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It’s not mold, it’s calcium lactate (2018)
a year ago
- Cheese crystals are desirable and indicate a well-aged, flavorful cheese.
- There are two main families of cheese crystals: inorganic (mineral-based) and organic (amino acid-based).
- Inorganic crystals, like calcium phosphate, are formed during cheesemaking and are often found under rinds.
- Organic crystals, such as tyrosine and leucine, form during aging and provide a crunchy texture.
- Calcium lactate forms on the outside of aged cheddars and is a sign of long aging.
- Texture is key to differentiating crystals (hard) from mold (soft).
- Cheese crystals affect sensory perceptions like sound (crunch), touch (texture), and sight (white spots).
- Crystals signify age and quality in cheese, enhancing its desirability.
'We Are Not Programmed to Die,' Says Nobel Laureate Venki Ramakrishnan
a year ago
- Venkatraman Ramakrishnan is a Nobel Prize-winning scientist known for his work on the ribosome's structure.
- His book 'Why We Die' explores the biological processes of aging and death.
- Death is defined as the irreversible loss of the ability to function as a coherent individual, distinct from cell death.
- Aging is not programmed by genes but is a byproduct of evolutionary traits focused on reproduction.
- Lifespan results from a balance between resource allocation for repair and growth versus reproduction.
- Public misconceptions include the feasibility of indefinite life extension and anti-aging pseudoscience.
- Model organisms like worms provide insights into aging, though results can't always be directly applied to humans.
- Social and ethical implications of increased longevity include generational stagnation and reduced societal dynamism.
Isolated older adults find joy and connection through virtual singing
a year ago
- Virtual group singing benefits well-being and social connection for adults over 55, including those with neurocognitive disorders like dementia.
- Singing engages neurophysiological processes, improving respiratory control, emotional regulation, motor control, lung capacity, posture, and physical health.
- For individuals with neurocognitive disorders, singing offers an alternative means of expression and facilitates communication.
- Two group-singing interventions were studied: a sing-along series and a structured choir, both showing high satisfaction among participants.
- Sing-alongs evoked emotional resonance through positive memories, while choir participation promoted intellectual engagement.
- Virtual singing could benefit rural populations, those with mobility limitations, or social anxiety beyond the pandemic.
Get yourself a cheap dishwasher
a year ago
- Old Kitchen Aid dishwasher died after 18 years, leaking and damaging engineered hardwood floors.
- Engineered hardwood floors, once hyped, are now considered outdated compared to vinyl or tile planks.
- Professional installation of the dishwasher was sloppy, with electrical and plumbing issues.
- Replacement parts for the old dishwasher were considered, but the appliance was deemed end-of-life.
- Purchased a new GE dishwasher for $398 after discounts, opting for a budget-friendly model.
- Installed the new dishwasher with additional insulation and trim for a better fit and appearance.
- Decision to not invest in a high-end appliance due to age, health, and potential downsizing in the future.
- Reflection on the diminishing importance of status symbols like gourmet kitchens with age.
- Prioritizing health and financial security over others' opinions or pride of ownership.
Vitamin D Supplements Show Signs of Protection Against Biological Aging
a year ago
- Vitamin D supplementation helps maintain telomeres, protective caps at chromosome ends linked to aging and disease.
- Results from the VITAL trial show vitamin D3 supplements significantly reduced telomere shortening over four years, equivalent to nearly three years of aging.
- Omega 3 fatty acid supplementation had no significant effect on telomere length.
- The study suggests vitamin D may slow biological aging, with potential benefits in reducing inflammation and chronic diseases.
- The trial involved 1,054 participants, assessing telomere length in white blood cells at baseline and over four years.
Could 'pausing' cell death be the final frontier in medicine?
a year ago
- Necrosis, a form of unprogrammed cell death, may hold the key to altering human aging, disease progression, and space travel challenges.
- The study suggests necrosis is not just an endpoint but a driver of aging, presenting opportunities for medical intervention.
- Calcium imbalance plays a central role in necrosis, leading to cell rupture, inflammation, and chronic age-related diseases.
- Kidney disease is highlighted as a major impact area of necrosis, with potential interventions possibly halting kidney failure.
- Space travel accelerates aging and kidney decline due to cosmic radiation and microgravity, making necrosis a critical research area for long-duration missions.
- Targeting necrosis could revolutionize treatments for diseases like Alzheimer’s, heart disease, and kidney failure, and extend human longevity.
