A new study increases and strengthens the links that have led scientists to propose the “transposon theory of aging.” Transposons are rogue elements of DNA that break free in aging cells and rewrite themselves elsewhere in the genome, potentially creating lifespan-shortening chaos in the genetic makeups of tissues. As cells get older, prior studies have…
Month: September 2016
Study suggests how ‘super aging’ older adults retain youthful memory abilities
Some loss of memory is often considered an inevitable part of aging, but new research reveals how some people appear to escape that fate. A study by Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) investigators examines a remarkable group of older adults whose memory performance is equivalent to that of younger individuals and finds that certain key areas…
New technique generates human neural stem cells for tissue engineering, 3-D brain models
Tufts University researchers have discovered a new technique for generating rapidly-differentiating human neural stem cells for use in a variety of tissue engineering applications, including a three-dimensional model of the human brain, according to a paper published today in Stem Cell Reports. The work could pave the way for experiments that engineer other innervated tissues,…
“Dormant” Bacteria in Blood Was Just Linked to Several Diseases
Dormant bacteria in human blood may be causing inflammation, excessive clotting, and deformed protein sheets. Previously believed to be free from microbes, recent DNA sequencing has revealed that there may be around 1000 bacterial cells in each milliliter of blood. These bacteria may be triggering reactions that lead to symptoms commonly associated with stroke, heart…
World’s first ‘nanofish’ could be used as guided drug missiles
Engineers have created metallic nanofish that are inspired by the swimming style of real fish, and could be used to carry drugs to specific sites of the body. The nanofish are 100 times smaller than grains of sand, and are constructed from gold and nickel segments linked by silver hinges. The two outer gold segments…
6 new groups of molecules could be the key to delaying aging
A Concordia research collaboration with Idunn Technologies clears a major hurdle in the fight for longevity Hearing loss, brittle bones, sagging skin, a deteriorating mind: these are just some of the issues associated with growing old. For millennia, humans have fought the process of aging using everything from fountains of youth to pricey face creams,…
Low vitamin D among elderly associated with decline in cognition, dementia
Vitamin D insufficiency among the elderly is highly correlated with accelerated cognitive decline and impaired performance, particularly in domains such as memory loss that are associated with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, researchers with the UC Davis Alzheimer’s Disease Center and Rutgers University have found. The effect is “substantial,” with individuals with low vitamin D declining…
Artificial Intelligence Is Helping Doctors Find Breast Cancer Risk 30 Times Faster
AI is once again proving its worth in assisting humans in their quest for healthy living. Forbes reports on progress of AI in diagnosing breast cancer, this tome at Houston Methodist Research Institute, a hospital in Texas. researchers from Houston Methodist have developed AI software that can interpret mammogram results a full 30 times quicker…
Peter Diamandis: We’ll Radically Extend Our Lives With New Technologies
Singularity University just concluded its 2016 Global Summit. Peter Diamandis, cofounder and executive chairman of Singularity University took to the stage to speak about the future of aging and how technology now in development is going to impact what we can do with our bodies. “We’re going to look at your genome and all of…
The Economist on Aging and Longevity
None other than the very main street “Economist” publication weighs in on the topic of healthy living, longevity, aging and caloric restriction diet. A good article discussing approaches and challenges ahead. Improvements in medicine and welfare mean that there are many more people in their 90s and 100s round the world today than there used…
Possible Alzheimer’s treatment breakthrough
An experimental drug cleared protein buildup in the brains of people with mild Alzheimer’s disease and slowed their mental decline, the results of a preliminary trial showed Wednesday. The outcome raised hopes that a treatment may finally be within reach for the memory- and independence-robbing disease, but experts cautioned against overplaying the findings. The drug,…