StemCell Therapy

In my previous two articles, I focused on the social and dietary influences on longevity. This week I will be looking at the impact of the environment on our life expectancy. How timely then, to build on the positive effects of the recent pandemic on the change in our behaviours. Over the last 5 months of lockdown, we have experienced a dramatic improvement in air quality and climate change. There has never been a better time to take responsibility for both our health and our planet.

Below, I have attempted to provide the latest understanding of the environment on our health and advise how to mitigate the risks:1.Air quality: In Europe alone, there have been thousands of fewer deaths as a result of reduced road traffic and industrial emissions due to the recent lockdown. This is largely due to the dangerous effect particulates have on our respiratory and cardiovascular systems. London has had some of the highest levels of Nitrogen Dioxide pollution in the world (just behind Beijing and New Dehli). However, the Mayor of London has made significant improvements to reduce harmful emissions (by up to 20% in the last 4 years). In addition to this, electric and hybrid vehicles could not come at a better time.2.Sun exposure: This will not only make you look older, but will cause damage to the skins genetic material and put you at risk of skin cancer. You should use a daily facial moisturiser of at least spf30 and a similar spf for your body if you are exposed. Lighter skin will require higher spf. It is a delicate balance, as the sun is also important for Vitamin D production, and one study has actually shown increased longevity with sun exposure (only by 7 months), which may be a result of those who have healthier diets, higher Vitamin D or more active lifestyles.3.Smoking: This goes without saying. There is also a non-linear relationship to the amount smoked, so even smoking a couple of cigarettes per day can have significant risks. Thankfully, the smoking ban in public places has reduced the risks of passive smoking.4.Light emission: This is a theoretical risk from backlit screens, as it impacts on your internal body clock (Circadian Rhythm) and can disrupt sleep, a factor in longevity. I would recommend wearing blue-light filter glasses after sunset, and change the settings on your phone/devices to night shift which cuts down the blue light emissions. Ideally, one should not use backlit screens within 2 hours of bedtime.5.Background radiation: Predominantly from X-rays or CT scans, although the radiation for different procedures vary widely, and usually the benefit outweighs the risk. Radon occurs naturally in the ground and areas such as Cornwall have high levels, contributing to higher levels of lung cancer, but these risks are still relatively small. We are also exposed to radiation when flying. A return transatlantic flight is the equivalent of one Chest X-ray. However, this amount of radiation is still extremely small, and unless you were travelling extensively, it would have very little overall effect. There has been a lot of debate around the effect of wireless radiation from high mobile phone use. The jury is still out and the WHO have categorized it as possibly carcinogenic , but the Health Protection Agency has found no consistent evidence that it is harmful.6.Higher Altitudes: it is difficult to know if this is due to the cleaner air, but many communities in the Blue Zones who live beyond the average life expectancy, are in mountainous regions.7.Pesticides: These have evolved over the decades, and we no longer use highly toxic pesticides such as DDT, which is still detectable in peoples bodies, even now. The regulation has become much stricter, so the residue found on produce is hundreds of times lower than the amount known to cause harm. There is ongoing debate over the advantages of organic natural over synthetic pesticides and if there is any significant benefit. It is still advisable to wash your fruit and vegetables, but mostly to prevent infections such as Coronavirus, Norovirus or E.Coli.8.The Hygiene Hypothesis: Is a popular belief that we are over sanitised leading to a dysfunctional immune system. This is a misnomer, as it is more related to changes in our diet and urban lifestyle than being too hygienic. It is a complex argument, suggesting a lack of exposure to healthy micro-organisms early in life (particularly in relation to our gut flora), which are important in shaping our immune system. Manipulation of our environment over the past century may have led to a rise in allergies and auto-immune conditions. Research has been looking at the role of probiotics in helping with this.

If you look after your environment, your environment will look after you.

Written by Dr Tim Lebens, a private GP in Central London, with a subspecialty in health optimisation and latest advances in medicine. http://www.drlebens.com

Read more from the original source:
How to live to 100: why our environment affects longevity - Tatler

The FutureBrand Index 2020 has just been released, the first comprehensive global study into the perception of global brands since the outbreak of COVID-1. And the findings show well-perceived companies can consistently align the full picture of the experiences they create with their wider corporate purpose.

FutureBrand AU CEO, Rich Curtis, told CMO brands that develop and deliver distinctive strategies and unconventional thinking perform more strongly than other brands. And in 2020, its strongly related to the coronavirus pandemic that has profoundly affected peoples lives and the new demands or expectations which have been placed upon how people buy, work, play, study and live.

We can see in this study that those brands able to take the opportunity to stand apart, and do so in a way that is authentic to who they are and what they do, outperform other brands, Curtis said.

Curtis cited the example of Netflix, which has moved beyond being a technology outfit or a streaming business, and has successfully built an emotional connection with customers through a distinctive strategy to market.

The FutureBrand Index is a global perception study that reorders PwCs Global Top 100 Companies by Market Cap on perception strength rather than financial strength. One theme stood out beyond all others, and that is individuality. The report said its a quality that distinguishes an entity from others of the same kind.

The research was conducted during the initial weeks of lockdown, as the world adjusted to a new way of living and working, to tap decision-makers about their thinking in the here and now and into the future.

The research has also identified several other themes common to companies with strong positive perceptions. Prioritising customers and their needs, even if it means forging a different path to rival firms, is one of these. And in a time of an ongoing health crisis, those companies in healthcare rate highly, along with those that care about employees as they do their customers, including a firm commitment to diversity and inclusion feature high up on the list.

Those companies which realise the true value of an open culture that fosters a happy and productive workforce and the ones that embrace innovation, change and agility to maintain resilience in the face of fast-moving, sector-specific, national and international events also have the right ingredients for positive brand perception.

In particular, Curtis said its about an organisation having a clear sense of purpose. With the COVID-19 context, it's especially important to have a clarity of purpose and mission.

A good example of that is the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre. Because it has that clarity of purpose, people feel engaged and kind of bound on to that organisation. And it is able to communicate very openly and very authentically with its own employees about what is happening at the moment and what it is doing, he explained to CMO.

Looking ahead, Curtis said for organisations to survive, and even thrive, throughout and beyond the pandemic where well-being and healthcare have been elevated, forging an emotional connection is all powerful.

That is most certainly an enduring dynamic in building successful brands, he added.

Follow CMO on Twitter:@CMOAustralia, take part in the CMO conversation on LinkedIn:CMO ANZ,follow our regular updatesvia CMO Australia's Linkedin company page, or join us on Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/CMOAustralia.

Read more here:
Study: Emotional connection key to brand longevity - CMO

In ones quest to find solutions to help live a long and disease-free life, numerous theories and suggestions have been declared. Intermittent fasting has gained much notoriety over the pastyear,and according to leading healthexperts, this type of eatingcould be the answer to helping you boost your life longevity. How?

A review of past animal and human studies in The New England Journal of Medicine recommend adopting a way of eating known as intermittent fasting which can help reduce blood pressure, aid in weight loss and improve longevity.

Alternating between fasting and eating can help to improve cellular health.

Professor Mark Mattson from John Hopkins University said the way of eating can help to trigger a metabolic switch.

In metabolic switching, cells use up their fuel stores and convert fat to energy this in turns helps fat to switch from fat-storing to fat-saving and has many health benefits.

The way of eating involves daily-time restricted feeding.

This narrows the time of eating to six to eight hours per day which is also known as 5:2 intermittent fasting, in which people limit themselves to one moderate-sized meal two days each week.

Findings on intermittent fasting range in the diets effectiveness, but some studies in animals and humans have linked the practice to longer lives, healthier hearts and improved cognition.

DON'T MISSHigh blood pressure: Studies show adding this drink to your diet will lower your reading[TIPS]Hair loss treatment: A mineral which strengthens hair follicles to stimulate hair growth[TIPS]High blood pressure: Study reveals the best type of breakfast cereal to lower your reading[TIPS]

When finding benefits of the diet, looking at different countries who adopt this way of eating as a norm often helps.

Residents of Okinawa are known for their extreme longevity and low-calorie, nutrient-rich diet.

Their way of eating has been suggested to help contribute to their long-life spans, low number of obesity and reduced risk of diseases.

Professor Mattson says studies have shown that this switch improves blood sugar regulation, increases resistance to stress and suppresses inflammation.

The professor notes that four studies in both animals and people found intermittent fasting also helped to decrease blood pressure, blood lipid levels and resting heart rates.

Preliminary studies suggest that intermittent fasting could benefit brain health too.

A clinical trial at the University of Toronto found that 220 healthy adults who maintained a calorie restricted diet for two years showed signs of improved memory in a battery of cognitive tests.

Professor Mattson added: Patients should be advised that feeling hungry and irritable is common initially and usually passes after two weeks to a month as the body and brain become accustomed to the new habit.

Mattson suggests a gradual acclimation to fasting rather than going cold turkey will help with this.

Mattsonalsohopes this study will give better insight to physicians, who can pass that guidance on to their patients.

For an added benefit, eating a Mediterranean diet during the eating phasecouldnot only boost longevity but improve heart health too.

Read the original:
How to live longer: Diet shown to burn fat, improve heart health and to boost longevity - Express

People who live in the worlds Blue Zoneslike Sardinia, Italy and Okinawa, Japanhave perfected the art of staying alive and well. Longevity expert Dan Buettner, author of The Blue Zones Kitchen, has made studying these superhumans and their wellness practices his lifes work. During a recent online master class on all things immortality (I mean, er, longevity) hosted by the Global Wellness Institute, Buettner said that one everyday outdoor activity sets the folks in the Blue Zones up for thriving well into their triple-digits: gardening.

