StemCell Therapy

The beluga whale or white whale (Delphinapterus leucas) is an Arctic and sub-Arctic cetacean. It is one of two members of the family Monodontidae, along with the narwhal, and the only member of the genus Delphinapterus. This marine mammal is commonly referred to as the beluga, melonhead, or sea canary due to its high-pitched twitter.

It is adapted to life in the Arctic, so has anatomical and physiological characteristics that differentiate it from other cetaceans. Amongst these are its all-white colour and the absence of a dorsal fin. It possesses a distinctive protuberance at the front of its head which houses an echolocation organ called the melon, which in this species is large and deformable. The beluga's body size is between that of a dolphin's and a true whale's, with males growing up to 5.5m (18ft) long and weighing up to 1,600kg (3,530lb). This whale has a stocky body. A large percentage of its weight is blubber, as is true of many cetaceans. Its sense of hearing is highly developed and its echolocation allows it to move about and find blowholes under sheet ice.

Belugas are gregarious and form groups of up to 10 animals on average, although during the summer, they can gather in the hundreds or even thousands in estuaries and shallow coastal areas. They are slow swimmers, but can dive to 700m (2,300ft) below the surface. They are opportunistic feeders and their diets vary according to their locations and the season. The majority of belugas live in the Arctic Ocean and the seas and coasts around North America, Russia and Greenland; their worldwide population is thought to number around 150,000. They are migratory and the majority of groups spend the winter around the Arctic ice cap; when the sea ice melts in summer, they move to warmer river estuaries and coastal areas. Some populations are sedentary and do not migrate over great distances during the year.

The native peoples of North America and Russia have hunted belugas for many centuries. They were also hunted commercially during the 19th century and part of the 20th century. Whale hunting has been under international control since 1973. Currently, only certain Inuit and Alaska Native groups are allowed to carry out subsistence hunting of belugas. Other threats include natural predators (polar bears and killer whales), contamination of rivers (as with PCBs which bioaccumulate up the food chain), and infectious diseases. From a conservation perspective, the beluga was placed on the International Union for Conservation of Nature's Red List in 2008 as being "near threatened"; the subpopulation from the Cook Inlet in Alaska, however, is considered critically endangered and is under the protection of the United States' Endangered Species Act. Of seven Canadian beluga populations, the two inhabiting eastern Hudson Bay and Ungava Bay are listed as endangered.

Belugas are one of the most commonly kept cetaceans in captivity and are housed in aquariums, dolphinariums, and wildlife parks in North America, Europe, and Asia. They are popular with the public due to their colour and expression.

The beluga was first described in 1776 by Peter Simon Pallas.[1] It is a member of the Monodontidae family, which is in turn part of the parvorder Odontoceti (toothed whales).[1] The Irrawaddy dolphin was once placed in the same family; recent genetic evidence suggests these dolphins belong to the family Delphinidae.[3][4] The narwhal is the only other species within the Monodontidae besides the beluga.[5] A skull has been discovered with intermediate characteristics supporting the hypothesis that hybridization is possible between these two families.[6]

The name of the genus, Delphinapterus, means "dolphin without fin" (from the Greek (delphin), dolphin and (apteros), without fin) and the species name leucas means "white" (from the Greek (leukas), white).[7] The Red List of Threatened Species gives both beluga and white whale as common names, though the former is now more popular. The English name comes from the Russian (belukha), which derives from the word (blyj), meaning "white".[7] The name beluga in Russian refers to an unrelated species, a fish, beluga sturgeon.

The whale is also colloquially known as the sea canary on account of its high-pitched squeaks, squeals, clucks, and whistles. A Japanese researcher says he taught a beluga to "talk" by using these sounds to identify three different objects, offering hope that humans may one day be able to communicate effectively with sea mammals.[8] A similar observation has been made by Canadian researchers, where a beluga which died in 2007 "talked" when he was still a subadult. Another example is NOC, a beluga whale that could mimic the rhythm and tone of human language. Beluga whales in the wild have been reported to imitate human voices.[9]

Mitochondrial DNA studies have shown modern cetaceans last shared a common ancestor between 30 and 34 million years ago.[10] The family Monodontidae separated relatively early from the other odontoceti; it split from the Delphinoidea between 11 and 15 million years ago, and from the Phocoenidae, its closest relatives in evolutionary terms, more recently still.[11] In 2017 the genome of a beluga whale was sequenced, comprising 2.327 Gbp of assembled genomic sequence that encoded 29,581 predicted genes.[12] The authors estimated that the genome-wide sequence similarity between beluga whales and killer whales to be 97.87% 2.4 107% (mean standard deviation).

The beluga's earliest known ancestor is the prehistoric Denebola brachycephala from the late Miocene period (910 million years ago).[13][14] A single fossil from the Baja California Peninsula indicates the family once inhabited warmer waters.[15] The fossil record also indicates, in comparatively recent times, the beluga's range varied with that of the polar ice packs expanding during ice ages and contracting when the ice retreated. Counter-evidence to this theory comes from the finding in 1849 of fossilised beluga bones in Vermont in the United States, 240km (150mi) from the Atlantic Ocean. The bones were discovered during construction of the first railroad between Rutland and Burlington in Vermont, when workers unearthed the bones of a mysterious animal in Charlotte. Buried nearly 10ft (3.0m) below the surface in a thick blue clay, these bones were unlike those of any animal previously discovered in Vermont. Experts identified the bones as those of a beluga. Because Charlotte is over 150mi (240km) from the nearest ocean, early naturalists were at a loss to explain the presence of the bones of a marine mammal buried beneath the fields of rural Vermont. The remains were found to be preserved in the sediments of the Champlain Sea, an extension of the Atlantic Ocean within the continent resulting from the rise in sea level at the end of the ice ages some 12,000 years ago.[17] Today, the Charlotte whale is the official Vermont State Fossil (making Vermont the only state whose official fossil is that of a still extant animal).[18]

Its body is round, particularly when well fed, and tapers less smoothly to the head than the tail. The sudden tapering to the base of its neck gives it the appearance of shoulders, unique among cetaceans. The tailfin grows and becomes increasingly and ornately curved as the animal ages. The flippers are broad and shortmaking them almost square-shaped.

Preliminary investigations suggested a beluga's life expectancy was rarely more than 30 years.[19] The method used to calculate the age of a beluga is based on counting the layers of dentin and dental cement in a specimen's teeth, which were originally thought to be deposited once or twice a year. The layers can be readily identified as one layer consists of opaque dense material and the other is transparent and less dense. It is therefore possible to estimate the age of the individual by extrapolating the number of layers identified and the estimated frequency with which the deposits are laid down.[20] A 2006 study using radiocarbon dating of the dentine layers showed the deposit of this material occurs with a lesser frequency (once per year) than was previously thought. The study therefore estimated belugas can live for 70 or 80 years.[21]

The species presents a moderate degree of sexual dimorphism, as the males are 25% longer than the females and are sturdier.[22] Adult male belugas can range from 3.5 to 5.5m (11 to 18ft), while the females measure 3 to 4.1m (9.8 to 13.5ft).[23] Males weigh between 1,100 and 1,600kg (2,430 and 3,530lb), occasionally up to 1,900kg (4,190lb) while females weigh between 700 and 1,200kg (1,540 and 2,650lb).[24][25] They rank as mid-sized species among toothed whales.[26]

Individuals of both sexes reach their maximum size by the time they are 10 years old.[27] The beluga's body shape is stocky and fusiform (cone-shaped with the point facing backwards), and they frequently have folds of fat, particularly along the ventral surface.[28] Between 40% and 50% of their body weight is fat, which is a higher proportion than for cetaceans that do not inhabit the Arctic, where fat only represents 30% of body weight.[29][30] The fat forms a layer that covers all of the body except the head, and it can be up to 15cm (5.9in) thick. It acts as insulation in waters with temperatures between 0 and 18C, as well as being an important reserve during periods without food.[31]

The adult beluga is rarely mistaken for any other species, because it is completely white or whitish-grey in colour.[32] Calves are usually born grey,[23] and by the time they are a month old, have turned dark grey or blue grey. They then start to progressively lose their pigmentation until they attain their distinctive white colouration, at the age of seven years in females and 9 in males.[32] The white colouration of the skin is an adaptation to life in the Arctic that allows belugas to camouflage themselves in the polar ice caps as protection against their main predators, polar bears and killer whales.[33] Unlike other cetaceans, the belugas seasonally shed their skin.[34] During the winter, the epidermis thickens and the skin can become yellowish, mainly on the back and fins. When they migrate to the estuaries during the summer, they rub themselves on the gravel of the riverbeds to remove the cutaneous covering.[34]

Like most toothed whales, it has a compartment found at the centre of the forehead that contains an organ used for echolocation called a melon, which contains fatty tissue.[35] The shape of the beluga's head is unlike that of any other cetacean, as the melon is extremely bulbous, lobed, and visible as a large frontal prominence.[35] Another distinctive characteristic it possesses is the melon is malleable; its shape is changed during the emission of sounds.[5] The beluga is able to change the shape of its head by blowing air around its sinuses to focus the emitted sounds.[36][37] This organ contains fatty acids, mainly isovaleric acid (60.1%) and long-chain branched acids (16.9%), a very different composition from its body fat, and which could play a role in its echolocation system.[38]

Unlike many dolphins and whales, the seven vertebrae in the neck are not fused together, allowing the animal to turn its head laterally without needing to rotate its body.[39] This gives the head a lateral manoeuvrability that allows an improved field of view and movement and helps in catching prey and evading predators in deep water.[33] The rostrum has about eight to 10 small, blunt, and slightly curved teeth on each side of the jaw and a total of 36 to 40 teeth.[40] Belugas do not use their teeth to chew, but for catching hold of their prey; they then tear them up and swallow them nearly whole.[41] Belugas only have a single spiracle, which is located on the top of the head behind the melon, and has a muscular covering, allowing it to be completely sealed. Under normal conditions, the spiracle is closed and an animal must contract the muscular covering to open the spiracle.[42] A beluga's thyroid gland is larger than that of terrestrial mammals weighing three times more than that of a horse which helps it to maintain a greater metabolism during the summer when it lives in river estuaries.[43] It is the marine cetacean that most frequently develops hyperplastic and neoplastic lesions of the thyroid.[44]

The fins retain the bony vestiges of the beluga's mammalian ancestors, and are firmly bound together by connective tissue.[28] The fins are small in relation to the size of the body, rounded and oar-shaped, and slightly curled at the tips.[7] These versatile extremities are mainly used as a rudder to control direction, to work in synchrony with the tailfin and for agile movement in shallow waters up to 3m (9.8ft) deep.[27] The fins also contain a mechanism for regulating body temperature, as the arteries feeding the fin's muscles are surrounded by veins that dilate or contract to gain or lose heat.[28][45] The tailfin is flat with two oar-like lobes, it does not have any bones, and is made up of hard, dense, fibrous connective tissue. The tailfin has a distinctive curvature along the lower edge.[28] The longitudinal muscles of the back provide the ascending and descending movement of the tailfin, which has a similar thermoregulation mechanism to the pectoral fins.[28]

Belugas have a dorsal ridge, rather than a dorsal fin.[23] The absence of the dorsal fin is reflected in the genus name of the speciesapterus the Greek word for "wingless". The evolutionary preference for a dorsal ridge rather than a fin is believed to be an adaptation to under-ice conditions, or possibly as a way of preserving heat.[5] The crest is hard and, along with the head, can be used to open holes in ice up to 8cm (3.1in) thick.[46]