Younger generations less likely to have dementia, study suggests
a year ago
- Recent generations are less likely to develop dementia at the same age compared to earlier generations.
- Women show a more pronounced decline in dementia risk, possibly due to increased access to education in the mid-20th century.
- The study analyzed data from 62,437 people aged 70+ across the US, England, and Europe.
- Dementia prevalence increases with age but is lower in more recent birth cohorts.
- Factors like education, smoking bans, and medical improvements may contribute to the decline in dementia risk.
- The study has limitations, including reliance on algorithmic assessments rather than clinical diagnoses.
- Experts caution that the trend may not continue, as major health improvements may have already occurred.
- Nearly half of dementia cases could be prevented or delayed by addressing key risk factors like smoking and air quality.
The New 80% Rule in Culture
10 months ago
- The author reflects on aging and the increasing age of public figures and institutions.
- Congress and Hollywood are highlighted as examples of aging and reliance on old ideas.
- 80% of movie revenues now come from remakes and spin-offs, a reversal from 2000 when 80% were original ideas.
- Music streaming is seeing a similar trend, with old songs making up 73% of streams, up from 63% in 2019.
- AI-generated content is predicted to dominate publishing, further reducing originality.
- Audiences are rejecting recycled content, as seen in declining revenues for major franchises like Star Wars and Marvel.
- The creative economy is criticized for its over-reliance on old ideas, with 80% of output being 'leftovers.'
- The author calls for a return to originality and fresh ideas in culture and entertainment.
- The modern economy is blamed for deterring top intellectual talent from creative pursuits due to financial instability.
- Hollywood's decline in quality is attributed to the lack of brilliant minds entering the industry, replaced by influencers and less talented individuals.
Biomolecular shifts occur in our 40s and 60s
10 months ago
- A new Stanford Medicine study reveals that our molecules and microorganisms undergo dramatic changes during our 40s and 60s.
- Researchers analyzed thousands of molecules and microbiomes in people aged 25 to 75, finding two periods of rapid change around ages 44 and 60.
- These changes impact health, with significant shifts in molecules related to cardiovascular disease and immune function.
- The study tracked over 135,000 molecules and microbes, totaling nearly 250 billion data points, showing 81% of molecules had non-linear fluctuations.
- Changes in the mid-40s were unexpected and not solely due to menopause, as men also showed significant shifts.
- Health implications include changes in alcohol, caffeine, and lipid metabolism in the 40s, and immune and kidney function in the 60s.
- Lifestyle adjustments, such as exercise and reduced alcohol consumption, are recommended during these critical periods.
Aging-related inflammation is not universal across human populations
10 months ago
- Inflammation associated with aging, known as 'inflammaging,' may not be universal and varies across populations.
- Industrialized populations show clear links between inflammaging and chronic diseases, unlike Indigenous groups where inflammation is driven by infections.
- Indigenous populations like the Tsimane and Orang Asli have high inflammation levels but do not experience the same chronic diseases as industrialized societies.
- The study suggests that inflammation and aging mechanisms are context-dependent, influenced by environment, lifestyle, and infection rates.
- Researchers used 19 cytokines to assess inflammation, finding different patterns between industrialized and Indigenous populations.
- Key findings include high infection rates in Indigenous groups and no link between inflammaging markers and chronic diseases in these populations.
- The study challenges the idea of universal aging biomarkers, highlighting the role of the exposome in immune-aging processes.
- The authors call for reevaluating how aging and inflammation are measured, emphasizing the need for context-aware tools.
Psilocybin Shows Promise as Anti-Aging Therapy (human cell lifespan up by 50%)
10 months ago
- Psilocybin, from psychedelic mushrooms, delayed cellular aging and extended lifespan in preclinical studies.
- Human skin and lung cells treated with psilocybin showed a 50% increase in lifespan.
- Aged mice treated with psilocybin had a 30% increase in survival and healthier physical traits.
- Psilocybin reduced oxidative stress, preserved telomeres, and improved DNA repair mechanisms.
- The study suggests psilocybin could revolutionize anti-aging therapies and improve quality of life in aging populations.
- Research highlights systemic impacts of psilocybin beyond its known mental health benefits.
- Emory University researchers conducted the study, funded by multiple awards.
- Findings open new questions about long-term psilocybin treatments and late-life interventions.
- U.S. life expectancy lags behind similar countries, highlighting the need for innovative aging solutions.
- Psilocybin-assisted therapy for depression may also enhance physical health and longevity.