[In] all Blue Zones, people continue to garden even into their 90s and 100s, said Buettner. Gardening is the epitome of a Blue Zone activity because its sort of a nudge: You plant the seeds and youre going to be nudged in the next three to four months to water it, weed it, harvest it. And when youre done, youre going to eat an organic vegetable, which you presumably like because you planted it. That means gardening hits three of the nine Blue Zones pillars of healthy living in just one activity: one, move naturally; two, manage your stress; and three, eat mostly plants.

Gardening ticks the first box, move naturally, because it calls for incorporating movement into your daily tasks (like walking to work or biking to the grocery store) rather than, say, setting aside an hour aside for a HIIT workout. As Emily Kiberd, DC, founder of New York CitysUrban Wellness Clinic, previously told Well+Good: Their lives are dynamic. Not a constant go, go, go, but a mix of movement, then rest. You can water your plants, then dive back into the book you were reading or go back to work with the energy granted to you by a small burst of movement.

Meanwhile, research has also suggested that planting flowers, herbs, or fruits and veggies also plants the seeds for good mental health (fulfilling that second Blue Zones pillar). Gardening has been found to delay symptoms of dementia. Green exercise, aka doing physical activity while exposed to or in nature, has been linked to longevity, and theres no discounting the fact that youll quickly rack up your 150 minutes of government-recommended exercise each week as you tend to your plant babies (which is also a win for your brains well-being).

Last, but certainly not least, is the fact that having a garden make it easier to access fresh, whole foods. As Buettner pointed out, planting your own fruits and veggies delivers you one step closer to actually eating them. What you do choose to plant and harvest will contribute to the overall diversity of your diet. That a big deal, when you consider that 2018 research found that people with the healthiest, most diverse guts ate 30 or more different types of plants per week. Plant your garden right, and at least a large fraction of the gut-friendly plants in your diet could be hand-grown.

If you dont know the first thing about buying seeds, soil, fertilizer, and all that jazz, remember that gardening doesnt have to be as complicated as purchasing an acre of farmland. For one thing, you could try sprouting: an easy, indoor method for growing your own grains, beans, legumes, or veggies. This also allows you to eat your plants when theyre young and thus more nutrient-dense than they would be otherwise.

If you have some backyard or balcony space and thus have more room for planting (either in the ground or in planters), consider this your motivation to brush up on the basics of not-killing-things and really do your research as far as what should be planted when, how the heck you should water your little seeds, and the perfect sunlight-to-shade ratio. To really feel like youre becoming a student of the plant kingdom, you can even sign up for one of these online gardening workshops to make your love for the activity blossom.

Should you find yourself feeling stuck, just remember: The people of the Blue Zones had to start from scratch to earn the green thumbs they have today. And hey, with any luck, youll have one hundred years to learn how to plant, care for, harvest, and eat the perfect tomato.

Read the original here:
This One Activity Ticks Off 3 of the Blue Zones Markers of Longevity - Well+Good

Bats which are the carrier of deadly viruses that affect humans like Ebola, rabies, and possibly the SARS-CoV-2 strain of virus that causes coronavirus. However, these viruses have not killed bats but humans. Also Read - Vivek Oberoi Wishes Speedy Recovery For Aishwarya Rai And The Entire Bachchan Family

Bats are remarkably able to tolerate viruses, and, additionally, live much longer than similar-sized land mammals. What are the secrets to their longevity and virus resistance? Also Read - Punjab Lockdown Extension News: State to Further Impose Restrictions to Contain Coronavirus

According to researchers at the University of Rochester in the US, bats longevity and capacity to tolerate viruses may stem from their ability to control inflammation, which is a hallmark of disease and aging. Also Read - Coronavirus in Maharashtra: 7827 Fresh Cases, 173 Deaths in 24 Hours; Caseload at 254427, Fatalities Over 10000

In a study published in the journal Cell Metabolism, biology professors Vera Gorbunova and Andrei Seluanov described the mechanisms underlying bats unique abilities and how these mechanisms may hold clues to developing new treatments for diseases in humans.

There may be a very strong connection between bats resistance to infectious diseases and their longevity. We also realised that bats can provide clues to human therapies used to fight diseases, said Gorbunova.

The scientists, along with colleague Brian Kennedy, director of the Centre for Healthy Aging at the National University of Singapore, got to talking about bats.

Unlike humans, bats have developed specific mechanisms that reduce viral replication and also dampen the immune response to a virus.

The result is a beneficial balance: their immune systems control viruses but at the same time, do not mount a strong inflammatory response.

Another factor may be their environment.

Many species of bats live in large, dense colonies, and hang close together on cave ceilings or in trees. Those conditions are ideal for transmitting viruses and other pathogens.

Bats are constantly exposed to viruses. They are always flying out and bringing back something new to the cave or nest, and they transfer the virus because they live in such close proximity to each other, said Seluanov.

Because bats are constantly exposed to viruses, their immune systems are in a perpetual arms race with pathogens.

Usually the strongest driver of new traits in evolution is an arms race with pathogens. Dealing with all of these viruses may be shaping bats immunity and longevity.

However, the study does not suggest for humans to toss their masks and crowd together in restaurants and movie theatres.

Evolution takes place over thousands of years, rather than a few months.

While humans may be developing social habits that parallel those of bats, we have not yet evolved bats sophisticated mechanisms to combat viruses as they emerge and swiftly spread.

The consequences may be that our bodies experience more inflammation, said Gorbunova.

Studying bats immune systems will provide new targets for human therapies to fight diseases and aging, said researchers.

For example, bats have mutated or completely eliminated several genes involved in inflammation; scientists can develop drugs to inhibit these genes in humans.

Read the original post:
Bats Have Allegedly Carried Deadly Coronavirus But Not Succumbed to it Because of THIS reason - India.com

Representational image

Bats are carriers of deadly viruses that affect humans like Ebola, rabies, and possibly the SARS-CoV-2 strain of virus that causes coronavirus. However, these viruses have not killed bats but humans.

Bats are remarkably able to tolerate viruses, and, additionally, live much longer than similar-sized land mammals. What are the secrets to their longevity and virus resistance?

According to researchers at the University of Rochester in the US, bats' longevity and capacity to tolerate viruses may stem from their ability to control inflammation, which is a hallmark of disease and aging.

In a study published in the journal Cell Metabolism, biology professors Vera Gorbunova and Andrei Seluanov described the mechanisms underlying bats' unique abilities and how these mechanisms may hold clues to developing new treatments for diseases in humans.

"There may be a very strong connection between bats' resistance to infectious diseases and their longevity. We also realised that bats can provide clues to human therapies used to fight diseases," said Gorbunova.

The scientists, along with colleague Brian Kennedy, director of the Centre for Healthy Aging at the National University of Singapore, got to talking about bats.

Unlike humans, bats have developed specific mechanisms that reduce viral replication and also dampen the immune response to a virus.

The result is a beneficial balance: their immune systems control viruses but at the same time, do not mount a strong inflammatory response.

Another factor may be their environment.

Many species of bats live in large, dense colonies, and hang close together on cave ceilings or in trees. Those conditions are ideal for transmitting viruses and other pathogens.

"Bats are constantly exposed to viruses. They are always flying out and bringing back something new to the cave or nest, and they transfer the virus because they live in such close proximity to each other," said Seluanov.

Because bats are constantly exposed to viruses, their immune systems are in a perpetual arms race with pathogens.

"Usually the strongest driver of new traits in evolution is an arms race with pathogens. Dealing with all of these viruses may be shaping bats' immunity and longevity".

However, the study does not suggest for humans to toss their masks and crowd together in restaurants and movie theatres.

Evolution takes place over thousands of years, rather than a few months.

While humans may be developing social habits that parallel those of bats, we have not yet evolved bats' sophisticated mechanisms to combat viruses as they emerge and swiftly spread.

"The consequences may be that our bodies experience more inflammation," said Gorbunova.

Studying bats' immune systems will provide new targets for human therapies to fight diseases and aging, said researchers.

For example, bats have mutated or completely eliminated several genes involved in inflammation; scientists can develop drugs to inhibit these genes in humans.

Read the original:
Here's How Bats Survive Novel Coronavirus and Other Deadly Viruses - The Weather Channel

(Shenandoah) Its no doubt that most people getting into broadcasting were influenced by the people they watched or listened to growing up.

Looking back to my formative ears, I can point to a number of legendary figures that put the bug in my earand in my mindto consider a career in broadcast journalism. Walter Cronkite, Huntley and Brinkley, Frank McGee, Peter Jennings, Jules Bergman, Tom Brokaw, Dan Rather. All but the last two luminaries are gone now.

Sadly, one by one, the faces and voices of my early years are disappearing. Earlier this month, I lost another one of my heroes with the passing of Hugh Downs.

Tributes to one of Americas most ubiquitous media personalities have been numerous since Downs passing July 1st. In fact, writing my own particular salute in last weeks blog would have saved me loads of trouble. But, I digress. I still wanted to express my own appreciation to another career role model.

Its a good bet that no broadcaster was more versatile than Hugh Downs. He was more than a news anchor. He was an announcer, a game show host, an actor and a musician. Its safe to say he put 150 years of living in 99. Consider all of his lifes accomplishments:

---Downs cut his teeth at radio and TV stations in Chicago in the 1940s and 50s. He was an alum of the so-called Chicago School of Television, ushering in a more conversational style of communications.