The beluga has a very specialized sense of hearing and its auditory cortex is highly developed. It can hear sounds within the range of 1.2 to 120kHz, with the greatest sensitivity between 10 and 75kHz,[47] where the average hearing range for humans is 0.02 to 20kHz.[48] The majority of sounds are most probably received by the lower jaw and transmitted towards the middle ear. In the toothed whales, the lower jawbone is broad with a cavity at its base, which projects towards the place where it joins the cranium. A fatty deposit inside this small cavity connects to the middle ear.[49] Toothed whales also possess a small external auditory hole a few centimetres behind their eyes; each hole communicates with an external auditory conduit and an eardrum. It is not known if these organs are functional or simply vestigial.[49]

Belugas are able to see within and outside of water, but their vision is relatively poor when compared to dolphins.[50] Their eyes are especially adapted to seeing under water, although when they come into contact with the air, the crystalline lens and the cornea adjust to overcome the associated myopia (the range of vision under water is short).[50] A beluga's retina has cones and rods, which also suggests they can see in low light. The presence of cone cells indicates they can see colours, although this suggestion has not been confirmed.[50] Glands located in the medial corner of their eyes secrete an oily, gelatinous substance that lubricates the eye and helps flush out foreign bodies. This substance forms a film that protects the cornea and the conjunctiva from pathogenic organisms.[50]

Studies on captive animals show they seek frequent physical contact with other belugas.[33] Areas in the mouth have been found that could act as chemoreceptors for different tastes, and they can detect the presence of blood in water, which causes them to react immediately by displaying typical alarm behaviour.[33] Like the other toothed whales, their brains lack olfactory bulbs and olfactory nerves, which suggests they do not have a sense of smell.[35]

These cetaceans are highly sociable and they regularly form small groups, or pods, that may contain between two and 25 individuals, with an average of 10 members.[51] Pods tend to be unstable, meaning individuals tend to move from pod to pod. Radio tracking has even shown belugas can start out in one pod and within a few days be hundreds of miles away from that pod.[52] These pods contain animals of both sexes,[53] and are led by a dominant male.[40] Many hundreds and even thousands of individuals can be present when the pods join together in river estuaries during the summer. This can represent a significant proportion of the total population and is when they are most vulnerable to being hunted.[54]

They are cooperative animals and frequently hunt in coordinated groups.[55] The animals in a pod are very sociable and often chase each other as if they are playing or fighting, and they often rub against each other.[56]

In captivity, they can be seen to be constantly playing, vocalizing, and swimming around each other.[57] They show a great deal of curiosity towards humans and frequently approach the windows in the tanks to observe them.[58] Belugas may also playfully spit at humans or other whales. It is not unusual for an aquarium handler to be drenched by one of his charges. Some researchers believe spitting originated with blowing sand away from crustaceans at the sea bottom.

Belugas also show a great degree of curiosity towards humans in the wild, and frequently swim alongside boats.[59] They also play with objects they find in the water; in the wild, they do this with wood, plants, dead fish, and bubbles they have created.[29] During the breeding season, adults have been observed carrying objects such as plants, nets, and even the skeleton of a dead reindeer on their heads and backs.[57] Captive females have also been observed displaying this behaviour, carrying items such as floats and buoys, after they have lost a calf; experts consider this interaction with the objects could be acting as a substitute behaviour.[60]

Belugas are slower swimmers than the other toothed whales, such as the killer whale and the common bottlenose dolphin, because they are less hydrodynamic and have limited movement of their tailfins, which produce the greatest thrust.[61] They frequently swim at between 3 and 9km/h (1.9 and 5.6mph), although they are able to maintain a speed of 22km/h for up to 15 min.[40] Unlike most cetaceans, they are capable of swimming backwards.[27][62] Belugas swim on the surface between 5% and 10% of the time, while for the rest of the time they swim at a depth sufficient to cover their bodies.[27] They do not jump out of the water like dolphins or killer whales.[7]

These animals usually only dive to depths to 20m (66ft),[63] although they are capable of diving to greater depths. Individual captive animals have been recorded at depths between 400 and 647 m below sea level,[64] while animals in the wild have been recorded as diving to a depth of more than 700 m, with the greatest recorded depth being 872 m.[65] A dive normally lasts 3 to 5 min, but can last up to 18 min.[40][65][66] In the shallower water of the estuaries, a diving session may last around two minutes; the sequence consists of five or six rapid, shallow dives followed by a deeper dive lasting up to one minute.[27] The average number of dives per day varies between 31 and 51.[65]

All cetaceans, including belugas, have physiological adaptations designed to conserve oxygen while they are under water.[67] During a dive, these animals will reduce their heart rate from 100 beats a minute to between 12 and 20.[67] Blood flow is diverted away from certain tissues and organs and towards the brain, heart and lungs, which require a constant oxygen supply.[67] The amount of oxygen dissolved in the blood is 5.5%, which is greater than that found in land-based mammals and is similar to that of Weddell seals (a diving marine mammal). One study found a female beluga had 16.5 l of oxygen dissolved in her blood.[68] Lastly, the beluga's muscles contain high levels of the protein myoglobin, which stores oxygen in muscle. Myoglobin concentrations are several times greater than for terrestrial mammals, which help prevent oxygen deficiency during dives.[69]

Beluga whales often accompany bowhead whales, for curiosity and to secure polynya feasible to breathe as bowheads are capable of breaking through ice from underwater by headbutting.[70]

Belugas play an important role in the structure and function of marine resources in the Arctic Ocean, as they are the most abundant toothed whales in the region.[71] They are opportunistic feeders; their feeding habits depend on their locations and the season.[22] For example, when they are in the Beaufort Sea, they mainly eat Arctic cod (Boreogadus saida) and the stomachs of belugas caught near Greenland were found to contain rose fish (Sebastes marinus), Greenland halibut (Reinhardtius hippoglossoides), and northern shrimp (Pandalus borealis),[72] while in Alaska their staple diet is Pacific salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch).[73] In general, the diets of these cetaceans consist mainly of fish; apart from those previously mentioned, other fish they feed on include capelin (Mallotus villosus), smelt, sole, flounder, herring, sculpin, and other types of salmon.[74] They also consume a great quantity of invertebrates, apart from shrimp, such as squid, crabs, clams, octopus, sea snails, bristle worms, and other deep-sea species.[74][75] Animals in captivity eat 2.5% to 3.0% of their body weight per day, which equates to 18.2 to 27.2kg.[76]

Foraging on the seabed typically takes place at depths between 20 and 40 m,[77] although they can dive to depths of 700 m in search of food.[65] Their flexible necks provide a wide range of movement while they are searching for food on the ocean floor. Some animals have been observed to suck up water and then forcefully expel it to uncover their prey hidden in the silt on the seabed.[55] As their teeth are neither large nor sharp, belugas must use suction to bring their prey into their mouths; it also means their prey has to be consumed whole, which in turn means it cannot be too large or the belugas run the risk of it getting stuck in their throats.[78] They also join together into coordinated groups of five or more to feed on shoals of fish by steering the fish into shallow water, where the belugas then attack them.[55] For example, in the estuary of the Amur River, where they mainly feed on salmon, groups of six or eight individuals join together to surround a shoal of fish and prevent their escape. Individuals then take turns feeding on the fish.[46]

Estimations of the age of sexual maturity for beluga whales vary considerably; the majority of authors estimate males reach sexual maturity when they are between four and seven years old, and females reach maturity when they are between four and nine years old.[79] The average age at which females first give birth is 8.5 years and fertility begins to decrease when they are 25, with no births recorded for females older than 41.[79]

Female belugas typically give birth to one calf every three years.[23] Most mating occurs usually February through May, but some mating occurs at other times of year.[5] The beluga may have delayed implantation.[5] Gestation has been estimated to last 12.0 to 14.5 months,[23] but information derived from captive females suggests a longer gestation period up to 475 days (15.8 months).[80]

Calves are born over a protracted period that varies by location. In the Canadian Arctic, calves are born between March and September, while in Hudson Bay, the peak calving period is in late June, and in Cumberland Sound, most calves are born from late July to early August.[81] Births usually take place in bays or estuaries where the water is warm with a temperature of 10 to 15C.[51] Newborns are about 1.5m (4.9ft) long, weigh about 80kg (180lb), and are grey in colour.[40] They are able to swim alongside their mothers immediately after birth.[82] The newborn calves nurse under water and initiate lactation a few hours after birth; thereafter, they feed at intervals around an hour.[55] Studies of captive females have indicated their milk composition varies between individuals and with the stage of lactation; it has an average content of 28% fat, 11% protein, 60.3% water, and less than 1% residual solids.[83] The milk contains about 92 cal per ounce.[84]

The calves remain dependent on their mothers for nursing for the first year, when their teeth appear.[51] After this, they start to supplement their diets with shrimp and small fish.[35] The majority of the calves continue nursing until they are 20 months old, although occasionally lactation can continue for more than two years,[40] and lactational anoestrus may not occur. Alloparenting (care by females different from the mother) has been observed in captive belugas, including spontaneous and long-term milk production. This suggests this behaviour, which is also seen in other mammals, may be present in belugas in the wild.[85]

Belugas use sounds and echolocation for movement, communication, to find breathing holes in the ice, and to hunt in dark or turbid waters.[36] They produce a rapid sequence of clicks that pass through the melon, which acts as an acoustic lens to focus the sounds into a beam that is projected forward through the surrounding water.[84] These sounds spread through the water at a speed of nearly 1.6km per second, some four times faster than the speed of sound in air. The sound waves reflect from objects and return as echoes that are heard and interpreted by the animal.[36] This enables them to determine the distance, speed, size, shape and the object's internal structure within the beam of sound. They use this ability when moving around thick Arctic ice sheets, to find areas of unfrozen water for breathing, or air pockets trapped under the ice.[51]

Some evidence indicates that belugas are highly sensitive to noise produced by humans. In one study, the maximum frequencies produced by an individual located in San Diego Bay, California, were between 40 and 60kHz. The same individual produced sounds with a maximum frequency of 100 to 120kHz when transferred to Kaneohe Bay in Hawaii. The difference in frequencies is thought to be a response to the difference in environmental noise in the two areas.[86]

These animals communicate using sounds of high frequency; their calls can sound like bird songs, so belugas were nicknamed "canaries of the sea".[87] Like the other toothed whales, belugas do not possess vocal cords and the sounds are probably produced by the movement of air between the nasal sacks, which are located near to the blowhole.[36]

Belugas are among the most vocal cetaceans.[88] They use their vocalisations for echolocation, during mating and for communication. They possess a large repertoire, emitting up to 11 different sounds, such as cackles, whistles, trills and squawks.[36] They make sounds by grinding their teeth or splashing, but they rarely use body language to make visual displays with their pectoral fins or tailfins, nor do they perform somersaults or jumps in the way other species do, such as dolphins.[36]

The beluga inhabits a discontinuous circumpolar distribution in Arctic and sub-Arctic waters.[89] During the summer, they can mainly be found in the deep waters ranging from 76N to 80N, particularly along the coasts of Alaska, northern Canada, western Greenland, and northern Russia.[89] The southernmost extent of their range includes isolated populations in the St. Lawrence River in the Atlantic,[90] and the Amur River delta, the Shantar Islands, and the waters surrounding Sakhalin Island in the Sea of Okhotsk.[91]