Rapid bursts of ageing are causing us to rethink how we grow old
10 months ago
- Aging may not be a gradual process but occurs in sudden bursts, particularly around ages 40, 60, and 80.
- Research on fruit flies (Drosophila melanogaster) revealed a 'Smurf' state indicating rapid aging and imminent death due to gut permeability.
- Humans experience similar rapid aging phases, with significant biological changes in blood cell production, immune function, and organ health at key ages.
- Molecular studies show abrupt shifts in protein levels at ages 34, 60, and 78, correlating with increased risks of diseases like cardiovascular conditions and Alzheimer's.
- Skin aging also follows distinct phases with tipping points around ages 30, 50, and 65.
- Lifestyle factors, accumulated molecular damage, and genetic repair mechanisms may influence these aging tipping points.
- Potential interventions, such as diet, exercise, and future 'anti-transition agents,' could delay these aging phases.
- Ongoing research aims to classify aging stages for targeted prevention and treatment strategies.
Aging Clock Unveils Compounds That Rejuvenate Brain Cells
9 months ago
- Scientists developed a computational 'aging clock' to measure the biological age of brain cells.
- The aging clock uses gene expression data from 365 genes to predict biological age.
- Identified 453 compounds with potential to reverse age-related decline in brain cells.
- Initial tests on mice showed improvements in behavior, cognition, and molecular markers of youth.
- The platform can help discover new neuroprotective and rejuvenating interventions.
- Some identified compounds are already used to treat neurological disorders.
- The study provides a foundation for future therapeutic development against neurodegeneration.
Psilocybin treatment extends cellular lifespan, improves survival of aged mice
9 months ago
- Psilocin, a byproduct of psilocybin, extends cellular lifespan by over 50% in human skin and lung cells.
- Aged mice treated with psilocybin showed a 30% increase in survival and improved physical health markers.
- Psilocybin impacts aging by reducing oxidative stress, improving DNA repair, and preserving telomere length.
- The study suggests psilocybin could influence systemic aging processes, especially when administered later in life.
- U.S. life expectancy lags behind similar countries, highlighting the need for interventions that improve healthy aging.
- Psilocybin may contribute to healthier aging, improving both lifespan and quality of life in later years.
- Further research is needed to understand psilocybin’s systemic effects in aging populations and its potential clinical applications.
Full-body scans of 100k people could change medicine
9 months ago
- Scientists completed the world's largest whole body imaging project, scanning 100,000 people to study aging and early disease signs.
- The project provides 1 billion de-identified images of organs, genetic data, and lifestyle information for global research.
- Initial findings show links between heart health and psychiatric disorders, and that no alcohol level is safe for the brain.
- Detailed scans can detect early dementia risks and brain changes as small as a teaspoon of water in volume.
- Alcohol consumption, even in small amounts, is associated with brain shrinkage and increased dementia risk.
- Abdominal scans reveal fat distribution varies widely among people with the same BMI, affecting heart disease risk.
- Re-scanning 60,000 volunteers shows increases in visceral fat and muscle fat as people age.
- Automated aneurysm detection from scans could improve NHS procedures, especially for women who currently aren't screened.
Aging Can Spread Through Your Body via a Single Protein, Study Finds
9 months ago
- ReHMGB1 protein identified as a key driver in spreading aging signals through the bloodstream.
- ReHMGB1 triggers cellular senescence, permanently disabling cells and sending damaging signals systemically.
- Blocking ReHMGB1 in mice improved muscle regeneration, physical performance, and reduced signs of aging.
- Study suggests potential for developing treatments to slow aging by controlling ReHMGB1 signals.
- ReHMGB1 also has beneficial roles in alerting biological systems to damage, complicating potential interventions.
- Research highlights the complexity of aging, with many factors contributing to lifespan and health decline.
- Findings published in Metabolism, pointing to future research directions for aging-related therapies.
Where are all the trillion dollar biotechs?
8 months ago
- Biotech industry faces declining returns on R&D investments, with the number of new drugs approved per $1 billion halving every nine years since 1950.
- Only three drugs—Humira, Keytruda, and Pfizer’s COVID vaccine—have reached $20 billion-per-year sales, highlighting the challenge of achieving blockbuster outcomes.
- Genetic targets show promise but are limited by tradeoffs between small populations with high-confidence targets and large populations with low-confidence targets.
- Rare disease drugs like those for SMA, cystic fibrosis, and hemophilia A can be commercially successful, but many companies still fail despite approvals.