---He made his early mark in network broadcasting as announcer on the childrens TV series Kukla, Frank and Ollie, on the NBC daytime program Home, and on the landmark NBC weekend radio program, Monitor.

---He moved on to become Jack Paars sidekick on NBCs Tonight Show from 1957-to-62. In fact, Downs took over as host unexpectedly one night when Paar suddenly quit. Paar walked off after learning NBC deleted a joke from the previous nights program about a water closet (which is now considered pretty tame, compared to todays radio and TV humor). Paar came back a month later.

---From 1958-to-69, Downs hosted the NBC game show Concentration. Thats the show in which you had solve a rebus puzzle after matching prizes concealed behind a board with 30 numbers. Many a child of the 1960s watched the show on sick days or snow days.

---In 1962, Downs began a nine-year stint as host of NBCs Today Show. Downs guided the early-morning program through the turbulent 1960s. He actually hosted the first Saturday edition of Today the morning after President Kennedys assassination in 1963. It was on that fateful program that a young, aspiring writer named Barbara Walters made one of her first TV appearances. Teamed with Walters, Jack Lescoulie, Joe Garagiola, and Frank Blair, Downs helped make Today required viewing in the 60s.

---Downs was a huge space program buff. He anchored a special edition of Today from the Kennedy Space Center on the morning of Apollo 11s launch. He was the announcer on a special record with audio highlights of the first moon landing.

---Tired of the early-morning grind, Downs left Today in 1971, and retired in Arizona. Not so fast. In 1978, ABC News asked Downs to take over as anchor of its struggling news magazine, 20/20. Thus began another long run, cementing Downs legendary status. He was later reunited with Barbara Walters, giving 20/20 that same sense of magic the two created during their Today years.

---Downs was never afraid to take risks, or do something daring. His Today years included memorable interviews with actress Bette Davis, Martin Luther King Jr., and Dr. Timothy Leary. While on 20/20, Downs flew a Space Shuttle simulator, and went deep sea diving with great white sharks. He even filed a story on his own knee replacement surgery, watching the surgery as it was happening. This reporter often passes out during blood tests. But, again, I digress.

---As if Downs wasnt cool enough, he also appeared in animated form in a guest shot on Family Guy. (Its well worth watching the episode, just to hear Downs say, Remember me, dirt bag?)

---Somehow, Downs found time to raise two children with his wife Ruth, and even compose his own music.

Other than all this, Hugh Downs didnt do much!

Believe it or not, theres more to the men and women you see or hear reporting the news. Hopefully, reading the highlights of Downs career will give you a sense of that. We will never see the likes of someone like him again. But, young people getting into the business would be wise to emulate him in terms of versatility, curiosity, longevity. Those are traits that can carry anyone in this business far.

May he rest in peace. Hugh Downs, AWAAAAAAAAAY!!!!

Mike Peterson is senior news anchor/reporter with KMA News. The opinions expressed in this blog are not necessarily those of this station, its management or its ownership.

Go here to see the original:
Sundays With Mike: In appreciation of Hugh Downs - KMAland

New Brooklyn Nets shooting guard Jamal Crawford is the oldest player in the NBA at the moment. Hes three months older than Miami Heat icon Udonis Haslem, who held the title of the oldest player in the league before Brooklyn signed Crawford this week.

During an interview with Marc Berman of the New York Post, the new Nets signee spoke about how hes been able to keep his body in tip-top condition for so many years.

My wife changed my diet a few years ago, and that was huge, Jamal Crawford said in explaining his longevity.

And Im just staying in love with the game. I didnt turn 40. I turned 20 twice. I have no idea what my role will be, but whatever it is, I will try to do it to the best of my ability. Im just thankful to the Nets for the opportunity.

The Nets signed Crawford and Michael Beasley since they desperately needed bodies for the bubble games. Brooklyn will be without Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, DeAndre Jordan, Spencer Dinwiddie, Wilson Chandler, and Tauren Prince down in Orlando, Florida, so it made all the sense in the world for general manager Sean Marks to add Crawford and Beasley.

Crawford played with the Phoenix Suns during the 2018-19 season. He averaged 7.9 points, 1.3 rebounds, and 3.6 assists in 64 regular-season games while shooting 39.7 percent from the field, 33.2 percent from beyond the arc, and 84.5 percent from the free-throw line.

Nothing is set in stone, but theres a chance the Nets could bring Crawford back for the 2020-21 season since the three-time Sixth Man of the Year has a strong relationship with both Durant and Irving.

Continue reading here:
Jamal Crawford reveals the secret to his longevity - ClutchPoints

MedicalResearch.com Interview with:

John Gerard TowerProfessor of biological sciencesUniversity of Southern California

MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study?

Response: Mifepristone is a synthetic steroid drug that is used in humans for birth control and as a treatment for Cushings disease, and is currently in clinical trials as an anti-cancer treatment.

We have previously shown that mifepristone dramatically increases the life span of mated female Drosophila flies.

MedicalResearch.com: What are the main findings?

Response: In the present study, we find that mifepristone increases fly life span by altering genes and metabolic pathways that are shared with humans, including interactions with the microbiome.

In addition, we find that mifepristone increases the life span of mated C. elegans worms.

MedicalResearch.com: What should readers take away from your report?

Response: It is striking how conserved the regulation of life span appears to be across species. The metabolism associated with a long, healthy life in humans is similar to the metabolism associated with a long, healthy life in flies, and this is promoted by mifepristone. The finding that mifepristone can increase life span in species as different as fly and worm suggests the possibility that mifepristone might also be able to increase life span in humans.

MedicalResearch.com: What recommendations do you have for future research as a result of this work?

Response: It will be important to identify the exact molecular target of mifepristone in the fly, as this remains unknown, and identifying this target may be useful for designing further anti-aging interventions. It may also be of interest to design human clinical trials to test for possible life span effects of mifepristone.

Nothing to disclose.

Citation:

John Tower, Sean P Curran, Daniel E L Promislow, Jie Shen, Mina Abdelmesieh, Shinwoo Lee, Palak Patel, Jimmy Wu, Tianyi Wang, Jonah Vroegop, Ina Wang, Yang Fan, Lu Wang, Chia-An Yen, Devon V Doherty, Gary N Landis.Metabolic Signatures of Life Span Regulated by Mating, Sex Peptide and Mifepristone/RU486 in Female Drosophila melanogaster.The Journals of Gerontology: Series A, 2020; DOI:10.1093/gerona/glaa164

We respect your privacy and will never share your details.

The information on MedicalResearch.com is provided for educational purposes only, and is in no way intended to diagnose, cure, or treat any medical or other condition. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health and ask your doctor any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. In addition to all other limitations and disclaimers in this agreement, service provider and its third party providers disclaim any liability or loss in connection with the content provided on this website.

1

Excerpt from:
Mifepristone Increases Lifespan in Flies and Worms...Can It Improve Longevity in Humans? - MedicalResearch.com

In a previous article, we looked at an exercise that will prepare you for a Pilates Teaser. Today we look at the Pilates Teaser, and as stated before, it looks a lot easier to do than what it is. Get ready to do an intense exercise with a ZEN FACE.

The Pilates Teaser is another trademark Pilates exercise. It can be seen as the logo of many Pilates Studios. The Teaser works your abdominals as you curve your spine off of the mat and extends your legs out to 45. I often notice that clients do not fully extend their knees. The importance of the knee extension is to encourage a good contraction in your thighs. If you can do anything to tone your thighs a little more, then this is one of those simple things. When you are up in your Teaser position, you will feel how your back muscles kick in to keep you up there. YAY, additional toning for you back too.

Think of achieving flow and thought throughout the movement. Link your mind to your body and feel what your body is doing every inch of the way. With that in mind, enjoy the deep flexion in your spine as your abdominals resist gravity when you roll back down onto your mat. Maybe give yourself a cheeky smile at the end when you realize you DID IT!

The beauty of Pilates is that it always seems so effortless, however, when you get onto the mat or Pilates Equipment, you will realize that it is anything by effortless. It is synergistic coordination of the body in motion as it tones, mobilizes, and stretches all the areas that need just that.

Guess what? We will be looking at Teaser 2 and Teaser 3 real soon. So, if you thought that it cannot get more intense than this, you were wrong.

Pilates is not just for stretching and breathing. It is intense and the progression of the exercises allows us to see improvement in our body as we move. If you are ready to do the Teaser, then try and do between 4 10 of these every day. You will definitely see a huge improvement in the tone of your tummy and your legs. So, grab the mat, get down, have a conversation with yourself, and go for it. The more exercise you do like The Teaser, the stronger you will get, and the quicker you will see results. Not only will you look great, but you will feel amazing. Why? Because you will feel the strength settling into your body more and more each month. That is the beauty of consistency.

Please be aware that if you have any spinal injuries, you will need to get consent from your Health Care Professional in order to ensure that your safety comes first.

Inhale, lift your chest while you float your arms to your sides, exhale, roll up through the spine, extend the legs, inhale in the Teaser position and then exhale rolling back down to the starting position. Repeat this sequence 4 10 times and remember that you need to contract your abdominals as you exhale.

Take a mind-body journey with Pilates and Tanya Thompson. I would like to invite you to discover movements differently. Take this time to be still, feel, and embrace what your body has to offer you. This week we will be looking at how you can train your body in Pilates with the Pilates Teaser.