Belugas have a seasonal migratory pattern.[92] Migration patterns are passed from parents to offspring. Some travel as far as 6,000 kilometers per year.[93] When the summer sites become blocked with ice during the autumn, they move to spend the winter in the open sea alongside the pack ice or in areas covered with ice, surviving by using polynyas to surface and breathe.[94] In summer after the sheet ice has melted, they move to coastal areas with shallower water (13 m deep), although sometimes they migrate towards deeper waters (>800 m).[92] In the summer, they occupy estuaries and the waters of the continental shelf, and on occasion, they even swim up the rivers.[92] A number of incidents have been reported where groups or individuals have been found hundreds or even thousands of kilometres from the ocean.[95][96] One such example comes from 9 June 2006, when a young beluga carcass was found in the Tanana River near Fairbanks in central Alaska, nearly 1,700 kilometers (1,100mi) from the nearest ocean habitat. Belugas sometimes follow migrating fish, leading Alaska state biologist Tom Seaton to speculate it had followed migrating salmon up the river at some point in the previous autumn.[97] The rivers they most often travel up include: the Northern Dvina, the Mezen, the Pechora, the Ob and the Yenisei in Asia; the Yukon and the Kuskokwim in Alaska, and the Saint Lawrence in Canada.[89] Spending time in a river has been shown to stimulate an animal's metabolism and facilitates the seasonal renewal of the epidermal layer.[43] In addition, the rivers represent a safe haven for newborn calves where they will not be preyed upon by killer whales.[5] Calves often return to the same estuary as their mother in the summer, meeting her sometimes even after becoming fully mature.[98]

The migration season is relatively predictable, as it is basically determined by the amount of daylight and not by other variable physical or biological factors, such as the condition of the sea ice.[99] Vagrants may travel further south to areas such as Irish[100] and Scottish waters,[101] islands of Orkney[102] and Hebrides,[103] and to Japanese waters.[104] There had been several vagrant individuals [105] demonstrated seasonal residencies at Volcano Bay,[106][107][108] and a unique whale were used to return annually to areas adjacent to Shibetsu in Nemuro Strait in the 2000s.[109] On rarer occasions, individuals of vagrancy can reach the Korean Peninsula.[110] A few other individuals have been confirmed to return to the coasts of Hokkaido, and one particular individual became a resident in brackish waters of Lake Notoro since in 2014.[111][112]

Some populations are not migratory and certain resident groups will stay in well-defined areas, for example in Cook Inlet, the estuary of the Saint Lawrence River and Cumberland Sound.[113] The population in Cook Inlet stays in the waters furthest inside the inlet during the summer and until the end of autumn, then during the winter, they disperse to the deeper water in the centre of the inlet, but without completely leaving it.[114][115]

In April, the animals that spend the winter in the centre and southwest of the Bering Sea move to the north coast of Alaska and the east coast of Russia.[113] The populations living in the Ungava Bay and the eastern and western sides of Hudson Bay overwinter together beneath the sea ice in Hudson Strait. Whales in James Bay spend winter months within the basin could be a distinct group from these in Hudson Bay.[116] The populations of the White Sea, the Kara Sea and the Laptev Sea overwinter in the Barents Sea.[113] In the spring, the groups separate and migrate to their respective summer sites.[113]

Belugas exploit a varied range of habitats; they are most commonly seen in shallow waters close to the coast, but they have also been reported to live for extended periods in deeper water, where they feed and give birth to their young.[113]

In coastal areas, they can be found in coves, fjords, canals, bays, and shallow waters in the Arctic Ocean that are continuously lit by sunlight.[29] They are also often seen during the summer in river estuaries, where they feed, socialize, and give birth to young. These waters usually have a temperature between 8 and 10C.[29] The mudflats of Cook Inlet in Alaska are a popular location for these animals to spend the first few months of summer.[117] In the eastern Beaufort Sea, female belugas with their young and immature males prefer the open waters close to land; the adult males live in waters covered by ice near to the Canadian Arctic Archipelago, while the younger males and females with slightly older young can be found nearer to the ice shelf.[118] Generally, the use of different habitats in summer reflects differences in feeding habits, risk from predators, and reproductive factors for each of the subpopulations.[22]

The global beluga population is made up of a number of subpopulations. The scientific committee of the International Whaling Commission recognizes these 29 subpopulations:[2][22]

The estimate of population sizes is complicated because the boundaries for some of these groups overlap geographically or seasonally. The IUCN estimated the world beluga population in 2008 to be well in excess of 150,000.[2]

The native populations of the Canadian, Alaskan, and Russian Arctic regions hunt belugas for their meat, blubber, and skin. The cured skin is the only cetacean skin that is sufficiently thick to be used as leather.[119] Belugas were easy prey for hunters due to their predictable migration patterns and the high population density in estuaries and surrounding coastal areas during the summer.[119]

Commercial whaling by European and American whalers during the 18th and 19th centuries decreased beluga populations in the Canadian Arctic.[119] The animals were hunted for their meat and blubber, while the Europeans used the oil from the melon as a lubricant for clocks, machinery, and lighting in lighthouses.[119] Mineral oil replaced whale oil in the 1860s, but the hunting of these animals continued unabated. In 1863, the cured skin could be used to make horse harnesses, machine belts for saw mills, and shoelaces. These manufactured items ensured the hunting of belugas continued for the rest of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century.[120] Between 1868 and 1911, Scottish and American whalers killed more than 20,000 belugas in Lancaster Sound and Davis Strait.[119]

During the 1920s, fishermen in the Saint Lawrence River estuary considered belugas to be a threat to the fishing industry, as they eat large quantities of cod, salmon, tuna, and other fish caught by the local fishermen.[120] The presence of belugas in the estuary was, therefore, considered to be undesirable; in 1928, the Government of Quebec offered a reward of 15 dollars for each dead beluga.[121] The Quebec Department of Fisheries launched a study into the influence of these cetaceans on local fish populations in 1938. The unrestricted killing of belugas continued into the 1950s, when the supposed voracity of the belugas was found to be overestimated and did not adversely affect fish populations.[120] L'Isle-aux-Coudres is the setting for the classic 1963 National Film Board of Canada documentary Pour la suite du monde, which depicts a one-off resurrection of the beluga hunt.

The Arctic's native peoples still carry out subsistence hunting of belugas to obtain food and raw materials. This practice is a part of their culture, but doubts still remain whether the number of whales killed may be sustainable.[122] The number of animals killed is about 200 to 550 in Alaska and around 1,000 in Canada.[123] However, in areas such as Cook Inlet, Ungava Bay, and western Greenland, previous levels of commercial whaling have put the species in danger of extinction, and continued hunting by the native peoples may mean some populations will continue to decline.[122] The Canadian sites are the focus of discussions between the local communities and the Canadian government, with the objective of permitting sustainable hunting that does not put the species at risk of extinction.[124]

1970-99[126] 2013-15[127] 2000-2012[128]

2003-16[131]

1987-90 Cook Inlet[134] 1990-2011[135] 2012-2015 +Cook Inlet[136] [137]

During the winter, belugas commonly become trapped in the ice without being able to escape to open water, which may be several kilometres away.[138] Polar bears take particular advantage of these situations and are able to locate the belugas using their sense of smell. The bears swipe at the belugas and drag them onto the ice to eat them.[24] They are able to capture large individuals in this way; in one documented incident, a bear weighing between 150 and 180kg was able to capture an animal that weighed 935kg.[139]

Killer whales are able to capture both young and adult belugas.[24] They live in all the seas of the world and share the same habitat as belugas in the sub-Arctic region. Attacks on belugas by killer whales have been reported in the waters of Greenland, Russia, Canada, and Alaska.[140][141] A number of killings have been recorded in Cook Inlet, and experts are concerned the predation by killer whales will impede the recovery of this subpopulation, which has already been badly depleted by hunting.[140] The killer whales arrive at the beginning of August, but the belugas are occasionally able to hear their presence and evade them. The groups near to or under the sea ice have a degree of protection, as the killer whale's large dorsal fin, up to 2 m in length, impedes their movement under the ice and does not allow them to get sufficiently close to the breathing holes in the ice.[29]

The beluga is considered an excellent sentinel species (indicator of environment health and changes), because it is long-lived, at the top of the food web, bears large amounts of fat and blubber, relatively well-studied for a cetacean, and still somewhat common.

Human pollution can be a threat to belugas' health when they congregate in river estuaries. Chemical substances such as DDT and heavy metals such as lead, mercury and cadmium have been found in individuals of the Saint Lawrence River population.[142] Local beluga carcasses contain so many contaminants, they are treated as toxic waste.[143] Levels of polychlorinated biphenyls between 240 and 800 ppm have been found in belugas' brains, liver and muscles, with the highest levels found in males.[144] These levels are significantly greater than those found in Arctic populations.[145] These substances have a proven adverse effect on these cetaceans, as they cause cancers, reproductive diseases, and the deterioration of the immune system, making individuals more susceptible to pneumonias, ulcers, cysts, tumours, and bacterial infections.[145] Although the populations that inhabit the river estuaries run the greatest risk of contamination, high levels of zinc, cadmium, mercury, and selenium have also been found in the muscles, livers, and kidneys of animals that live in the open sea.[146]

From a sample of 129 beluga adults from the Saint Lawrence River examined between 1983 and 1999, a total of 27% had suffered cancer.[147] This is a higher percentage than that documented for other populations of this species and is much higher than for other cetaceans and for the majority of terrestrial mammals; in fact, the rate is only comparable to the levels found in humans and some domesticated animals.[147] For example, the rate of intestinal cancer in the sample is much higher than for humans. This condition is thought to be directly related to environmental contamination, in this case by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and coincides with the high incidence of this disease in humans residing in the area.[147] The prevalence of tumours suggests the contaminants identified in the animals that inhabit the estuary are having a direct carcinogenic effect or they are at least causing an immunological deterioration that is reducing the inhabitants' resistance to the disease.[148]

Indirect human disturbance may also be a threat. While some populations tolerate small boats, most actively try to avoid ships. Whale-watching has become a booming activity in the St. Lawrence and Churchill River areas, and acoustic contamination from this activity appears to have an effect on belugas. For example, a correlation appears to exist between the passage of belugas across the mouth of the Saguenay River, which has decreased by 60%, and the increase in the use of recreational motorboats in the area.[149] A dramatic decrease has also been recorded in the number of calls between animals (decreasing from 3.4 to 10.5 calls/min to 0 or <1) after exposure to the noise produced by ships, the effect being most persistent and pronounced with larger ships such as ferries than with smaller boats.[150] Belugas can detect the presence of large ships (for example icebreakers) up to 50km away, and they move rapidly in the opposite direction or perpendicular to the ship following the edge of the sea ice for distances of up to 80km to avoid them. The presence of shipping produces avoidance behaviour, causing deeper dives for feeding, the break-up of groups, and asynchrony in dives.[151]

As with any animal population, a number of pathogens cause death and disease in belugas, including viruses, bacteria, protozoans, and fungi, which mainly cause skin, intestinal, and respiratory infections.[152]

Papillomaviruses have been found in the stomachs of belugas in the Saint Lawrence River. Animals in this location have also been recorded as suffering infections caused by herpesviruses and in certain cases to be suffering from encephalitis caused by the protozoan Sarcocystis. Cases have been recorded of ciliate protozoa colonising the spiracle of certain individuals, but they are not thought to be pathogens or are not very harmful.[153]:26, 303, 359

The bacterium Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae, which probably comes from eating infected fish, poses a threat to belugas kept in captivity, causing anorexia and dermal plaques and lesions that can lead to septicemia.[153]:26, 303, 359 This condition can cause death if it is not diagnosed and treated in time with antibiotics such as ciprofloxacin.[154][153][153]:3167

