendly options. It means considering the carbon footprint and the emission level of the food youre buying and about to consume.

A climatarian diet focused on whole plant-based foods can also reduce the risk of diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, autoimmune diseases, and obesity. 60% of the calories people in the US consume come from processed food products, providing enormous amounts of calories and huge corporate profits but virtually no nutrition. Instead, eating a climatarian diet can increase your overall vitality, mental health, and longevity.

Yeah, its hard for the guys out there to hear, butmens meat-heavy diets are responsible for40% more climate-heating emissions than those of women. Meat-eating in rich countries must be sharply reduced in order to tackle the climate crisis, largely caused by the methane and deforestation associated with cattle. That goal can be aided significantly if more men open up their minds and hearts to flexitarian food selections with more plant-based items. And its happening! The Beet says that plant-based diets are increasing in popularity among men who are looking to lead a healthier lifestyle, lose weight, or maximum muscle gains.

Lots of male celebs are promoting plant-based eating. Powerlifting record holder Patrik Baboumian, Olympic silver medalist Dotsie Bausch, ultra-marathoner Scott Jurek, and 7-time Mr. Olympia champion Arnold Schwarzenegger are backing a plant-based way of life on screen, and the case for swapping turkey with tofu has never been quite so compelling. Since 2018s Netflix show The Game Changers, Tour de France champion Chris Froome, Rocky star Dolph Lundgren, and professional bodybuilder Kai Greene have all switched to a plant based diet.

Men who make the move to plant-based eating need to learn to pay particular attention to their vitamins (B12, D) and minerals (calcium, zinc, iron), protein, and fiber when consuming only plants.

It became increasingly clear in 2021 that the largest human impact to the Earth has been thebillions of tons of chemicals that we emit and circulate through our normal daily and industrial activities. Those activities include the foods we eat. Consumers like you are more likely than ever to choose products that are toxin-free, lessening the chemical influx in the food chain, water supply, air, and wider environment through informed consumer choice.

Last year, people in the US spent almost $9 billion on pesticides for agricultural use. Widespread pesticide use seriously threatens the health of fish and aquatic life, insects, and mammals, including many endangered species. Instead, agroecology can model a future where farming responds to the climate crisis by phasing out pesticides and maintaining vital biodiversity. It is the integration of ecology in agriculture and agri-food systems, encompassing ecological, economic, and social dimensions. It provides sufficient and healthy diets for a growing population without chemical inputs and with and not against nature.

By building organic matter into soils, regenerative agriculture produces stronger yields and nutrient-rich crops. It leads to resiliency diminishing erosion and runoff, improving water quality on and off the farm, and helping to better withstand climate change impacts like flooding and drought. The transition to agroecology implies development and use of innovations to allow responding to real user needs via new technologies. Agroecology needs your support.

Scientists have found that limiting global warming will be impossible without significant changes to how the world eats. Achieving a food future that has low environmental impacts, contributes to food and nutrition stability, and offers a healthy life for present and future generations is an urgent matter that depends on global collaborative efforts.

Responding to the devastating climate crisis, many companies are working to reduce the significant climate footprint of the animal-farmed meat industry by innovating ways to move to plant-based meat products.A grant from Beyond Foods, a distributor of plant-based meat alternatives, compared the effect of consuming plant-based alternative meat as opposed to animal meat on health factors. Researchers looked at outcomes such as concentration of TMAO (trimethylamine-N-oxide), a gut-flora metabolite that indicates risk for cardiovascular disease, LDL cholesterol, and body weight. All 3 improved with the plant-based alternative foods.

In a recent study, more than half 52% of US consumers are eating more plant-based foods and beverages. The number rises to two-thirds 65% globally. Almost 60% of respondents said that their change to plant-based food was permanent, or they hoped it was permanent.

How about you? Whats your prediction about plant-based eating for 2022?