The focus of this exercise is to work your abdominals and spine effectively with your leg extended away from your body. Think, fully extended knees, legs pressing up against each other and a smooth flow in your spine. Think of creating really long movements with your limbs whilst transitioning from a deep curve in your spine to an extension in your spine. The movement should be calm, the exercise should look effortless and the intensity should be transferred throughout the body. As we embark on this Pilates journey, we will introduce you to both Pilates Mat and Pilates Equipment repertoire. Enjoy!

Go here to read the rest:
Are you ready to tone your legs and tummy with the Pilates Teaser? - Longevity LIVE

Planning to live beyond 100 years old? Then you do not have to live alone since one centenarian advised health and wellness website Well+Good. Instead, you can simply model your dietary and lifestyle habits after those living in Blue Zones.

For those who may not be familiar about them, the Blue Zones are five areas around the world that have the longest-living and healthiest populations. These are:

All the locations listed above have nine things in common and one of these is their eating habits, all in spite of being in completely different geographical locations and cultures.

Though their long life owes mainly to where and how they live, some of their dietary methods for longevity can easily be applied to an American lifestyle. Originally shared in a seminar hosted by the Global Wellness Summit, journalist and Blue Zones expert Dan Buettner gives us some of his top nutrition hacks that will help you live like the longest-living people on Earth, all based on years of research:

Drinking Wine After 5 In The Afternoon

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, this one seems tricky to pull off since it requires having meals with friends. Buettner said that there is plenty of evidence in Blue Zones suggesting that just two glasses of wine daily probably lowers your mortality, especially with friends and a meal.

A few glasses of wine are good for at least a few potetntial reasons. Registered dietitian Tracy Lockwood Beckerman told Well+Good that wine is rich in antioxidants, has anti-inflammatory properties and has been linked with a reduced risk of heart disease.

(A Mostly) Plant-Based Diet

People living in the Blue Zones have been practicing a mostly plant-based diet for generations. According to Buettner, they are eating 90 to 100 percent plant-based food "beyond a shadow of a doubt."

Plant-based diets have been shown to be heart-, gut- and brain-friendly. In addition, vegetables, grains and other plant-based foods have less carbon footprint compared to meat and dairy.

Lots Of Carbs

Buettner said that people in Blue Zones typically consume about 65 percent of their daily calories in carbohydrate form. This makes sense for one reason: It typically comes with lots of gut-filling fiber, in addition to vitamins and minerals that are needed by your body to function optimally.

However, the carbs they consumed are not refined, processed carbs such as those found in white bread or in sugary treats, but those from grains, greens, nuts, beans and other natural sources. Beans, in particular, beat all other carb types. Buettner said that eating about a cup of the "longevity all-star food" adds an extra four years to your life expectancy.

Occasional Meat Eating

According to Buettner, meat is considered a celebratory food in the Blue Zones and is typically only eaten about five times per month. He added that those living in these communities typically stick to a portion "no bigger than the size of the deck of cards" -- equivalent to about 3 ounces. This makes sense from a scientific perspective: Meat may be loaded with protein, B vitamins and bioavailable iron but too much of it can lead to health issues such as cardiovascular disease and colorectal cancer. Plus, higher meat intakes in men and women are tied to higher rates of cancer and all-cause mortality.

Sticking To Water, Coffee And Wine

That means no soda and other sugary beverages. Buettner said that people living in Blue Zones drink six glasses of water a day, plus coffee in the morning and a glass of wine for dinner.

Modified Forms Of Intermittent Fasting

That does not mean those living in Blue Zones are dieters. More accurately, they typically eat in ways that are similar to what is called intermittent fasting, per Buettner. According to him, "they breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince, and dinner like a pauper, and they tend to eat all their calories in an eight hour window, leaving 16 hours for their digestive systems to rest." This means they eat more of breakfast and less of dinner and do not eat late at night. (Intermittent fasting itself does have its share of potential longevity-related benefits.) Do note, however, that intermittent fasting is not for everyone, especially those who are pregnant, breastfeeding or have a history of eating disorders.

Here's something to look forward to with aging. Photo courtesy of Shutterstock

The rest is here:
Eating For Longevity Hacks From The Longest-Living People On Earth - Medical Daily

July 7, 2020 Medtronicannounced it received U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) clearance and European CE mark approval for its Linq II insertable cardiac monitor (ICM) with remote programming, which enables clinicians to optimize device settings without the need for patients to return to the office or hospital. The Linq II system also delivers improved device longevity compared to other ICMs and enhanced accuracy to correctly detect abnormal heart rhythms, simplifying the diagnosis and monitoring of patients. The new devices allows continuous cardiac monitoring for 4.5 years using nominal settings.[1]

Linq II is a small (one-third the size of a AAA battery), wireless ICM for patients with abnormal heart rhythms who experience infrequent symptoms including dizziness, palpitations, syncope (fainting) and chest pain, thereby requiring long-term monitoring or ongoing management. The device will be commercially available in the U.S. and Europe later this summer.

In the current COVID-19 environment, the Linq II system offers patients a seamless way to experience ongoing connectivity between their device and their physician, while reducing the need for in-office visits, said Rob Kowal, M.D., Ph.D., chief medical officer of the Cardiac Rhythm and Heart Failure division, which is part of the Cardiac and Vascular Group at Medtronic. Linq II gives physicians actionable data to help diagnose underlying heart conditions and define treatment protocols for patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) or other abnormal heart rhythms.

The Linq II device incorporates many of the features of Linq with TruRhythm plus improvements that differentiate the device from other ICMs: Accuracy and Streamlined Workflows: The Linq II device has the lowest published rates of AF false detections compared to previous ICMs.[2-5] It also has an industry exclusive premature ventricular contraction (PVC) detector to help with patient diagnosis; PVCs are extra, abnormal heartbeats that begin in the ventricles, and disrupt the heart rhythm. Additionally, clinicians spend 33 percent less time reviewing ICM transmissions,[6] resulting in potential office efficiencies and reduced costs due to more streamlined workflows. Remote Programming: The Linq II ICM offers remote programming, which reduces the need for patients to come into the office to have their device settings adjusted a benefit for both patients and physicians, especially during the current COVID-19 pandemic. Remote Patient Management: Patients with the Linq II ICM can choose one of two monitoring options to fit their lifestyles and increase remote monitoring compliance, potentially leading to improved patient outcomes. Patients can use their smartphones to automatically transfer device data via the MyCareLink Heart mobile app using BlueSync technology thatenables secure communication via Bluetooth. Patients who are unable or prefer not to use a cell phone can transmit device data with the MyCareLink Relay Home Communicator. Increased Longevity: The Linq II device offers an extended duration of continuous monitoring at 4.5 years using nominal settings.[1] Continuous monitoring gives physicians greater insights into patient data, aids in diagnoses and helps them manage chronic cardiac arrhythmias.

For more information: http://www.medtronic.com

References:1. Linq IIClinician Manual. M974764A001.2 BiotronikBioMonitor2 Technical Manual. 2017.3. NlkerG, et al. J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol. 2016;27:1403-1410.4. Confirm Rx ICM DM3500 FDA Clearance Letter. 2017.5. PrerfellnerH, et al. Europace. 2018;20:f321-f3286. Alert Analysis for Linq II with TruRhythm and Linq II, Medtronic data on file, 2020.

See the original post:
Next Generation Medtronic ICM Offers Remote Programming and Improved Longevity - Diagnostic and Interventional Cardiology

ROCHESTER, N.Y. Bats are thought to be hosts for a number of deadly human viruses, including Ebola, rabies, and SARS-CoV-2 (the virus responsible for COVID-19). Despite carrying these viruses, however, bats themselves are relatively immune to the ill effects of viruses. In a new review paper published in the journal Cell Metabolism, University of Rochester scientists explain the mechanisms underlying bat virus tolerance and how bat immune systems may provide clues to treating viruses like SARS-CoV-2.

Although the origins of SARS-CoV-2 are not known for certain, the authors of the paper believe that the virus originated in bats and was subsequently transmitted to humans. Interestingly, although bats carry SARS-CoV-2, they seem to suffer no ill effects from it.

In addition to their virus tolerance, bats are remarkable for another reason: they live much longer than other animals of similar size. In general, body size tends to be closely related to lifespan. Smaller animals have shorter lives, while large ones live longer. Not so for bats. Many bat species can live for 30 to 40 years, which is unusual for their body size.

Weve been interested in longevity and disease resistance in bats for a while, but we didnt have the time to sit and think about it, says lead author Vera Gorbunova in a statement. Gorbunova is the Doris Johns Cherry Professor of Biology at Rochester. Being in quarantine gave us time to discuss this, and we realized there may be a very strong connection between bats resistance to infectious diseases and their longevity. We also realized that bats can provide clues to human therapies used to fight diseases.

Gorbunova and fellow scientist Andrei Seluanov have studied disease resistance and longevity in other animals, including naked mole rats, which have exceptionally long lifespans. A common factor across long-living species is inflammation, or rather, a lack thereof. These species tend to have dampened inflammatory responses, particularly when infected with viruses.

Inflammation is a key characteristic of aging and age-related diseases such as cancer, Alzheimers disease, and cardiovascular disease. One inflammation trigger is viruses, including SARS-CoV-2.