A study of infections caused by parasitic worms in a number of individuals of both sexes found the presence of larvae from a species from the genus Contracaecum in their stomachs and intestines, Anisakis simplex in their stomachs, Pharurus pallasii in their ear canals, Hadwenius seymouri in their intestines, and Leucasiella arctica in their rectums.[155]

Belugas were among the first whale species to be kept in captivity. The first beluga was shown at Barnum's Museum in New York City in 1861.[156] For most of the 20th century, Canada was the predominant source for belugas destined for exhibition. Until the early 1960s, they were taken from the St. Lawrence River estuary (famously captured in the film documentary Pour la suite du monde) and from 1967 from the Churchill River estuary. This continued until 1992, when the practice was banned.[157] Since Canada ceased to be the supplier of these animals, Russia has become the largest provider.[157] Individuals are caught in the Amur River delta and the far eastern seas of the country, and then are either transported domestically to aquaria in Moscow, St. Petersburg, and Sochi, or exported to foreign nations, including Canada.[157]

Today, it remains one of the few whale species kept at aquaria and marine parks across North America, Europe, and Asia.[157] As of 2006, 30 belugas were in Canada and 28 in the United States, and 42 deaths in captivity had been reported up to that time.[157] A single specimen can reportedly fetch up to US$100,000 on the market. The beluga's popularity with visitors reflects its attractive colour and its range of facial expressions. The latter is possible because while most cetacean "smiles" are fixed, the extra movement afforded by the beluga's unfused cervical vertebrae allows a greater range of apparent expression.[39]

To provide some enrichment while in captivity, aquaria train belugas to perform behaviours for the public[158] and for medical exams, such as blood draws[159] and ultrasound,[160] provide toys,[158] and allow the public to play recorded or live music.[161]

Most belugas found in aquaria are caught in the wild, as captive-breeding programs have not had much success so far.[162] For example, despite best efforts, as of 2010, only two male whales had been successfully used as stud animals in the Association of Zoos and Aquariums beluga population, Nanuq at SeaWorld San Diego and Naluark at the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago, USA. Nanuq has fathered 10 calves, five of which survived birth.[163] Naluark at Shedd Aquarium has fathered four living offspring.[164] Naluark has been relocated to the Mystic Aquarium in the hope that he will breed with two of their females.[165] The first beluga calf born in captivity in Europe was born in L'Oceanogrfic marine park in Valencia, Spain, in November 2006.[166] However, the calf died 25 days later after suffering metabolic complications, infections, and not being able to feed properly.[167] A second calf was born in November, 16th 2016, and was successfully maintained by artificial feeding based on enriched milk.[168]

Between 1960 and 1992, the United States Navy carried out a program that included the study of marine mammals' abilities with echolocation, with the objective of improving the detection of underwater objects. The program started with dolphins, but a large number of belugas were also used from 1975 on.[169] The program included training these mammals to carry equipment and material to divers working under water, the location of lost objects, surveillance of ships and submarines, and underwater monitoring using cameras held in their mouths.[169] A similar program was implemented by the Russian Navy during the Cold War, in which belugas were also trained for antimining operations in Arctic waters.[142]

In 2009 during a free-diving competition in a tank of icy water in Harbin, China, a captive beluga brought a cramp-paralyzed diver from the bottom of the pool up to the surface by holding her foot in its mouth, saving the diver's life.[170][171]

Films which have publicized issues of beluga welfare include Born to Be Free,[172] Sonic Sea,[173] and Vancouver Aquarium Uncovered.[174]

Whale watching has become an important activity in the recovery of the economies of towns in Hudson Bay near to the Saint Lawrence and Churchill Rivers. The best time to see belugas is during the summer, when they meet in large numbers in the estuaries of the rivers and in their summer habitats.[175] The animals are easily seen due to their high numbers and their curiosity regarding the presence of humans.[175]

However, the boats' presence poses a threat to the animals, as it distracts them from important activities such as feeding, social interaction and reproduction. In addition, the noise produced by the motors has an adverse effect on their auditory function and reduces their ability to detect their prey, communicate, and navigate.[176] To protect these marine animals during whale-watching activities, the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has published a Guide for observing marine life. The guide recommends boats carrying the whale watchers keep their distance from the cetaceans and it expressly prohibits chasing, harassing, obstructing, touching, or feeding them.[177]

Some regular migrations do occur into Russian EEZ of Sea of Japan such as to Rudnaya Bay, where diving with wild belugas became a less-known but popular attraction.[178]

Male belugas in captivity can mimic the pattern of human speech, several octaves lower than typical whale calls. It is not the first time a beluga has been known to sound human, and they often shout like children, in the wild.[179] One captive beluga, after overhearing divers using an underwater communication system, caused one of the divers to surface by imitating their order to get out of the water. Subsequent recordings confirmed that the beluga had become skilled at imitating the patterns and frequency of human speech. After several years, this beluga ceased making these sounds.[180]

Prior to 2008, the beluga was listed as "vulnerable" by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), a higher level of concern. The IUCN cited the stability of the largest subpopulations and improved census methods that indicate a larger population than previously estimated. In 2008, the beluga was reclassified as "near threatened" by the IUCN due to uncertainty about threats to their numbers and the number of belugas over parts of its range (especially the Russian Arctic), and the expectation that if current conservation efforts cease, especially hunting management, the beluga population is likely to qualify for "threatened" status within five years.[181] In June 2017, its status was reassessed to "least concern".[2]

Subpopulations are subject to differing levels of threat and warrant individual assessment. The nonmigratory Cook Inlet subpopulation is listed as "Critically Endangered" by the IUCN as of 2006[2] and is listed as Endangered under the Endangered Species Act as of October 2008.[182][183][184] This was due to overharvesting of belugas prior to 1998. The population has failed to recover, though the reported harvest has been small. The most recently published estimate as of May 2008 was 302 (CV=0.16) in 2006.[2] In addition, the National Marine Fisheries Service indicated the 2007 aerial survey's point estimate was 375.

The US Congress passed the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 outlawing the persecution and hunting of all marine mammals within US coastal waters. The act has been amended a number of times to permit subsistence hunting by native peoples, temporary capture of restricted numbers for research, education and public display, and to decriminalise the accidental capture of individuals during fishing operations.[185] The act also states that all whales in US territorial waters are under the jurisdiction of the National Marine Fisheries Service, a division of NOAA.[185]

To prevent hunting, belugas are protected under the 1986 International Moratorium on Commercial Whaling; however, hunting of small numbers of belugas is still allowed. Since it is very difficult to know the exact population of belugas because their habitats include inland waters away from the ocean, they easily come in contact with oil and gas development centres. To prevent whales from coming in contact with industrial waste, the Alaskan and Canadian governments are relocating sites where whales and waste come in contact.

The beluga whale is listed on appendix II[186] of the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS). It is listed on Appendix II[186] as it has an unfavourable conservation status or would benefit significantly from international co-operation organised by tailored agreements. All toothed whales are protected under the CITES that was signed in 1973 to regulate the commercial exploitation of certain species.[187]

The isolated beluga population in the Saint Lawrence River has been legally protected since 1983.[188] In 1988 Canadian Department of Fisheries and Oceans and Environment Canada, a governmental agency that supervises national parks, implemented the Saint Lawrence Action Plan[189] with the aim of reducing industrial contamination by 90% by 1993; as of 1992, the emissions had been reduced by 59%.[122] The population of the St. Lawrence belugas decreased from 10,000 in 1885 to around 1,000 in the 1980 and around 900 in 2012.[190]

Pour la suite du monde, is a Canadian documentary film released in 1963 about traditional beluga hunting carried out by the inhabitants of L'Isle-aux-Coudres on the Saint Lawrence River.[191]

White Whale Records was an American record company that operated between 1965 and 1971 in Los Angeles, California, it was the record company of The Turtles. The company's logo was the silhouette of a beluga with the words "White Whale" above it.[192]

The children's singer Raffi released an album called Baby Beluga in 1980. The album starts with the sound of whales communicating, and includes songs representing the ocean and whales playing. The song "Baby Beluga" was composed after Raffi saw a recently born beluga calf in Vancouver Aquarium.[193]

Yamaha's Beluga motorcycle (Riva 80/CV80) which had an 80-cc engine was produced from 1981 until 1987 and sold throughout the world, particularly in Canada, the USA, the Netherlands, Belgium, Sweden, and Japan.[194]

The Beluga class submarine (project 1710 Mackerel) was an experimental Russian submarine whose prototype operated until 1997, with the whole project being discontinued in the mid-2000s.[195]

The fuselage design of the Airbus Beluga, one of the world's biggest cargo planes, is very similar to that of a beluga; it was originally called the Super Transporter, but the nickname Beluga became more popular and was then officially adopted.[196]

The German company SkySails GmbH & Co. KG, a subsidiary of the Beluga Shipping group based in Hamburg, tested a new propulsion system for ships that involved a large wing similar to that used in paragliding and which has demonstrated a reduction in fuel use between 10% and 35%. The programme to prove the efficiency of the system was called Project Beluga, as it involved the ship MS Beluga Skysails. The company's insignia, a beluga's tailfin, was printed on the giant wing, which had a surface area of 160m2.[197]

A 2002 episode of science fiction series Dark Angel titled "Dawg Day Afternoon" claims that beluga whales are the result of a hybridisation between a humpback whale and a dolphin.

In the Disney/Pixar film Finding Dory, (a sequel to Finding Nemo) the character Bailey is a beluga whale.[198]

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Beluga whale - Wikipedia

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Longevity - Medical Spa, Botox, OKC, Norman, Moore, South ...

Welcome to the future of Preventive Medicine

Princeton Longevity Center is a next-generation medical facility providing the most advanced, integrated and individually tailored preventive medicine programs. With focus on early disease detection and evaluating and modifying risk for future disease, Princeton Longevity Centers Preventive Medicine and Executive Health programs give you the ability to take control of your future health before the onset of symptoms or other indications of a problem.

A Princeton Longevity Center Comprehensive Preventive Exams combines the newest and most advanced technology with the most in-depth assessment available to detect potential health problems. Our preventive medicine experts will show you simple, easy adjustments you can make that wont dramatically impact your lifestyle but will give you the tools you need to maximize your future health and keep you looking and feeling years younger. Our individually tailored programs will improve your health and longevity, enabling you to make the most of your future years for you and the people who depend on you.

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When you visit Princeton Longevity Center, youll be met by a team of professionals that provides an extensive series of medical assessments, diagnostic tests and health screenings. On the same day well review all your results with you and give you as much time as you need to ask questions about them. Individualized attention from a team of Physicians, Exercise Physiologists, Registered Dietitians, Nurses and Patient Care Coordinators is a hallmark of our Preventive Medicine and Executive Health center. Patients come to Princeton Longevity Center because were not a hospital-based exam we are the specialist in prevention and early disease detection.

You will find that one day with Princeton Longevity Center will provide more insight into your health and future health than all your previous routine annual exams combined.

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Om namo rudrya vishnva mryture mithahi

Article Compiled by Sh. Ram Nath GoyalExplained by Sh. MK Gupta

Brahma,Vishnu and Rudra(Shiva) are three aspects of GOD. Brahma is the creator. Vishnu is sustainer and Rudra is destroyer.

Division of longevity:-The standard life span for this purpose is 108 years for human charts. It is divided into three parts:-1. Short life (Alp Ayu):-It is 0-36 years.2. Middle life (Madhya Ayu):-It is from 36-72 years.3. Long life (Puran Ayu) :- It is from 72 -108 years.