- Drug repurposing offers potential but has inconsistent success rates, with systematic attempts performing no better than traditional drug discovery.
- AI in biotech is expected to assist drug discovery but may not significantly reduce costs or time until clinical-stage challenges are addressed.
- Age-related diseases represent the largest market potential but are difficult to treat due to complex biology and lack of effective heuristics.
- New therapeutic modalities and regulatory frameworks are needed to unlock progress in treating aging and other complex diseases.
- The biotech industry needs cheaper trials, adaptive regulations, and innovative modalities to achieve trillion-dollar outcomes.
Cognitive ability (probably) peaks between 50 and 60
8 months ago
- Intelligence test scores show different trajectories for fluid and crystalized intelligence after age 20.
- Fluid intelligence (problem-solving without prior knowledge) declines after age 20, while crystalized intelligence (using learned information) remains stable or increases until later in life.
- Cross-sectional studies may be biased by the Flynn effect, which shows IQ improvements over generations, complicating age-related decline assessments.
- Longitudinal studies suggest intelligence increases until at least age 50, with significant declines only after age 60 or 70.
- Practice effects in longitudinal studies may inflate IQ scores over time, but adjustments suggest minimal impact on overall trends.
- Quasi-longitudinal studies indicate slower declines in reasoning (fluid intelligence) and stable or slightly increasing vocabulary (crystalized intelligence) with age.
- Measurement invariance tests support the reliability of longitudinal data, showing consistent cognitive ability patterns across different testing waves.
- The distinction between fluid and crystalized intelligence in aging research may be overstated, as both show similar patterns of increase and decline.
Early breakfast could help you live longer
8 months ago
- Early breakfast timing may be linked to better health and longevity in older adults.
- Study finds that as people age, they tend to eat breakfast and dinner later, narrowing their daily eating window.
- Later breakfast times are associated with physical and mental health issues like depression, fatigue, and oral health problems.
- Delayed breakfast timing is linked to an increased risk of mortality in older adults.
- Genetic predisposition to being a 'night owl' correlates with later meal times.
- Consistent meal schedules could be part of strategies for healthy aging.
- Time-restricted eating and intermittent fasting may have different effects on older adults compared to younger individuals.
Space travel may accelerate the aging of stem cells as much as tenfold
8 months ago
- Spaceflight causes significant physical stress on astronauts, leading to bone density loss, brain and eye nerve swelling, and changes in gene expression.
- NASA's twins study with astronauts Mark and Scott Kelly showed that spaceflight can accelerate aging, with effects like DNA damage and cognitive decline persisting after return to Earth.
- A new study in Cell Stem Cell reveals that stem cells age ten times faster in space than on Earth, potentially leading to chronic conditions like cancer and heart disease.
- Stem cells, crucial for tissue repair, show signs of aging in space, including increased inflammation and reduced telomere maintenance, which can cause genomic instability.
- The study used stem cells from hip replacement patients, housed in nanobioreactors, and sent to the International Space Station for 32-45 days to observe aging effects.
- Findings suggest that spaceflight triggers rapid immune responses and genomic instability, similar to accelerated aging processes observed in the Kelly twins study.
- The research aims to help develop therapies for age-related illnesses, benefiting both astronauts and Earth-bound populations as global aging increases.

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#aging

It’s not mold, it’s calcium lactate (2018)

'We Are Not Programmed to Die,' Says Nobel Laureate Venki Ramakrishnan

Isolated older adults find joy and connection through virtual singing

Get yourself a cheap dishwasher

Vitamin D Supplements Show Signs of Protection Against Biological Aging

Could 'pausing' cell death be the final frontier in medicine?

Younger generations less likely to have dementia, study suggests

The New 80% Rule in Culture

Biomolecular shifts occur in our 40s and 60s

Aging-related inflammation is not universal across human populations

Psilocybin Shows Promise as Anti-Aging Therapy (human cell lifespan up by 50%)

Rapid bursts of ageing are causing us to rethink how we grow old

Aging Clock Unveils Compounds That Rejuvenate Brain Cells

Psilocybin treatment extends cellular lifespan, improves survival of aged mice

Full-body scans of 100k people could change medicine

Aging Can Spread Through Your Body via a Single Protein, Study Finds

Where are all the trillion dollar biotechs?

Cognitive ability (probably) peaks between 50 and 60

Early breakfast could help you live longer

Space travel may accelerate the aging of stem cells as much as tenfold