With COVID-19, the inflammation goes haywire, and it may be the inflammatory response that is killing the patient, more so than the virus itself, says Gorbunova. The human immune system works like that: once we get infected, our body sounds an alarm and we develop a fever and inflammation. The goal is to kill the virus and fight infection, but it can also be a detrimental response as our bodies overreact to the threat.

Unlike humans, bats bodies are able to reduce viral replication without a strong immune response. This is beneficial because it controls the virus, but does not create a harmful inflammatory response.The researchers suggest that there may be several factors explaining how bats came to develop such unique immune systems throughout evolution.

First, bats are the only mammals with the ability to fly. This ability may have required them to develop tolerance to a variety of factors. They include temperature changes, metabolic changes, and molecular damage. In turn, these adaptations may help them to fight off diseases.

Bats also live in very crowded spaces. They often hang close to one another in caves or trees. This cozy style of living means that viruses and other diseases spread easily in bat colonies.

Bats are constantly exposed to viruses, Seluanov says. They are always flying out and bringing back something new to the cave or nest, and they transfer the virus because they live in such close proximity to each other.

The researchers explain that bats and viruses are in an evolutionary arms race. As bats immune systems evolve to fight a virus, the virus evolves to beat the bats immune systems. This cycle continues on and on.

Usually the strongest driver of new traits in evolution is an arms race with pathogens, Gorbunova says. Dealing with all of these viruses may be shaping bats immunity and longevity.

So, why dont humans just gather together in crowded spaces to give our immune systems a chance to develop tolerance to viruses?

As the researchers explain, bat immune systems have evolved over thousands of years, not a few months. While our social gathering traits are similar to bats, our immune systems have not yet evolved to fight off viruses in the same way bats can.

The consequences may be that our bodies experience more inflammation, Gorbunova says.

Humans have two possible strategies if we want to prevent inflammation, live longer, and avoid the deadly effects of diseases like COVID-19, Gorbunova says. One would be to not be exposed to any viruses, but thats not practical. The second would be to regulate our immune system more like a bat.

Like studies? Follow us on Facebook!

More here:
Bats may have started the coronavirus pandemic. Could they be the key to ending it? - Study Finds