Movable Signs:-The presiding deity of movable signs is Brahma and energy level of these signs is maximum so these signs give LONG LIFE.

Dual Signs:- The presiding deity of dual signs is vishnu and energy level of these signs is medium so these signs gives MIDDLE LIFE.

Fix Signs:-The presiding deity of fixed signs is Shiva and is destroyer so these signs give SHORT LIFE.

There are three methods to calculate longevity given by rishi Jaimini.1.Three Pair Method.2.Eighth Lord Placement Method.3.Method of Three Lords.

Methods of Three Pairs:- This method allows us to determine the approximate range of ones longevity. In this method, we look at three pairs of planets. In each pair, we look at the two planets and see if they occupy a movable or fixed or dual sign.

FIRST PAIR IS:-

:Lagna lord and 8th lord:- If these both are in movable sign or one is in dual sign and other is in fix sign then long life is indicated.

:If lagana lord and 8th lord:- both are in dual sign or one is in movable sign and other is in fix sign, then middle life is indicated.

:If lagana lord and 8th lord:- both are in fix sign or one is in movable sign and other is in dual sign then short life is indicated.

SECOND PAIR:- Second pair is of MOON and SAT. Apply the above three principles to the signs occupied by Moon and Sat.

THIRD PAIR:- Third pair is of LAGNA and HORA LAGNA. Apply the above three principles to this pair also.

RESULT:- If all three pairs indicate identical spans, then the particular longevity is to be declared i.e.

: If all pairs indicate long life span it is up to 108 years.

: If all pairs indicate middle life span it is up to 72 rears.

: If all pairs indicate short life span it is up to 36 years.

:If two pair gives same life span and third pair gives different life span ,then result given by two pairs dominate and find the resultant longevity using following table:-

If all the three pairs gives different results:-

: Then we should give preference to third pair of LAGNA and HORA LAGNA.

:If MOON is in Lagna or 7th house, then second pair of MOON and SAT will prevail.

Calculation of 8th lord:-We can find the 8th house in the chart zodiacally, but it is found that results are more accurate if we take the 8th house from Varidha Karka chart which is given below.

Eighth house Reckoner (Vridha Karika )

Note:- From the table we find that for Aries, Libra and for Aquarius lagans, both 1st and 8th lord are same. In this case we will take the 8th from 8th. For example let us assume in an chart Lagan is Aries, then from chart we see 8th house is Scorpio, lord of Scorpio is also Mars we will take 8th lord from Scorpio ,from chart 8th lord from SC is Sagittarius ,so we will take Jupiter as 8th lord. We will see the placements of Mar and Jupiter.

Example:- Consider an chart of Taurus ascendant as given below ,Hora Lagna is in Aries, Moon is in Taurus ,Mercury is in Capricorn, Venus is in Capricorn, and Sat is in Gemini.

Pair 1:- Lagna lord Venus is in Capricorn which is a Movable Sign, from the above table 8th house is Gemini, Lord of Gemini is Mercury is in Capricorn which is another Movable sign. Both Movable sign gives Long Life.

Pair2:- Moon is in Ta a fixed sign, Saturn is in Gemini and dual sign, Fix +Dual, Moveable is out so it gives Long Life.

Pair 3:- Lagna is in Ta an fix sign, Hora Lagana is in Aries an Movable sign, Fix + Movable , Dual sign is out so it gives Middle Life.

We see two pairs indicate Long Life so long life will prevail. Third Pair is of Middle life so age comes out to be 108 yrs.

Eighth Lord Placement Method:- Determine the stronger lord between 8th house lords from 1st and 7th house. It means determine the stronger lord between the lords of 2nd house and 8th house. If this lord is placed in:-

Method Of Three Lords:- Third method is based on the placement of the lord of the of 1st house,10th house and 8th house. If three lords are well placed in quadrants etc,Long Life is indicated. If two of the three are strong, Middle Life is indicated and if only one is strong Short Life is indicated. These lords should be well placed, dusthanas are bad for these houses. Malefic association with these lords lowers the longevity. This method is very usefull from these lords we came to know how strong our body is.This method tells us how long the body can live without deterioating.If three lords are well placed body can live long without deteriorating. The peoples who have these lords well placed they live a healthy life without any major disease.

Kaksh Vridhi:- This means increase of term of longevity, Alapayu becomes Madhyayu, and Madhyayu becomes puranayu.

Conditions For Kaksh Vridhi:- There will be kaksha Vridhi when any one of the following conditions are present.

1. Occupancy of Jup in lagna or the 7th house devoid of melefic influence.

2. Occupancy of natural benefices in lagna and seventh house or in its trikona places or in 2/12

3. Natural benefics with Ak or in the 7th, 5th or 9th house or in 2/12

4. Atmakarka is exalted.

5. Jupiter is atmakarka.

6. If lagna lord is in benefic sign other than its debilitation sign or exalted or having benefic association.

Kaksha Harsha:-Kaksha harsha means particular of term of longevity is reduced to the next lower one, thus Puranayu becoming Madhyayu and Madhyayu becoming alpayu.

Conditions Of Kaksha Harsh:- There will be Kaksha Harsha when any one of the following condition is present there.

1. Association of SAT with lagna lord or hora lagna lord.

2. Occupancy of SAT in 8th house of lagana or in 8th house of Hora Lagna.

3. Association of Sat with the 8th house lord of lagna and 8th house lord of Hora Lagna.

4. Both lagna and 7th house or5/9 or 2/12 occupied by malefic.

5. Similarly Ak and 7th or 5/9or 2/12 are occupied by malefic.

6. Atmakarka is debilitated.

7.If lagna lord is in melefic sign other than its exaltation sign or having melefic association.

Rashi Vridhi:-This means increase of longevity by a Rashi i..e. by 9 yrs. If places suggested for Kaksh Vridhi are occupied by Full Moon or Venus then there will be increase of Longevity by one rashi dasa.

Rashi Harsa:- This means the decrease of longevity by one rashi dasa .Rashi harsha will occur When Sat occupies places suggested for malefic for kaksha harsha.

Jagannath Rule:-Divide the Ayur khanda in four parts of 9years each, for example if ayur khanda is of middle life i.e. from 36years to 72 years then four parts will be 36to45years, 45to54years,54to63years and 63 to 72years.

:If 8th lord ( counted zodiacally) is in 10th,11th or 12th from lagna death is predicted in first part i.e. from 36 to 45years.

: If 8th lord is in 7th or 8th or in 9th from lagna death is predicted in second part i.e. from 45 years to 54 years.

: If 8th lord is in 4th or 5th or in 6th from lagna death is predicted in third part i.e.from 54years to 63 years.

: If 8th lord is in 1st, 2nd or 3rd house from lagna death is predicted in last part i.e.from 63 years to 72years.

Yoga Vipareetam:-After having determined the primary longevity, it is necessary to check the position of the AK in the chart. If it is placed in first, third, seventh or ninth houses then yoga vipreetam will function. This cause major change in life span from Long life to Middle life, Middle life to Short life while Short life becomes Long Life. Depending upon the placement of 8th lord.

Vipreetam ayur yoga simultaneously change the longevity of the relative shown by the AK or planet joining it.For example if Short life is indicated initially and AK Sun is in the 9th house ,then native longevity will be increased and that of father will decreased and father will pass away early. In these cases both things are possible either native gives longevity to some relative or someone else gives the longevity to native. All this depends upon the position of the 8th lord. If 8th lord is in:-

:8th lord in kendr no longer gives long life, in this case it gives Middle life

: 8th lord in Panphara gives Short life.

:8th lord in Apokalimas gives Long Life.

In case of 8th lord in Apoklimas you are receiving life. This is due to ATMABALA,atma wants to stay more in body or wants to leave early.

Calculation of Exact Longevity: The planets involved in final determination of longevity are called Ayur Yogakarkas or Longevity determinates.

If the determinate is in the beginning of sign contribution will be complete and if determinate is in the end of sign, it will be nil. Thus the exact longevity should be fixed proportionately, taking average longitude of all determinates. For example:-

If Moon is at 17degree 5minutes

Sat is at 13 degree 22minutes.

Life span is middle 36 to 72years

Average longitude of determinates=17 degree 5minutes + 13 degree 22minutes/= 15 degree 13 minutes 30

From the end of sign= 30 degree -15 degree 13 minutes 30= 14 degree 46 minutes 30

Contribution by determinations= 14 degree 46 minutes 30/30 and multiply by 36 years= 17 years 8months 23 days

Total longevity= 36 years + 17years 8 months 23 days= 53 years 8months 23 days.

This method is usually applied to three pair methods.

Example:- Swami viveka nanda born on 12th Jan 1863 at 6:33 A M(LMT)

At 22n40,88e30

Lag 25 degree 29mnt, Mar 6degree19mnt Venus 7degree 7minutes

Sun 29degree 25mnt (AK) Mer 11degree 47mnt Sat 13degree50mnt

Moon 17degree29mnt Jup3degree57 mint Rahu 22degree 15mnt

Hora Lagna IS IN CAPRICORN

Determination of Longevity Compartment.

Method of pairs: Lagna lord + 8th lord=Jupiter + Moon

= Movable +dual = fix is left out=Short life

Langa +Hora lagna= Dual + Movable= Short Life

Moon + Sat = Dual +Dual =Middle life

Short life combination dominates,

However Sun AK is in ASC so Yoga Vipreetam will be applicable.

8th lord Moon is in quadrant so it will indicate Middle life so father give life to native so father passed away early. Method of pairs gives Middle life of 36to 72 years.

:Eighth Lord Placement:- 8th lord Moon is placed in 10th house.

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LONGEVITY | Astrogurukul

A new project in the field of biotechnology, telemedicine, clinical research and medical services is completing preparations for pre-ICO. Open Longevity is organizing research of anti-aging therapies in humans by providing online advisory services. Their ultimate goal is to find and introduce effective methods of radical life extension into clinical practice. Therefore, the tokens are called YEAR.

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Another part of the funds will be spent on creating an online platform. By uploading biomedical data, users will be able to monitor their health and aging status in dynamics; receive recommendations from specialists and expert system based on AI; and also become volunteers in trials.

The service will be accessible to everyone. But payment with YEAR tokens is promised to be more favorable than paying with fiat currencies due to 50% discount. This, among other points mentioned in projects WP, has to maintain a constant token flow within the system and ensure the stability of its exchange rate.

The first three days of pre-ICO is going to be in the format of Private Placement. The registration has started already, but the date of preICO launch itself will be announced in advance in projects channels in Telegram.

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Open Longevity Project: a Scientific Approach to Conquer Aging - Blockchain News

A healthy diet with lots of seasonal fruit and vegetables and no processed food, often vigorous daily exercise, a clean natural environment and a different outlook on life, where one is happy with little these are among the reasons often cited for the longevity of the inhabitants of the island of Icaria, who are among the longest-living people in the world.

Whats striking is that the same demographics and environmental characteristics existed on Icaria 400 years ago. Then, an archbishop described it as a small island that was the poorest but happiest in all the Aegean where you would often meet people whod made it to 100 years of age.

His name was Iosif Georgirinis, the archbishop of Samos, who described life on Nikaria (Icaria), as well as Samos, Patmos and Mount Athos, in a book he published in London in 1678. In it, he said of Nikaria, The air and the land are so healthy that they make its residents live a very long time. Its common come across centenarians. This is quite shocking when one considers their hardworking life. When it comes to the islands diet, the archbishop wrote, Before meal time, it is impossible to find bread anywhere on the island. Just before its time to eat, they use the necessary amount of wheat, grind it with the hand wheel, bake the dough on a slab of stone, and, when its ready, the head of the family shares out equal parts of this bread among the members of his family.