Image provided by Impossible

Excerpt from:
Prediction For 2022: Plant-Based Foods Will Surge - CleanTechnica

For a second year, the COVID-19 pandemic has dominated health news headlines, and for good reason. But amid all the talk of viral variants and vaccine boosters, you may have missed some of this year's most amazing medical cases and breakthroughs. In 2021, scientists made great strides in the world of organ transplants, cancer treatment trials and gut microbiome research, and doctors shared some amazing treatment success stories.

Here are 10 cool medical stories you may have missed this year.

Curtis Means and his twin, C'Asya, were born only 21 weeks and 1 day into their gestation, meaning they were about 19 weeks premature. C'Asya did not respond to treatment and died shortly after birth, but Curtis' vitals steadily began to improve. Even so, doctors estimated that he had only a 1% chance of survival. Over the following months, he received constant care to maintain his breathing and body temperature, and to take in adequate nutrition. He was able to come off his ventilator at 3 months old, and he was discharged from the hospital at 9 months. After six months at home, Curtis and his family received a Guinness World Record certificate acknowledging Curtis as the most premature baby in the world to survive.

Read more: Baby born at 21 weeks survives, breaks world record

With human organs in short supply for transplant surgeries, scientists have long been working to make animal-to-human transplants safe, feasible and widely available. This year, in a watershed experiment, doctors connected a pig kidney to a human and watched as it effectively filtered waste from the body and produced urine. The experiment was conducted in a brain-dead patient who was a registered organ donor and whose family granted permission for the procedure. The team used a kidney from a genetically modified pig that lacked the gene for alpha-gal, a type of sugar that can trigger an intense immune reaction in humans. The successful experiment could signal a big step forward for animal-to-human transplants, but many questions remain.

Read more: Pig kidney successfully hooked up to human patient in watershed experiment

Immunotherapies theoretically rally the immune system against cancer cells, but they don't work for all cancer patients. Only about 40% of patients with advanced melanoma, for instance, reap long-term benefits from immunotherapy drugs. But a small study published in February in the journal Science hints that tweaking cancer patients' gut bacteria can help boost the drugs' effectiveness.

In the study, scientists collected stool from melanoma patients who responded well to immunotherapy and then transplanted the patients' feces which was chock-full of microbes into the guts of 15 patients who had never responded to the drugs. After the transplant, six of the 15 patients responded to immunotherapy for the first time, showing either tumor reduction or disease stabilization that lasted more than a year. Looking forward, the scientists plan to investigate exactly why the poop transplant helped these six patients and why the other nine patients didn't seem to benefit.

Read more: Cancer patients weren't responding to therapy. Then they got a poop transplant.

A study conducted in lab dishes and mice hints at a new way to take down drug-resistant bacteria. This new weapon could make existing antibiotics more effective, thus reducing the need to formulate brand-new antibiotic medications. In the study, published in June in the journal Science, scientists ran experiments with Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, two bacteria that show pervasive resistance to multiple drugs and rank among the leading causes of hospital-acquired infections. These so-called superbugs use a specific enzyme to shield themselves from harm by antibiotics, so the team searched for molecules that could block the enzyme and leave the bugs defenseless. The molecules the scientists identified made antibiotics two- to 15-fold more potent against the microbes, depending on the antibiotic being used and the bacterial strain being targeted. Now, they'll have to see if the same strategy can work in humans.

Read more: New discovery could help take down drug-resistant bacteria

A woman now known as the Esperanza Patient was diagnosed with HIV, the virus that can cause AIDS, in 2013. But as of this year, doctors can find no trace of the virus in her body. The woman received neither a bone marrow transplant nor any drug intervention; her immune system has apparently eliminated HIV from her system on its own. This had happened once before, in a California woman named Loreen Willenberg. And although the two women are anomalies, their cases give scientists hope of finding a cure for HIV/AIDS.