Purely to preserve the longevity of Virat Kohli: Tom Moody has his say on split captaincy in Team India - cricket - Hindustan Times "; forYoudata += ""; forYoudata += ""; forYoudata += ""; count++; if (i === 7) { return false; } }); forYouApiResponse=forYoudata; $(forutxt).html('Recommended for you'); $(foruContent).html(forYoudata); } } }); } else if(forYouApiResponse!=''){ $(forutxt).html('Recommended for you'); $(foruContent).html(forYouApiResponse); } } function getUserData(){ $.ajax({ url:"https://www.hindustantimes.com/newsletter/get-active-subscription?usertoken="+user_token, type:"GET", dataType:"json", success: function(res){ if(res.length>0) { $("[id^=loggedin]").each(function(){ $(this).hide(); }); } } }); } function postUserData(payLoad, elm){ var msgelm=$(elm).parents(".subscribe-update").nextAll("#thankumsg"); $.ajax({ url:"https://www.hindustantimes.com/newsletter/subscribe", type:"POST", data:payLoad, contentType: "application/json", dataType: "json", success: function(res){ if(res.success===true){ $(msgelm).show(); $("[id^=loggedin]").each(function(){ $(this).css("display","none"); }); $("[id^=loggedout]").each(function(){ $(this).css("display","none"); }); } else if(res.exceptionResponse.alreadySubscribed===true){ $(msgelm).show(); $("[id^=loggedin]").each(function(){ $(this).css("display","none"); }); $("[id^=loggedout]").each(function(){ $(this).css("display","none"); }); $(msgelm).find(".subscribed-successfully:first span.msg").text(res.exceptionResponse.message); } } }); }function captchverification(captchaResponse) {$('#captchaResponse').value = captchaResponse;$("#captcha-div").removeClass("block");$("body").removeAttr("style");var payLoad=JSON.stringify({ "domain": "HT", "emailId": email, "googleCaptcha": captchaResponse, "subscriptionTypes": [ "daily" ] });postUserData(payLoad,activeElm);} function subscribeNewsletter(inputText) { activeElm=inputText; var mailformat = /^w+([.-]?w+)*@w+([.-]?w+)*(.w{2,3})+$/; if(inputText.val().match(mailformat)) { inputText.focus(); email=inputText.val(); $("#captcha-div").addClass("block"); $("body").css("overflow","hidden"); return true; } else { alert("You have entered an invalid email address!"); inputText.focus(); return false; } } //DFP Ads var $dfpRightAd1 = $('.dfp-rightAd1-' + storyUuid); var $dfpRightAd2 = $('.dfp-rightAd2-' + storyUuid); var $dfpRightAd3 = $('.dfp-rightAd3-' + storyUuid); var $dfpRightAd4 = $('.dfp-rightAd4-' + storyUuid); var $dfpRightAd5 = $('.dfp-rightAd5-' + storyUuid); var $dfpStoryAd1 = $('.dfp-storyAd1-' + storyUuid); var $dfpStoryAd2 = $('.dfp-storyAd2-' + storyUuid); var $dfpStoryAd3 = $('.dfp-storyAd3-' + storyUuid); var $dfpStoryAd4 = $('.dfp-storyAd4-' + storyUuid); var $dfpStoryAd5 = $('.dfp-storyAd5-' + storyUuid); var $centerAd = $('.centerAd-' + storyUuid); getPersonlizeData(''); displayAd($dfpRightAd1,'/1055314/HT_StoryPages_300x250_Top',[[300, 250], [300, 600]]); displayAd($dfpRightAd2,'/3106570/HT_Desk_Story_BS_Multisize',['fluid', [300, 100]]); var rightMiddleScrollHandler = function () { if ($dfpRightAd3.isInViewport()) { displayAd($dfpRightAd3, '/1055314/HT_StoryPages_300x250_Middle', [[300, 250], [300, 600]]); $(window).off("scroll", rightMiddleScrollHandler); } } $(window).on("scroll", rightMiddleScrollHandler); var rightTabRepTopScrollHandler = function () { if ($dfpRightAd4.isInViewport()) { displayAd($dfpRightAd4, '/1055314/HT_Desk_Story_TabRep_Top_Multisize', [[300, 250], [300, 600]]); $(window).off("scroll", rightTabRepTopScrollHandler); } } $(window).on("scroll", rightTabRepTopScrollHandler); var rightTabRepBottomScrollHandler = function () { if ($dfpRightAd5.isInViewport()) { displayAd($dfpRightAd5, '/1055314/HT_Desk_Story_TabRep_Bottom_Multisize', [300, 250]); $(window).off("scroll", rightTabRepBottomScrollHandler); } } $(window).on("scroll", rightTabRepBottomScrollHandler); var storyCenterScrollHandler = function () { if ($centerAd.isInViewport()) { displayAd($centerAd, '/1055314/HT_Desk_Story_ES_Top_728x90', [728, 90]); $(window).off("scroll", storyCenterScrollHandler); } } $(window).on("scroll", storyCenterScrollHandler); //Inline story ads var storyAd1ScrollHandler = function () { if ($dfpStoryAd1.isInViewport()) { displayAd($dfpStoryAd1, storyAdList[0].ad, [728, 90]); $(window).off("scroll", storyAd1ScrollHandler); } } $(window).on("scroll", storyAd1ScrollHandler); var storyAd2ScrollHandler = function () { if ($dfpStoryAd2.isInViewport()) { displayAd($dfpStoryAd2, storyAdList[1].ad, [728, 90]); $(window).off("scroll", storyAd2ScrollHandler); } } $(window).on("scroll", storyAd2ScrollHandler); var storyAd3ScrollHandler = function () { if ($dfpStoryAd3.isInViewport()) { displayAd($dfpStoryAd3, storyAdList[2].ad, [728, 90]); $(window).off("scroll", storyAd3ScrollHandler); } } $(window).on("scroll", storyAd3ScrollHandler); var storyAd4ScrollHandler = function () { if ($dfpStoryAd4.isInViewport()) { displayAd($dfpStoryAd4, storyAdList[3].ad, [728, 90]); $(window).off("scroll", storyAd4ScrollHandler); } } $(window).on("scroll", storyAd4ScrollHandler); var storyAd5ScrollHandler = function () { if ($dfpStoryAd5.isInViewport()) { displayAd($dfpStoryAd5, storyAdList[4].ad, [728, 90]); $(window).off("scroll", storyAd5ScrollHandler); } } $(window).on("scroll", storyAd5ScrollHandler); validateUser($("#loggedin"),$("#loggedout")); if(user_token){ $("#loggedin .subscribe-text").html("Subscribe to get our daily newsletter in your inbox"); $("#loginSub").click(function(){ var udata=JSON.stringify({ "domain": "HT", "userToken": user_token, "googleCaptcha": "string", "subscriptionTypes": [ "daily" ] }); postUserData(udata,this); }); }else{ $("#loggedout .subscribe-text").html("Enter your email to get our daily newsletter in your inbox"); $("#subscribeBtn").click(function(){ subscribeNewsletter($(this).prev()); }); } function ScrollMe(uuid) {var id = uuid.replace('story_','').trim(); id = id +"_story";var newid = uuid.trim();$('#ulInfinite').each(function() {var phrase = '';$(this).find('li').each(function(j, lix) {var myid = $(lix).attr('id');if (myid.trim() == newid.trim())$(lix).addClass("active");else$(lix).removeClass("active");});});var element = document.getElementById(id);element.scrollIntoView();element.scrollIntoView({behavior : "auto",block : "start",inline : "nearest"});$('html, body').animate({scrollTop : $("#" + newid).offset().top - 800}, 800, 'swing');}function InfiniteScroll() {var nextURL = listUrl[urlCount];var $container = $('.articles').infiniteScroll({path : function() {return nextURL;},append : '.article',status : '.scroller-status',hideNav : '.pagination',loadOnScroll : false,scrollThreshold : false});$container.infiniteScroll('loadNextPage');$container.on('history.infiniteScroll', function(event, title, path) {var currentID = "article_" + getStoryIdByUrl('https://www.hindustantimes.com/cricket/purely-to-preserve-the-longevity-of-virat-kohli-tom-moody-has-his-say-on-split-captaincy-in-team-india/story-SBUxd0MHSaOOW8WvErUlNM.html');var articleID = "article_" + getStoryIdByUrl(path);document.title = title;var temp = path.replace('.html', '').split('-');temp = temp.reverse();var forNid = temp[0].trim();$('#ulInfinite li').removeClass("active");$('#story_' + forNid).addClass("active");var n = gatag.includes(articleID, 0);if(n==false){gatag.push(articleID);showSkippablePopup();ga('send', {hitType : 'pageview',location : window.location.hostname.trim(),title : title.trim(),page : window.location.pathname.trim(),dimension15 : title});}window.snowplow("trackPageView", title);window.snowplow('resetPagePing');if (typeof COMSCORE != 'undefined'&& typeof COMSCORE.beacon !== 'undefined') {COMSCORE.beacon({c1 : "2",c2 : "6035286"});}});$container.on('load.infiniteScroll', function(event, response, path) {urlCount++;});var counter = 1;var uuid;$container.on('append.infiniteScroll', function(event, response, path, items) {uuid= $(items).find('.get-uuid').val();var elmLogin=$(items).find('#loggedin');var elmLogout=$(items).find('#loggedout');getPersonlizeData(items); validateUser(elmLogin,elmLogout); if(user_token){ getUserData(); $(elmLogin).find(".subscribe-text").html("Subscribe to get our daily newsletter in your inbox"); $(items).find("#loginSub").click(function(){ var udata=JSON.stringify({ "domain": "HT", "userToken": user_token, "googleCaptcha": "string", "subscriptionTypes": [ "daily" ] }); postUserData(udata, this); }); }else{ $(elmLogout).find(".subscribe-text").html("Enter your email to get our daily newsletter in your inbox"); $(items).find("#subscribeBtn").click(function(){ subscribeNewsletter($(this).prev()); }); }var $dfpRightAd1ES = $(items).find('.dfp-rightAd1-'+uuid); var $dfpRightAd3ES = $(items).find('.dfp-rightAd3-'+uuid); var $dfpRightAd4ES = $(items).find('.dfp-rightAd4-'+uuid); var $dfpRightAd5ES = $(items).find('.dfp-rightAd5-'+uuid); var $centerAdES = $(items).find('.centerAd-' + uuid); var $dfpStoryAd1ES = $('.dfp-storyAd1-' + uuid);var $dfpStoryAd2ES = $('.dfp-storyAd2-' + uuid); var $dfpStoryAd3ES = $('.dfp-storyAd3-' + uuid); var $dfpStoryAd4ES = $('.dfp-storyAd4-' + uuid); var $dfpStoryAd5ES = $('.dfp-storyAd5-' + uuid); var isVideoExists = $(items).find('.video-js'); var isVideo=false; if (isVideoExists.length > 0) { isVideo=true; } var rightESTopScrollHandler = function () { if ($dfpRightAd1ES.isInViewport()) { displayAd($dfpRightAd1ES, rightAdList[0].ad, rightAdList[0].adsizes); $(window).off("scroll", rightESTopScrollHandler); } } $(window).on("scroll", rightESTopScrollHandler); var rightESMiddleScrollHandler = function () { if ($dfpRightAd3ES.isInViewport()) { displayAd($dfpRightAd3ES, rightAdList[1].ad, rightAdList[1].adsizes); $(window).off("scroll", rightESMiddleScrollHandler); } } $(window).on("scroll", rightESMiddleScrollHandler); var rightESTabRepTopScrollHandler = function () { if ($dfpRightAd4ES.isInViewport()) { displayAd($dfpRightAd4ES, rightAdList[2].ad, rightAdList[2].adsizes); $(window).off("scroll", rightESTabRepTopScrollHandler); } } $(window).on("scroll", rightESTabRepTopScrollHandler); var rightESTabRepBottomScrollHandler = function () { if ($dfpRightAd5ES.isInViewport()) { displayAd($dfpRightAd5ES, rightAdList[3].ad, rightAdList[3].adsizes); $(window).off("scroll", rightESTabRepBottomScrollHandler); } } $(window).on("scroll", rightESTabRepBottomScrollHandler); var storyCenterScrollHandler = function () { if ($centerAdES.isInViewport()) { displayAd($centerAdES, '/1055314/HT_Desk_Story_ES_Top_728x90', [728, 90]); $(window).off("scroll", storyCenterScrollHandler); } } $(window).on("scroll", storyCenterScrollHandler); //Story Inline ads var storyESAd1ScrollHandler = function () { if ($dfpStoryAd1ES.isInViewport()) { displayAd($dfpStoryAd1ES, storyAdList[0].ad2, [728, 90]); $(window).off("scroll", storyESAd1ScrollHandler); } } $(window).on("scroll", storyESAd1ScrollHandler); var storyESAd2ScrollHandler = function () { if ($dfpStoryAd2ES.isInViewport()) { displayAd($dfpStoryAd2ES, storyAdList[1].ad2, [728, 90]); $(window).off("scroll", storyESAd2ScrollHandler); } } $(window).on("scroll", storyESAd2ScrollHandler); var storyESAd3ScrollHandler = function () { if ($dfpStoryAd3ES.isInViewport()) { displayAd($dfpStoryAd3ES, storyAdList[2].ad2, [728, 90]); $(window).off("scroll", storyESAd3ScrollHandler); } } $(window).on("scroll", storyESAd3ScrollHandler); var storyESAd4ScrollHandler = function () { if ($dfpStoryAd4ES.isInViewport()) { displayAd($dfpStoryAd4ES, storyAdList[3].ad, [728, 90]); $(window).off("scroll", storyESAd4ScrollHandler); } } $(window).on("scroll", storyESAd4ScrollHandler); var storyESAd5ScrollHandler = function () { if ($dfpStoryAd5ES.isInViewport()) { displayAd($dfpStoryAd5ES, storyAdList[4].ad, [728, 90]); $(window).off("scroll", storyESAd5ScrollHandler); } } $(window).on("scroll", storyESAd5ScrollHandler); counter++;if (urlCount = n && o = n ? t.play() : t.pause()) : console.log("iOS") }) }); }}else if(isVideo){$(items).find("video[id^='myPlayerID_']").each(function(t, e) {var n = "myPlayerID_" + $(e).attr("data-video-id");bc(n), videojs(n).ready(function() {this.scrollIntoView()}) });}$(items).find("div[id^='right-swiper-']").each(function(i, e) {var swipID = $(e).attr("id");var storySwiper = new Swiper('#' + swipID, {pagination : {el : '.swiper-pagination',clickable : true},preloadImages : false,lazyLoading : true,simulateTouch : false,autoplay : {delay : 3000,}});});var ind = 0;$(items).find('.read-more').each(function(ind, obj) {ind = ind + 1;var html = $(items).find("#inlineStory" + ind).html();$(this).html(html);});$(items).find('img.lazy').each(function(i, e) {$(e).lazyload({effect : "fadeIn",effectTime : 20,threshold : 200,failurelimit : 0});});//getSeoContent(items);});}var reqOpen = true;$(document).bind("scroll",function() {var viewport = {top : $(document).scrollTop(),left : $(document).scrollLeft()};viewport.bottom = viewport.top + $(document).height();lastScrollTop = viewport.top;var bot = viewport.bottom - $(document).height();if (viewport.top > 200 && (showInfinite)) {if(isCorona && !loaded){var s= document.createElement('script');s.setAttribute('async','');s.src="https://chat.amplify.ai/plugin/5e77327dd8722a5cf17170be/chat_plugin.js?pluginId=5e77327dd8722a5cf17170be";document.getElementsByTagName('head')[0].appendChild(s);loaded=true;}$('.footer-scroll-main').show();if (reqOpen == true) {$('#ulInfinite li:first').addClass("active");$('#ulInfinite li .stroy-link').each(function(i, t) {if(i>0){listUrl.push($(t).html());}});InfiniteScroll();reqOpen = false;} } else if (bot

Read more from the original source:
Purely to preserve the longevity of Virat Kohli: Tom Moody has his say on split captaincy in Team... - Hindustan Times

Of all the things to worry about in the world right now, youd be forgiven if dementiaaka the loss of cognitive functionfailed to make the top of your list. However, dementia is on the rise in the U.S; its most prevalent form, Alzheimers disease, is now the sixth-leading cause of death. So while you shouldnt add this to an increasingly ceaseless inventory of things-which-prevent-sleep, it cant hurt to ever-so-slightly tweak your diet to be more brain health-centric.

Simply put, this means eating more plants, and that includes spices and herbs for brain health. While research is still fairly early stage, Gary W. Small, M.D., director of the UCLA Longevity Center, says that existing studies so far suggest that the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits of certain plants can positively affect brain health.