If there is a guest, they are offered a share, which is taken out of the family members, and they drink a third of the wine. Their diet is poor but their bodies are sturdy and hardy, and they generally live a long time. He also said, They live as if they wont live to see another day, thankful they managed to cope with the basic needs of the day.

Three-and-a-half centuries later, Icarians are still outliving their counterparts elsewhere around the world. According to the latest statistics, just 0.1 percent of Europeans live beyond the age of 90. On Icaria, however, that figure shoots up to more than 1 percent.

According to cardiology professor Christodoulos Stefanidis, the longevity of Icarians inspired a study that has so far yielded tremendous information on the island lifestyle and specific environmental factors. Dr Stefanidis notes, The Mediterranean diet, rich in fiber, vegetables, fruits and fish, the preference for Greek coffee, moderate consumption of wine, daily exercise, lower stress, less frequent cases of depression, companionship and social activity are a few of the behaviors common to young and elderly residents which, combined with the geophysical characteristics of the area, contribute to longevity.

The most significant finding on the island of longevity is that everything we observed in the IKARIA study was also observed 400 years ago, says cardiologist Panagiota Pietri, who is the director of the hypertension unit at the Athens Medical Center.

The writings of Iosif Georgirinis on this subject were recently published in the scientific journal Nature in an article titled Environment: An Old Clue to the Secret of Longevity. New findings on the longevity of Icaria residents will be unveiled at an international conference titled Longevity: A Realistic Goal, which will take place at the Athens Hilton on September 8 and 9.

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Traveling archbishop picked up on Icarians' longevity 400 years ago - Kathimerini

A tweet answered the biggest question in the AFC North in fewer than 100 characters, no less.

"Informed the team I am looking forward to my 14th season," Ben Roethlisberger told the Twitterverse in April. "Steeler Nation will get my absolute best."

With that, the division's pecking order was established. It's the Steelers and everyone else in a division that slumped significantly last season and is counting on its unmatched run of quarterback continuity to get it back among the NFL's best.

No other division has been as proficient in sending teams to the playoffs lately 18 in the past nine seasons. It's had multiple playoff teams in seven of the past nine seasons.

A big part of that starts with the most important position, and the AFC North excels and finding and keeping the good ones well, with one exception, of course.

Roethlisberger has nine playoff appearances, six division titles and two Super Bowl rings in his 13 seasons. Joe Flacco entering his 10th season helped Baltimore win playoff games in each of his first five seasons and added a Super Bowl MVP season. Andy Dalton got the Bengals into the playoffs in five of his six seasons, although they have yet to win one in the postseason.

And then there's Cleveland, where each new season brings a new quarterback and another lesson in why it's so important to have a proven quarterback. Rookie DeShone Kizer becomes QB No. 27 since they returned as an expansion team in 1999.

Some things to watch in the AFC North this season:

BEN'S POSSE: The Steelers went 13-6 and won their second division title in three years, losing to New England in the AFC title game with a depleted offense. It's well-stock ed this time around, with receiver Martavis Bryant returning from a 13-month drug suspension.

The only question was running back Le'Veon Bell, who balked at signing his franchise tender but reassured that he planned to rejoin the team as soon as the preseason games ended.

The defensive secondary has some soft spots that Tom Brady exposed in the AFC title game, but the defense overall is good enough to win another division title and challenge the Patriots for AFC supremacy if Roethlisberger can stay healthy.

OUCHY RAVENS: No team in the division has been affected by injuries more than the Ravens, who are at it again. Flacco didn't play in the preseason because of a bad back the opener in Cincinnati will mark his debut. A knee injury ended his 2015 season prematurely and led to a 5-11 finish. Flacco was back last season, but the Ravens struggled to an 8-8 finish, missing the playoffs for the third time in four years.

The Ravens spent the offseason upgrading the defense, but the offense is the main concern heading into the season. The offensive line is in flux because of injuries, along with the tight end position. And Flacco's back is the wild card in all of it.

"We've been missing guys pretty much all the way through," coach John Harbaugh said.

LEWIS FINISHES IT OUT: Coach Marvin Lewis enters his 15th season there's that AFC North continuity again even though he's 0-7 in the playoffs, an NFL record for futility. He failed to get a contract extension after the Bengals finished 6-9-1, leaving him on the final year of his deal. Whether he returns for 2018 depends upon how things turn out, and that likely will come down to two areas.

The offense is intact after missing A.J. Green, Tyler Eifert and Giovani Bernard for roughly half the season. But the offensive line is inexperienced and lacks depth, and younger players are moving into bigger roles on a defense that will miss suspended cornerback Adam "Pacman" Jones for one game and linebacker Vontaze Burfict for five. Lewis' fate depends upon how it all holds together.

"It probably adds a little bit of pressure and becomes a talking point," owner Mike Brown said.

NEXT UP IN CLEVELAND: Young Kizer, it's your turn. And good luck with it. The Browns won only one time during Hue Jackson's first season as head coach, repeatedly letting games slip away. They're setting themselves up for another challenging season by going with the rookie, who got the job after completing just 6 of 18 passes for 93 yards with an interception in the third preseason game. Brock Osweiler and Cody Kessler are there if he needs to be bailed out.

Kizer is the fifth quarterback to start the season opener in the past five years. The Browns are 20-60 over that span.

"I need to go out there and work hard every day to stop that tradition here," Kizer said.

PREDICTED ORDER OF FINISH: Steelers, Bengals, Ravens, Browns.

Read more from the original source:
AFC North revolves largely around QB longevity - MyAJC.com - MyAJC

Lola Adelaida during her daughter Marina Zrokas wedding in 1994. CONTRIBUTED

CHICAGO What can you say about a lola who dies at the age of 102? A lot. A lot of good memories, and how to live long like she did.

Filipino American resident Adelaida Battad Avila reached the century mark in December of 2014. She passed away in Chicago last February 27 and was interred in the Philippines.

She taught elementary school as a single young woman in her hometown of Santo Domingo, Ilocos Sur. After getting married, her husband Arturo Avila asked her to focus instead on raising their children and taking care of the household.

She was in her early thirties during the Japanese occupation of the Philippines and World War II.

As a mother to her firstborn baby, Napoleon, she was accidentally separated from her husband when a Japanese soldier apprehended her and her baby.

She pleaded to the Japanese soldier to let her and her baby go. The soldier eventually gestured with his hand for them to go, according to her daughter, Elizabeth Elayda.

The baby would have been thrown up in the air and be caught by a Japanese soldiers bayonet.

She raised seven children in Ilocos Sur. She was a grandmother to 14 and great-grandmother to 15.

Yet, Adelaida managed to take care of herself well. It was always her habit to take an afternoon nap and she kept this up until she was under the care of a 24-hour daily caregiver, Elizabeth said.

Gardening

She also tended to her gardens outside the house.

Years later, Elizabeth, who was already in the US, petitioned her mother to come and join her, which only took a few months to get approved. Adelaida arrived in June of 1980 at age 67. Subsequently, Adelaida petitioned for her husband, Arturo.

Her grandchild, David Avila, 38, remembers his grandmother.

I know she was always proud of all her grandchildren. I always felt that she put education as a top priority, and speaking for myself I never wanted to disappoint her.

She always sent me a letter (most times with cash) during my birthday, David added.

There was a dish that I always fond of that my grandmother made whenever I was hungry or wanted a quick snack. She would take leftover rice, put in a couple scoops of the Nestle Quik powder, and add water and mix it all up. I could never duplicate the way she made it taste.

Adelaida Battad Avila, circa 1920s or 30s. CONTRIBUTED

Adelaidas husband predeceased her in 1989 at the age of 75.

Further aging

Several factors may have contributed to her longevity.

According to the website The Centenarian UK, a physical commonality of centenarians is not showing any signs of cognitive difficulties or dementia before the age of 92.

Adelaida was able to add two-digit numbers and could still spell words with 100 percent accuracy at age 100, but that ability declined as she advanced in age, according to Elizabeth.

At age 100, she developed early stages of dementia. Adelaida had also developed high blood pressure and atrial fibrillation (irregular heartbeat).

Being in America also helped in prolonging her good quality of life from the special services she got from the statehospitalization, therapy and homemaker services, and support from her children and their spouses, Elizabeth explained.

Although she had much care, and practical nurses around the clock, she declined a recommended pacemaker placement and kypoplasty surgeries, which probably would have prolonged her life further, Elizabeth said.

She added that her mother was only hospitalized once while being in the US since 1987.

Commonality

Another physical commonality centenarians share according to The Centenarian UK is having a lean body. Adelaida kept a consistent diet.

She ate oatmeal for breakfast every day. She liked to eat spinach and broccoli and avoided fatty foods, which helped her keep a slim figure, according to Elizabeth.A third physical commonality the website mentions is having at least one other long-lived close relative in their family histories.

Among eight siblings, Adelaida was one of four who reached the age of 80, along with her father Severino B. Battad, who passed away at the age of 80 in 1970.

So, I hope you took notethat is if you want to reach the century mark. Just like Lola Adelaida.

Subscribe to INQUIRER PLUS to get access to The Philippine Daily Inquirer & other 70+ titles, share up to 5 gadgets, listen to the news, download as early as 4am & share articles on social media. Call 896 6000.

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How Adelaida Battad Avila, who died at 102 in Chicago, achieved longevity - Inquirer.net

A tweet answered the biggest question in the AFC North in fewer than 100 characters, no less.

"Informed the team I am looking forward to my 14th season," Ben Roethlisberger told the Twitterverse in April. "Steeler Nation will get my absolute best."

With that, the division's pecking order was established. It's the Steelers and everyone else in a division that slumped significantly last season and is counting on its unmatched run of quarterback continuity to get it back among the NFL's best.

No other division has been as proficient in sending teams to the playoffs lately 18 in the past nine seasons. It's had multiple playoff teams in seven of the past nine seasons.

A big part of that starts with the most important position, and the AFC North excels and finding and keeping the good ones well, with one exception, of course.

Roethlisberger has nine playoff appearances, six division titles and two Super Bowl rings in his 13 seasons. Joe Flacco entering his 10th season helped Baltimore win playoff games in each of his first five seasons and added a Super Bowl MVP season. Andy Dalton got the Bengals into the playoffs in five of his six seasons, although they have yet to win one in the postseason.

And then there's Cleveland, where each new season brings a new quarterback and another lesson in why it's so important to have a proven quarterback. Rookie DeShone Kizer becomes QB No. 27 since they returned as an expansion team in 1999.

Some things to watch in the AFC North this season:

BEN'S POSSE: The Steelers went 13-6 and won their second division title in three years, losing to New England in the AFC title game with a depleted offense . It's well-stock ed this time around, with receiver Martavis Bryant returning from a 13-month drug suspension.

The only question was running back Le'Veon Bell, who balked at signing his franchise tender but reassured that he planned to rejoin the team as soon as the preseason games ended.

The defensive secondary has some soft spots that Tom Brady exposed in the AFC title game, but the defense overall is good enough to win another division title and challenge the Patriots for AFC supremacy if Roethlisberger can stay healthy.

OUCHY RAVENS: No team in the division has been affected by injuries more than the Ravens, who are at it again. Flacco didn't play in the preseason because of a bad back the opener in Cincinnati will mark his debut. A knee injury ended his 2015 season prematurely and led to a 5-11 finish. Flacco was back last season, but the Ravens struggled to an 8-8 finish, missing the playoffs for the third time in four years.