Read more: Patient's immune system 'naturally' cures HIV in the second case of its kind

An experimental "cancer vaccine" works by training immune cells to better recognize and attack cancer cells in the body, without harming healthy cells. In a small trial of eight patients with advanced melanoma, the vaccine helped prevent the patients' tumors from growing for years after vaccination. By the end of the four-year follow-up period, all eight patients were alive and six out of eight showed no signs of active disease. Two had experienced cancer recurrence and received additional treatments called "checkpoint blockades," which essentially rip the brakes off of immune cells known as T cells. In combination with the T cell-targeting cancer vaccine, these checkpoint blockades were highly effective. This hints that such vaccines could serve as a very important therapy, to be used in tandem with other cancer treatments, but more and larger trials are still needed to know for sure.

Read more: Cancer vaccine helped keep melanoma under control for years in small study

A new dietary supplement helped malnourished children put on weight and gain height at a faster rate than children who were given a standard "ready-to-use supplementary food." What made the difference? The new supplement helped to restore the kids' gut bacteria so they more closely resembled the gut bacteria of healthy children.

Malnourishment leaves kids' gut microbes "stunted," as the microbes don't have adequate fuel to grow and multiply. Through exhaustive animal studies and a small pilot trial with human children, a team of scientists came up with a formula to both deliver kids the calories they need and help restore their gut bacteria. In a larger trial, published in April in The New England Journal of Medicine, they found that the supplement not only helped kids grow faster but also increased the concentrations of key proteins in their blood, including those involved in bone growth and nerve and brain development.

Read more: Tweaking the gut bacteria of malnourished kids could help them grow

The first in-human trials of a new HIV vaccine stirred up excitement about the experimental shot, as it showed 97% success at stimulating a rare set of immune cells that play a key role in fighting the virus.

The human immunodeficiency virus poses a huge challenge for vaccine developers because it mutates so quickly, but in this case, the researchers targeted the pathogen using a unique approach: They designed their vaccine to target a specific subset of B cells, a kind of immune cell that produces "broadly neutralizing antibodies," proteins that can latch onto a key protein on HIV and stop the virus from infecting cells. In a trial of 48 people, the vaccine was safe and induced neutralizing antibody production in 97% of the participants. Although this hints that the vaccine may work well, the trial didn't directly test whether the vaccine prevented HIV infection; that will be the next step in development.

Read more: HIV vaccine stimulates 'rare immune cells' in early human trials

People who live to age 100 and beyond may partially have their gut bacteria to thank, according to a study published in July in the journal Nature. In the study, researchers examined the communities of gut microbes, or microbiota, living in 160 centenarians, who were, on average, 107 years old. The researchers compared the centenarians' gut microbiota to those of 112 people ages 85 to 89, and 47 people ages 21 to 55. The centenarians showed a distinct gut microbe "signature," meaning specific microbes appeared in higher or lower abundance than in the younger groups. In addition, they had significantly higher levels of so-called secondary bile acids, a fluid produced by the liver and released into the intestine. In particular, they produced high concentrations of the secondary bile acid isoalloLCA, which the researchers found to have potent antimicrobial properties that may inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria in the gut.

More research is needed to know if and how the centenarians' gut bugs help them survive to such advanced ages and whether this knowledge could be used to boost other people's longevity.

Read more: People who live to 100 have unique gut bacteria signatures

A recent study found that the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine has reduced the number of cervical cancer cases by 87% among women in the U.K. Using cancer registry data gathered between 2006 and 2019, researchers compared the cervical cancer rates among women who were vaccinated with the HPV vaccine Cervarix when they were young, between the ages of 12 and 13, with the cervical cancer rates of women who received the vaccine slightly later and with the rates of those who did not receive the vaccine at all.

The researchers found that the vaccine was most effective when given to the youngest cohort; women who had been vaccinated with Cervarix between the ages of 12 and 13 had 87% fewer cases of cervical cancer compared with those who weren't vaccinated. There was a 62% reduction in cases among women who had been vaccinated between the ages of 14 and 16, and a 34% reduction in cases in women vaccinated between 16 and 18, compared to the unvaccinated population.

Read more: HPV vaccine slashes cervical cancer rates by 87% among women in the UK

Originally published on Live Science.

Read more from the original source:
10 amazing health stories you may have missed in 2021 - Livescience.com