Plant-based compounds called polyphenols are effective antioxidants, and oxidation is not a good thing in the brain when it creates free radicals that can screw up cellular functioning, says neuroscientist Nan Wise, PhD. Meanwhile, after certain anti-inflammatory drugs, e.g. Aleve or Motrin, were shown to reduce the risk of Alzheimers in older people, Dr. Small and other researchers became interested in safer ways to exert those effects via plants, (since the drugs tend to have side effects).

Below, all the deets on which herbs and spices look promising with respect to brain health based on the existing research, so you can curate your (quarantine) herb garden and spice rack accordingly.

According to Dr. Small, theres epidemiological evidence showing that rates of Alzheimers disease are lower in some parts of the world than otherslike this village in Indiaand one hypothesis is that spicy food contributes to this decreased risk. Particularly, curry, he says. And curry is made made up from curcumin. Curry, ICYMI, gets its curcumin primarily from the spice turmeric.

He put this hypothesis to the test in a small double-blind study,published in the American Journal of Geriatric Psychology, which showed that curcumin did have a significant effect on memory and attention in adults aged 50 to 90 who had mild memory complaints. Over 18 months, curcumin improved memory in this population by 28 percent. They also experienced mild improvements in mood. Though the exact mechanism by which this effect happens is not known, Dr. Small says it likely has something to do with curcumins anti-inflammatory benefits. Dr. Small is currently at work organizing a study that will demonstrate these benefits in a larger cohort.

According to Dr. Wise, the curcumin in turmeric has also been shown to make Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) more available in the brain. DHA is a form of omega-3 fatty acids that is critical for maintaining brain healthdecreases in DHA in the brain are associated with cognitive decline and Alzheimers onset. As an added bonus, this has mental health benefits, too, as higher DHA levels are associated with lowered anxiety.

What cant turmeric do? A top dietitian explains its many health benefits beyond brain health:

The antioxidant-rich spice saffron has been used medicinally since at least the 7th century BC and today, research is showing it may have neuroprotective benefits. According to Megan Obreiter, RD, clinical dietitian at USC Verdugo Hills Hospital, a small 2010 study showed that a daily dose of 15 milligrams of saffron produced a significantly better effect on cognitive function than a placebo; however, after 22 weeks this effect disappeared. Still, another study out of Iran found that saffron was comparable in efficacy to the Alzheimers drug memantine after one year of use, and another study found that it protected mice from neurotoxins. While more research clearly needs to be done, its not the worst idea to add this spice to your diet if you can afford it, especially given that its extremely delicious. (But if not, no worriesthere are lots of other brain-healthy herbs and spices on this list that are great too.)

Rosemary is one of the best herbs for brain health. Obreiter says it has been shown to improve memory in older adults. Its also been shown to inhibit brain cell deathand protect against neurodegenerative diseases, among other benefits, likely thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties.

Sage has been utilized traditionally for its brain benefits, and studies bear out the wisdom in this approach. Both Obreiter and Dr. Wise mention that the herb has been shown to improve learning and cognition in older adults with mild to moderate Alzheimers. Improved memory in healthy individuals has also been noted.

A 2015 animal study showed that an extract made from cinnamon helped protect lab rats from cognitive impairment, says Dr. Wise. It might also have neuroprotective benefits in Parkinsons patients. Its also long been used to improve circulation and can even potentially help regulate blood sugar levels.

Some research suggests that a nutrient found in the ubiquitous-at-the-holidays spice nutmeg may help improve cognition and memory.

Ginger boasts innumerable benefits to health and has specifically been demonstrated to be useful in treating dementia and Alzheimers disease. Its also great for digestion and fighting inflammation.

Ordinary old pepper is not to be overlooked either, says Wise. Its been shown toimprove memory deficit.

Read this article:
The 8 best herbs and spices for brain health, according to experts - Well+Good

When discussing the greatness of a players NBA career, the overlooked aspect of it seems to be the longevity. Staying on the top level of play requires a certain level of dedication and individual excellence that very few possess, and its an underrated part of ones NBA resume.

Another thing that not many talk about, and players are very proud of is doing it with various organizations. Its a result of a narrative switch from preferably being loyal to one team to now bouncing from one franchise to another. Its a career path no one has a problem with anymore, as precedents for all scenarios have been set. Take, for instance, KD signing with the Warriors. That one will be hard to top.

Many attribute player empowerment to LeBron James. His move to the Heat was a ground-breaking moment for all NBA players the ultimate proof that you are in control of your destiny in the league. James endured the hate for it, and its now a common practice in the league.

Playing in his 17th year in the NBA, LeBron has been a part of three different organizations and has seen the top with two of them. We are still waiting for him to conquer the league with the Lakers, as his championship window is slowly closing.

Nevertheless, his teams have always been elite in terms of winning. That plus his longevity may be the most impressive thing about LeBrons career. Hes been able to do it for so long, no matter the jersey he was wearing, inserting himself in an exclusive group of players who were successful with multiple teams.

However, two players top the group of players who won with multiple franchises. Even James is not yet on their level. One of them youd expect to be there, the other may surprise you. The criterion is recording 200+ wins with three different teams. LeBron still hasnt done it in LA, but will probably do it if he stays with the Lakers long enough, as he is 125 games shy of joining the two.

The first one to ever do it was Wilt Chamberlain. Hes less of a surprise between the two who have ever done it. Wilt first won 231 with the Warriors over six years of playing there. During his four years in Philadelphia, Chamberlain did it again, winning 203 games during the span. He then got traded to the Lakers, where he continued with his impact on the teams success. Wilt won 238 games while wearing purple and gold, becoming the first player ever to do it with three different teams.

There was only one player to do it after Wilt, and its Jason Kidd. Over seven years playing with the Nets, Kidd recorded 292 wins, which is the most games he won with one team during his career. He got exactly 200 with the Suns, which will prove to be key. Kidd also recorded 271 wins over his eight seasons in Texas, playing on and off with the Mavs. He capped his career off with a championship ring, joining one of the most dominant forces in Wilt as the only two who pulled it off.

LeBron is the only one with a realistic chance of getting there. It speaks to the difficulty of accomplishing what both Wilt and Kidd were able to accomplish. But to me, its more of a testimony of how great Kidd really was. Because I expected Wilt to be on the list, Kidds name came as a surprise.

I guess I will leave you with that Kidd deserves more respect than hes getting. Because no matter how great he was, he seems to be underrated in NBA circles. Stuff like this shows you why it shouldnt be the case because just being in any conversation with Wilt and LeBron means youve left a significant mark in the league.

Read more:
THE ONLY TWO PLAYERS TO WIN 200+ GAMES With three different franchises - Basketball Network

He was wounded in Italy during the Second World War and still plays a weekly round of golf and on Thursday, Harry Eisenhauer got one heck of a special 100th birthday.

The Military Museums in Calgary threw a special event for the veteran, which started with a ride in an armoured personnel carrier followed by a military band welcoming him to the party.

"Iwas wounded during the war, fortunately only flesh wounds, so Iwas very lucky there," said Eisenhauer."So all in all, my life has been rather wonderful."

Beyond a bit of luck with those flesh wounds, there could be another factor behind his longevity.

"I had an aunt who lived to 103 and five of my siblings have lived between 94 and 96, and so Iguess good genes is one thing, but I've been very lucky physically," said Eisnhauer.

Eisenhauer's daughter, Janice, says the Military Museums was the right spot for the party, considering so many family members across Canada and in the U.S. couldn't make it to celebrate the milestone.

"It was quite a sad beginning of the planning, because we didn't know how we could make it extra special, but with the military museumwe now have a new family, new friends in Calgary and it's made this a special day," she said.

Eisenhauer's 100th year on Earth will bring one immediate change for him: his driver's license expired at midnight on his birthday and he's not going to renew it.

He says that means he'll have to hitch a ride with someone else for his regular round of golf.

Continued here:
Second World War vet honoured on his 100th birthday - CBC.ca

Hot, humid weather is standard stuff for July in Alabama and Tennessee, but theres some good news for the weekend:

It does look slightly less humid for Saturday!

A weak cool front slides past the Tennessee Valley region early Saturday, and it could reduce the humidity enough to get rid of isolated storms for one more day. We had zero rain Friday; well be close to that again on Saturday (little if any).

Regardless of the small drop in humidity Saturday, the weekend looks hot. Saturday and Sunday do have some significant differences, though:

A weak cold front will approach the Tennessee Valley on Sunday, sparking up thunderstorms along the way. The Severe Prediction Center has a *MARGINAL* Risk of severe weather outlined for north Alabama and south Tennessee.

The SPC defines Marginal Risk as an area of severe storms of either limitedorganizationand longevity, or very low coverage and marginal intensity. In other words, isolated severe storms are possible, but they will be limited in duration, coverage, and/or intensity.

The timeframe for Sundays storms is 2pm to 8pm. The potential impacts include damaging wind gusts as high as 50 mph, heavy rainfall, and frequent lightning.

If a thunderstorm moves in on you this weekend, theres a chance the wind could gust over 35 MPH. It may also bring very heavy rain and intense lightning. Be alert!

Track heavy summer storms with WHNT.coms Interactive Radar or swipe over to the radar feature on Live Alert 19! You can also get up-to-date, location-based alerts wherever you are on Live Alert 19. Download it today for iOS and Android.