The Ravens spent the offseason upgrading the defense, but the offense is the main concern heading into the season. The offensive line is in flux because of injuries, along with the tight end position. And Flacco's back is the wild card in all of it.

"We've been missing guys pretty much all the way through," coach John Harbaugh said.

LEWIS FINISHES IT OUT: Coach Marvin Lewis enters his 15th season there's that AFC North continuity again even though he's 0-7 in the playoffs, an NFL record for futility. He failed to get a contract extension after the Bengals finished 6-9-1, leaving him on the final year of his deal. Whether he returns for 2018 depends upon how things turn out, and that likely will come down to two areas.

The offense is intact after missing A.J. Green, Tyler Eifert and Giovani Bernard for roughly half the season. But the offensive line is inexperienced and lacks depth, and younger players are moving into bigger roles on a defense that will miss suspended cornerback Adam "Pacman" Jones for one game and linebacker Vontaze Burfict for five . Lewis' fate depends upon how it all holds together.

"It probably adds a little bit of pressure and becomes a talking point," owner Mike Brown said.

NEXT UP IN CLEVELAND: Young Kizer, it's your turn. And good luck with it. The Browns won only one time during Hue Jackson's first season as head coach, repeatedly letting games slip away. They're setting themselves up for another challenging season by going with the rookie, who got the job after completing just 6 of 18 passes for 93 yards with an interception in the third preseason game. Brock Osweiler and Cody Kessler are there if he needs to be bailed out.

Kizer is the fifth quarterback to start the season opener in the past five years. The Browns are 20-60 over that span.

"I need to go out there and work hard every day to stop that tradition here," Kizer said.

PREDICTED ORDER OF FINISH: Steelers, Bengals, Ravens, Browns.

For more NFL coverage: http://www.pro32.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP

Excerpt from:
NFL 2017: AFC North revolves largely around QB longevity - ABC News

After 21 seasons, all with the Winnipeg Jets/Arizona Coyotes franchise, Shane Doan announced his retirement from the NHL on Wednesday. Although his biography doesn't include many individual or team awards, he will be remembered for his consistency and longevity, and for what that meant to hockey in Arizona.

Doan's peak never reached great heights, but he sustained a top-line level of performance that made him one of the most valuable players to his team for a prolonged period.

Throughout his NHL career, Doan was deployed as a classic power forward. He was used primarily in the offensive zone and on the power play, and tasked with hitting and scoring. He was 18th in the League with 1,856 hits since the 2005-06 season, when hits were first recorded, and ranked seventh among active NHL players with 402 goals at the time of his retirement, 11th with 570 assists, and 10th with 972 points. He scored 313 points on the power play, which ranked 13th.

There are two key factors when breaking down a player's career performance: how well he played at his peak and how long he could perform at or near that level. Doan's career was relatively unspectacular by the former criterion but exceptional from the latter.

[RELATED: Doan offers 'thank you' to fans | Doan's most memorable moments]

Doan reached his peak at the unusually late age of 31, with 78 points (28 goals, 50 assists) in 80 games in 2007-08, and had 73 points (31 goals, 42 assists) in 82 games the following season. That makes him one of 14 players to have at least 70 points twice in his 30s without doing so previously.

How great was his peak? A player's peak is measured using three seasons, to avoid temporary fluctuations caused by hot streaks that can occur during a few seasons. From 2006-09, Doan had 206 points (86 goals, 140 assists) in 235 games, which ranked 28th in the NHL.

Advancing beyond goals and assists, there are catch-all statistics that attempt to measure a player's contributions in a single number. The most popular one for which data is available for all of Doan's NHL career is Tom Awad's Goals Versus Threshold (GVT), which estimates how many goals a player scored and/or prevented, relative to the best available replacement in the NHL (or elsewhere).

From that perspective, Doan's peak performance improved the Coyotes by 37.6 goals during that three-year peak, which would place him just outside the top 50 players in the NHL. However, there is plenty of subjective evidence that confirms that Doan was among the top 30 forwards in the League at his peak. He was selected to represent Canada at the 2006 Torino Olympics, and he finished sixth in voting for the NHL All-Star Game in 2007-08 and 2008-09.

Video: Top Moment #6: Doan's 400th Goal & 1,500th Game

Regardless of how high he ranked at his best, Doan's career isn't remarkable for the height of its peak but for how long it was sustained and how much that meant to a franchise that was otherwise devoid of top talent.

Starting with his promotion to a top-six forward in 1999-2000, Doan finished among the top three on the Coyotes in scoring for 13 consecutive seasons. Since 1999-2000, Doan scored at least 20 goals in a season 13 times, tied with Patrick Marleau for third behind Jarome Iginla and Marian Hossa, who each has done so 15 times in that span.

Doan led the Coyotes in scoring seven consecutive seasons from 2003-11. During this time, he scored 455 points (181 goals, 274 assists) in 550 games, which was 291 more points than defenseman Ed Jovanovski, who was second on the Coyotes with 164 points (47 goals, 117 assists) in 332 games.

That was the largest gap between first and second place in the NHL, ahead of Iginla, then of the Calgary Flames (288 points), and Alex Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals (260 points). Although Doan's scoring peak may not have reached the same heights as Iginla's, his longevity certainly has, and his value to the Coyotes was just as significant.

As one of the most versatile power forwards in the League, not all of Doan's contributions can be measured in terms of goals and assists. In addition to hitting, scoring, and playing with the man-advantage, Doan could be trusted in all three zones and against various levels of opponents, could take a regular shift killing penalties, was 12 for 40 in the shootout, and had positive shot-based metrics relative to his team each of the past eight seasons that the information has been available.

Doan also played a key leadership role as captain of the Coyotes from 2003-17. Even in his final season, Doan proved his value by helping to develop rookie forwards Brendan Perlini and Christian Dvorak on an effective third line.

Some players establish their place in hockey history with scoring records and trophies. Others, like Doan, have earned their place among the game's greats by having a consistently significant impact to his team in the long term.

Visit link:
Consistency, longevity highlight Doan's NHL career - NHL.com

Adults who drank four cups of coffee a day had a 64% lower risk of dying during a new 10-year Spanish study, compared to those who rarely or never drank the beverage. The link between coffee and reduced mortality risk was strongest for people over 45, the authors say, suggesting that the drinks protective elements are even more important in older age.

The new research, presented Sunday at the European Society of Cardiology Congress in Barcelona, has not yet been published in a peer-reviewed medical journal. Previous studies have suggested that coffee consumption reduces the risk of early death from all causes, but this provided some additional insights into how coffee might affect people of different ages.

For the study, researchers analyzed health data and food-frequency questionnaires from nearly 20,000 Spanish university graduates who were involved in a long-term research project and followed for an average of 10 years.

Those who drank the most coffee (four or more cups a day) were 64% less likely to die during the study than those who drank the least (seldom or never) coffee. Overall, every two cups of coffee people consumed per day was associated with a 22% lower risk of death over 10 years.

That association remained even when the researchers controlled for factors including gender, smoking status, and whether the coffee drinkers added sugar to their coffee.

When the researchers looked at different age groups, they also found that the benefits were largely confined to older participants: For adults who were at least 45 when the study began, every two cups of coffee per day was associated with a 30% lower risk of dying over the next 10 years. In those younger than 45, there was no significant effect in either lowering or increasing mortality.

The study could not prove a cause-and-effect relationship between coffee consumption and mortality rates. Lead author Dr. Adela Navarro, a cardiologist at Hospital de Navarra in Pamplona, Spain, says the results do, however, suggest that coffee may have a stronger protective effect among older adults. Drinking four cups of coffee a day can be part of a healthy diet in healthy people, she says. That endorsement echoes a similar conclusion published in Food and Chemical Toxicology earlier this year, which found that up to 400 milligrams of caffeine a day (about four 8-ounce cups of coffee) is safe for most people.

Two studies published in the Annals of Internal Medicine in July also found that regular coffee consumption was associated with a reduced risk of deathone in a U.S. population that included African-American, Japanese-Americans, Latino, and white participants, and one in a European population spanning 10 countries.

What components in coffee could be contributing to longevity in older people? Besides caffeine, coffee contains several bioactive compounds with potential beneficial properties, Navarro said Sunday during her presentationincluding compounds that are known to fight inflammation, a common contributor to age-related health problems. And because of coffees popularity around the world, she added, even a small health effect could have important public health consequences.

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Coffee's Health Perks May Be Strongest for People Over 45 - TIME

Not eating, deliberately, has been a way to make a political statement for centuries. And for even longer, its been a normal part of some religious practice. But far more recent uses of fasting are for weight loss and other health benefits -- scientifically proven benefits like lowered cholesterol and reducing systemic inflammation.

Dr. Valter Longo joins us on Take Care this week to discuss the benefits, challenges and problems associated with fasting. Longo is a professor of gerontology and biological science at the University of Southern California Leonard Davis School of Gerontology. Hes also director of the USC Longevity Institute.

There are three major fasting practices, according to Longo.

Short term effects of fasting

When you begin to fast, your body makes a metabolic switch.

There is no more sugar basically coming into the body, Longo says. "There are no more proteins coming in, so the body switches from a mode in which carbohydrates are the main source of fuel to fats. So the body starts breaking down the fats.

Autophagy can also occur, where cells start to destroy themselves, only to replace them later.

Theres also breaking down of entire cells, so killing of entire cells, and then eventually the regeneration of the cells that have been killed during fasting when we return to the normal food, Longo says.

Long term effects of fasting

Longo says the idea of fasting should be respected, because it has large consequences. He says that within just five days of fasting the brain switches from using just sugar to make fuel to using both sugar and ketone bodies at a 50:50 ratio.

Just like you dont take drugs because they worked for someone else, you shouldnt try fasting without the guidance of a medical practitioner, Longo says. Water only fasting, for example, should only be attempted at a clinic with nurses and doctors on staff.

Longo does cite fasting-mimicking diets as a safe way to achieve positive, long-term effects (diets that mimic fasting usually allow you to eat between 100 and 750 calories per fasting day). These effects include:

What you can do

Keeping in mind compliance, I would say there are three major things that can be done, Longo says.

He says for those who have problems with weight, the first two options are best. Time restrictive eating is a good option for many people, allowing them to eat for a certain period of time, say 12 hours and then restricting eating for the following 12 hours.

Most people can do it. Most people around the world who get to 100 years of age -- that was normal [for] them, Longo says.

Another option is to just cut back on the number of meals you eat per day, he says.

You can go from lets say three, four, five, six meals a day, reduce it to two major meals per day and one snack, Longo says If you look around the world, its very common for people to have two meals a day.

A periodic fasting mimicking diet also can reap most of the benefits associated with the practice. A normal, healthy person, who exercises regularly can eat a restricted calorie diet of 750 to 1,100 calories a day for five days in a row, according to Long0, and can do this once or twice a year.

The rest is here:
Why fasting can help, or hurt, your chances of longevity and weight loss - WRVO Public Media

Written by Ishi Khosla | Published:August 19, 2017 2:23 am Scientific studies and research have shown that besides genetic factors, longevity is strongly linked to food and exercise habits.

Immortality is impossible but living a long life isnt. Some cultures like the Vilcabambans of the Ecuadorian Andes, the Hunza of Pakistan and the centenarians of the Okinawa island in Japan are known for their long lives and may help scientists dealing with life expectancy.

Okinawa, for instance, is home to the worlds healthiest elderly with the longest recorded life expectancies. Scientific studies and research have shown that besides genetic factors, longevity is strongly linked to food and exercise habits.