Looking for the rest of the forecast? Its always online atWHNT.com/Weatherand in the Daily Forecast section onLive Alert 19!

-JasonConnect with me!FacebookTwitter (@simpsonwhnt)

More:
Weekend heat, humidity and some heavy storms! - whnt.com

When Oumou Sangar tells me freedom is at her core, I am not surprised. If you listen to her discography, you'll be hard-pressed to find a song that doesn't center or in some way touch on women's rights or child abuse. The Grammy award-winning Malian singer has spent a significant part of her career using her voice to fight for the rights of women across Africa and the world, a testimony to this is her naming her debut studio album Moussolou, meaning Woman. The album, a pure masterpiece that solidified Oumou's place amongst the greats and earned her the name 'Songbird of Wassoulou,' was a commercial success selling over 250,000 records in Africa and would in turn go on to inspire other singers across the world.

On her latest body of work Acoustic, a reworking of her critically acclaimed 2017 album Mogoya, Oumou Sangar proves how and why she earned her accolades. The entirety of the 11-track album was recorded within two days in the Midi Live studio in Villetaneuse in 'live' conditionswith no amplification, no retakes or overdubs, no headphones. Throughout the album, using her powerful and raw voice that has come to define feminism in Africa and shaped opinions across the continent, Oumou boldly addresses themes like loss, polygamy and female circumcision.

We caught up with the Malian singer at the studio she is staying while in quarantine to talk about her new album, longevity as an artist, and growing up in Mali.

This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.

How would you define good music?

What defines good music is the ability for an artist to spread a good spirit and positive energy in it. People will instantly relate to a good soul. The sound of an artist with a good spirit can travel everywhere, even if people don't understand your lyrics.

What was it like growing up in Mali?

After my father took a second wife and abandoned my mother, I had to help her feed the family. I used to sell water in the street, to sing. We were singing together at ceremonies. Even if I had to struggle, I enjoyed growing up in Bamako. That's what has given me strength in life.

Oumou Sangar.Photo: Benoit Peverelli

One thing that has been consistent in your career and discography is your passion for issues that center women and women's rights, has this been a deliberate choice or did you just find yourself singing about this often?

It was a deliberate choice to speak about women's conditions. I couldn't stay silent after having seen so many women suffer around me, starting with my mother's pain. I promised myself that one day I will scream about this problem to the whole world. In my first album Moussolou (the title means Women) I spoke again the abuses of polygamy, arranged marriage, and the inequalities that Malian women endure. I always tried to show that we could do things based on our own decisions and to be autonomous.

What do you think earn singers longevity, especially the type you have?

I think that if you stay natural and sincere with your music, you will manage to keep this longevity. I've always tried to explore new sounds, to get into something new, but being careful, all the while, to respect my culture and tradition from Wassoulou. People will appreciate and recognize your honesty in your craft. You have to never stop working on your thing and to keep faith in what you are doing.

"Mood 4 Eva" from Beyonc's Lion King: The Gift album was quite a moment, what was it like for you?

On its release date, I received a call saying that a sample of my song "Diaraby Nene" was used in "Mood 4 Eva." So, I didn't directly collaborate with Beyonc or the great artists and producers involved in the song. I really like this new version, and we finally found an agreement. I am a big fan of Beyonc. People in Mali were really proud as well. It's great to see that more and more artists are celebrating and sharing African music with us. We built a strong cultural bridge.

What has it been like making your album Acoustic with everything going on in the world?

I recorded my album Acoustic last summer in Paris' suburbs. Even though I made it almost a year ago, the themes and lyrics that I have addressed still resonate with the current situation that we are living in the world now. With this new project, I revisit most of my songs from my previous release Mogoya, which means "people today" or "human relations," I worried about today's relationships between humans both on a personal level and more globally in our society.

Oumou Sangar.Photo: Benoit Peverelli

Tell me about Acoustic, what is the inspiration and story behind it?

After a fully acoustic performance that I gave in London, my record label and I discussed the idea of an unplugged album. They loved the energy on stage, the space it created for my voice, and the raw sound that emerged from the amazing musicians gathered around me. I liked this spontaneous and natural approach, as If you were playing just between friends. It's a way of recording that afforded each musician the joy of reconnecting with the natural sound of his or her instrument. You can hear the purely acoustic sounds of the Wassoulou melodies without embellishments. There are my talented backing singers Emma Lamadji and Kandy Guira, the musical director and great guitarist Guimba Kouyate and Brahima 'Benogo' Diakite, a virtuoso player of the kamele ngoni, who has been with me since my first album Moussolou. Vincent Taurelle from the Parisian collective Albert, joined the band on Ton, toy organ and celesta.

Why are you choosing to release the music now?

With the hard times we are living now, I thought it was a moment where I could bring something to warm hearts and souls. A little something that could help our brothers and sisters in the frontline, those struggling and/or in pain - and make them feel better, whether it be in Mali, in the US or somewhere else in the world.

What do you think the African music industry will look in the next five years?

The whole world is dancing to African music, people are moving on our rhythms and beats. African music is doing very well. I am sure that the African music industry will continue to flourish in the following years. But we need to be careful, and to keep learning on how to organize ourselves and to structure it in order to preserve this priceless wealth and all of our cultural heritage. We have to take care of it, otherwise, it could cost us dearly in the future.

Who would you say are your biggest influences?

My mother is my number one mentor. I learned to sing and to be streetwise from her. I pay tribute to her in the song "Minata Waraba" (Minata the Lioness). I love everything about Bob Marley, his frankness, his music and continuous fight against injustices. We used to dance a lot to "Get Up, Stand Up," even if we didn't understand what he was saying. The emotion in his voice is thrilling. I also really like Miriam Makeba, she has inspired me a lot. A fierce fighter who struggled against apartheid until her last breath. And I listen a lot to Coumba Sidib, a true ambassador of the culture and sound of Wassoulou.

Read more:
Interview: Oumou Sangar Proves Why She's the Songbird of Wassoulou - OkayAfrica

When it comes to staying healthy, most people have the same motivation: living as long and fulfilling a life as possible. And while science has yet to find a true fountain of youth, researchers have identified certain behaviors that can increase longevity.

One study, published in the journal Circulation last year, even argued that adhering to just five healthy habits could extend your lifespan by roughly a decade. Heres what they are, and what research to date says about living your longest life.

Diet is strongly linked to longevity. Research has long suggested that following a Mediterranean diet which includes plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts and healthy fats, and not much sugar, red meat or processed food brings a host of health benefits, including a longer life.

Other studies have also found longevity benefits associated with some of the specific foods and nutrients included in a Mediterranean diet, such as whole grains, fiber, fish, plant-based proteins and healthy fats. On the other hand, foods including processed snacks and meats, fried foods and sugar-sweetened beverages have been linked to higher risks of chronic disease and death.

Even if your diet isnt perfect, research suggests that making smart changes can add up to sizable benefits. One paper published in 2017 concluded that people who ate 20% more healthy foods than they had at the beginning of the study, over the course of 12 years, decreased their risk of early death by up to 17%.

Working out regularly is a boon for both your physical and mental health, boosting everything from cardiovascular fitness to mood and energy so its no surprise that it can also extend your life. Federal physical activity guidelines recommend aiming for at least 150 minutes of moderate or 75 minutes of vigorous aerobic activity each week, plus twice-weekly muscle-strengthening sessions, to reap health and longevity benefits.

But you dont have to go overboard. Even short bouts of light physical activity, such as walking and cleaning, increased the lifespans of older men and women in studies from 2018 and 2017, respectively. And a study published in January found that simply moving instead of sitting for 30 minutes each day could reduce early death risk by 17%.

If you do opt for a more vigorous workout, some research suggests that team sports like tennis and soccer are best for longevity, because they encourage social interaction as well as exercise.

And if you dont exercise now, you can still start. A recent study found longevity benefits associated with both life-long and later-in-life exercise.

Diet and exercise habits help people maintain a healthy body weight, which the Circulation study defined as a body mass index between 18.5 and 24.9. Obesity is associated with chronic conditions including Type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and cancer, all of which can shorten your life. A 2018 study found that widespread obesity shaved a year off the U.S. life expectancy and is responsible for up to 186,000 deaths per year.

For years, moderate drinking was touted as a harmless and maybe even healthy habit. But recently, scientific opinion has begun to shift toward a more cautious stance on alcohol.

Last year, a large meta-analysis of prior alcohol studies concluded that there is no safe amount of drinking, because the net risks to a population addiction, cancer, traffic accidents and so on outweigh any potential benefits, such as improved cardiovascular and cognitive health. And while each persons risk-benefit analysis depends on his or her family and medical history, research is increasingly supporting the idea that people should limit their alcohol consumption to avoid health problems and increase longevity.

Moderate drinking, according to federal dietary guidelines, means that women should have no more than a drink per day, and men should have no more than two per day.

In addition to causing lung cancer, cigarette-smoking is associated with serious health problems including heart attack, stroke and mouth and throat cancers, making it a significant threat to longevity. The best way to reduce your risk, of course, is never to smoke at all but if you do, experts advise quitting as soon as possible to minimize threats to your health.

Thank you! For your security, we've sent a confirmation email to the address you entered. Click the link to confirm your subscription and begin receiving our newsletters. If you don't get the confirmation within 10 minutes, please check your spam folder.

Write to Jamie Ducharme at jamie.ducharme@time.com.

Read more from the original source:
Want to Live Longer? Science Says to Do These 5 Things | Time