Low-calorie healthy diets and high physical activity in these extraordinarily healthy societies are the secrets for their extended lifespans with virtually no reported incidence of diseases like high blood pressure, heart disease, cancer, diabetes and other degenerative diseases such as rheumatism, osteoporosis, Alzheimers and vision problems.

So what are the dietary secrets to longevity? Eating less has been found to be critical and seems to be the centrepiece of longevity. In animal experiments, researchers have demonstrated that calorie restriction has now been clearly proven to be effective and up to 30 per cent calorie restriction leads to extended years in a manner believed to be similar to genetic modification. Additionally, high intake of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, soy, fish and eating less fat along with healthy lifestyle seems to explain protection from diseases and increased lifespan.

A study reported that healthy older Okinawans eat an average of seven servings of vegetables, seven servings of whole grains, two servings of soy products; fish twice or thrice a week and very little sugar and added fats. Their diets include little meat and no margarines, hydrogenated fats or trans fat.

Although the impact of good nutrition on health and disease begins very early in life, its never too late to make changes. According to researchers, at age 65 men and women in high- income countries still have a life expectancy of a further 15 and 19 years respectively. The older one becomes, the longer one is likely to live, and thus, by the time men and women reach age 75, life expectancy is still 9 and 11 years, respectively. This dispels the common assumption that changes in lifestyle to improve health are no longer worthwhile in old age. In fact, the prevalence of heart disease, diabetes, hypertension, obesity and arthritis is highest in the older population. Studies demonstrate that it is still worthwhile for older people to make lifestyle changes like diet modification, weight reduction, sodium restriction, saturated fat restriction smoking cessation and that these changes make life in later years healthier, more active and less dependent.

Clearly, living long is not a coincidence. It is a result of many factors and when it comes to health and longevity, the sum of the dietary components is greater than its individual elements. The important thing to be remembered is that these scientifically proven secrets of the worlds healthiest and long-lived people are simple to say the least. Adopting them with common sense can certainly extend your later years with vibrancy and vitality.

Super-centenarian diet

* Eat less and eat well- low calories and nutrient dense foods.

*Choose a diet particularly rich in phyto-chemicals (antioxidants), vitamin B6, B12, folic acid, zinc, calcium, iron, chromium, vitamin D & E and omega-3 fats.

* Eat good carbohydrates, good fat, high-quality proteins and fibre.

* Include plenty of whole grains, fruits and vegetables into your dietary plans.

*Include protein-rich foods such as fish, soy, legumes peas and beans, seeds, nuts, fermented milk products, buttermilk & fermented foods.

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Diet diary: From Andes to Japanese islands, lessons in longevity - The Indian Express

The purpose and engagement of a job you love can keep you healthy and connected.

Published: September, 2017

Image: monkeybusinessimages/Thinkstock

While many women dream of kicking back and relaxing into retirement, there's increasing evidence that in some cases, it's better for your brain and your health to keep your nose to the grindstone a little longer.

"The research to date is mixed, but it tends toward the positive that is, for many people, there are health benefits to working longer," says Dr. Nicole Maestas, associate professor of health care policy at Harvard Medical School.

The right job, she says, can keep you connected socially; it can help you stay physically active; and it can give you a purpose, a challenge, or a creative outlet. These factors have all been shown to contribute to health over the long term.

One 2016 study in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health suggests that retiring early may actually increase your risk of dying early. Findings showed that healthy people who postposed retirement and chose to retire a year later than those in a comparison group had an 11% lower risk of dying from any cause during the study period (1992 to 2010). Retirees with health problems also lived longer when they postponed retirement. Another study, by the French government's health research agency, linked a later retirement to a reduced risk of Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia.

Working longer may also help you retire more comfortably when you do decide it's time. Women who stay on the job longer can earn back income lost during breaks they took earlier in their careers. In one recent study, Dr. Maestas found that women gain more financial return than men do from continuing to work through their 50s and 60s. "And it has the added benefit of boosting their Social Security benefits," she says.

However, it's important to note that while the research may be leaning in favor of working longer for better health, not all studies show benefits or even a connection. In a study in the Journal of Health Economics, Australian researchers concluded that it's actually your overall health not your retirement agethat affects longevity.

The variation in findings may reflect two challenges inherent in this area of study. First, it's difficult for researchers to determine which came first, health problems or retirement. "While work may affect your health, at the same time your health affects your ability to work," says Dr. Maestas. A second challenge is that existing research has studied the effects of retirement on different groups of people. Some may benefit from retiring sooner, others from working longer. "Researchers haven't figured out yet who gets the benefits and who doesn't," says Maestas.

These mixed findings make sense when you think about how the job you do and the environment you work in can influence your health. While a positive work environment may improve your health, the opposite may be true for women who work in hostile environments that cause them physical or psychological stress, involve physical risks, or are monotonous and uninspiring, says Dr. Maestas. "So, if there is one message to women, it is to continue to work if you experience the work environment in a positive way; otherwise, you might consider transitioning to a new positionperhaps even within the same company," she says.

The good news is that today women have more flexibility than ever when mulling whether to retire or stay at work a few years longer. "One helpful trend in this regard is that 'retirement' is no longer an all-or-nothing decision like it used to be," says Dr. Maestas. In some cases, women reshape their jobs rather than leave them altogether. "Many people reduce hours, change jobs, downshift to less demanding positions, or change occupations. Some people take short breaks to reboot skills or take a trip," says Dr. Maestas. "Some people will later upshift for a period of time if a great opportunity comes along. They may even start a business."

Ultimately, for most women, the decision about when to retire will depend on a variety of considerations, from family needs to health and future plans. "But it is worth placing more weight on the long view working longer can enhance financial security and, under some circumstances and for some people, may even boost your health," says Dr. Maestas. "In my opinion, women should try to maintain engagement in the workforce for as long as possible."

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Putting off retirement may benefit your brain, health, and longevity - Harvard Health

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Featuring Mary Beth Franklin from InvestmentNews

Your clients are living longer and spending more time in retirement than ever before especially female clients, who often outlive their spouses or partners.

This live, interactive webcast will arm you with strategies and data for understanding your female clients' life expectancies as well as their retirement and financial scenarios. Research from Great-West Financial in collaboration with the Stanford Center on Longevity focused on how you can incorporate longevity planning into your practice will also be presented.

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Featuring Mary Beth Franklin from InvestmentNews

Your clients are living longer and spending more time in retirement than ever before especially female clients, who often outlive their spouses or partners.

This live, interactive webcast will arm you with strategies and data for understanding your female clients' life expectancies as well as their retirement and financial scenarios. Research from Great-West Financial in collaboration with the Stanford Center on Longevity focused on how you can incorporate longevity planning into your practice will also be presented.

Attendees may submit questions before and during the live event. This free and invaluable resource will help you, your current clients and prospects.

Sponsored by:

Continuing Education Credits: For all webcasts approved for CE credit by the CFP Board, credit will be reported one week after the live event. For on-demand viewers, CE credit will be reported 30 days after the live event. After 30 days, webcasts are available until December 31 in the calendar year for on-demand viewing and are not eligible for CE credit.

For all webcasts approved by IMCA for CIMA/CIMC/CPWA CE credits, email info_cecredits@investmentnews.com for the IMCA program ID to self-report for CE credit. Program IDs will be provided up to 30 days after the live event. After 30 days, webcasts are available until December 31 in the calendar year for on-demand viewing and are not eligible for CE credit.

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Longevity Lifestyle Preparation: What advisors need to know to prepare female clients for living well to and through ... - InvestmentNews

As with any popular multiplayer game, the community of Friday the 13th: The Game is a passionate one, and passionate communities are quick to express that passion, be it laudatory, constructive or even outright negative. Just a few weeks ago, when fans figured out that IllFonic, one of the game's two development teams, was also working on another game, they were quick to doom and gloom how they had abandoned Friday the 13th.

Of course, this wasn't the case, and IllFonic released a strongly worded statement to that effect, but anyone who still wasn't convinced should be more than satisfied by yesterday's series of announcements regarding Friday the 13th, including a clothing pack, a new full-size map, new counselors and new playable Jasons. But, for the first time since release, Friday the 13th: The Game has revealed a strategy for longevity that is about more than just the frills (even though the frills in this case are particularly easy on the eyes).

Yes, many people will be more than satisfied with the announcement of the Spring Break 1984 clothing pack, which features in its header image the counselor Tiffany in an unbelievably skimpy bikini. When I first saw this image, I assumed it was a fan-made joke, and then I assumed that bikini's in the 1980s couldn't have possibly looked like that. Of course, I was wrong on both assumptions. But as eye-popping as these new counselor outfits may be, we've gotten new outfits before in Friday the 13th: The Game. As an apology for launch issues, they released a Retro Jason Skin, and a new clothing pack with two new outfits for each counselor.

That said, this particular counselor skin is certainly capturing the cheesier tropes of the 80s horror movie, with the scantily clad counselors being killed by Jason Voorhees. But again, these are just frills, and they won't sustain a game by themselves. But this upcoming update, for several reasons is much different than Content Update 1. Beyond just visuals, the upcoming changes will actually enhance how we play and enjoy Friday the 13th: The Game.

You have to mention the new counselors, which, if handled correctly, should each bring a new playstyle to the table, offering new strategies to which players will have to adjust. Likewise, the new playable Jason should feel like he brings his own strengths and weaknesses to the table. Meanwhile, all of these strategies can play out on the upcoming new full map. But, more than anything else, you have to admire Gun Media's and IllFonic's continued commitment to improving stability.

While their lack of expediency in this matter has frustrated even the most devoted fans, it's nice to know that it's still happening. Better yet, Gun Media nearly fully detailed the upcoming patch that purports to fix several game-ruining bug fixes, such as key objects falling through the ground upon death and ensuring Perks that start you with items actually work (imagine that). Sure, we don't know the timeline just yet, but when have we ever been able to nail Friday the 13th: The Game to a specific date? Beyond that, it's just refreshing to see that the future of Friday the 13th is secure and goes beyond superficial additions (sexy, though they may be).

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Friday the 13th's Longevity is More Than Just This 80s Bikini - Game Revolution

Perspective and timing is everything.

In 1930, five years before Social Security legislation was passed, the average life expectancy of U.S. citizens was 59.7 years. Thus, the math worked out somewhat favorably for a program designed to pay workers a continuing income after retirement at age 65. The number of people who could statistically expect to live long enough to actually collect was pretty limited, and the percentage of people older than 65 was less than 6%.

What it means to be elderly has undergone a dramatic shift.

Today, those aged 65 and above make up around 12% of the U.S. population. That number is expected to hit 19% by the year 2030. And the average life expectancy in the US has gone up to almost 80 years.

Our perspective on what it means to be elderly has undergone a dramatic shift. Indeed, the World Health Organization estimates that a typical 60-year-old today can reasonably expect not only to survive for many more years, but also to enjoy a healthy, active lifestyle for two decades or more. As technology and medical science continue to advance, we may soon receive a longevity dividend of 30 or even 40 years beyond that available to our great-grandparents. Some researchers even suggest that half of the babies born in todays industrialized countries will live to an age of 100.

When 80 becomes the new 60Think about this prospect: The seniors of the future are likely to enjoy two, three or even four decades of life beyond what we now consider retirement age. What possibilities does this open up? Will it change the way we think about work? About education? About health care?

Another factor to consider is that the baby boomers entering retirement today are more educated, more technically savvy and more connected to the information universe than any prior generation of retirees. They are accustomed to asking questions, looking things up and digging for answers. They also have more information available to them than ever before. A recent Merrill Lynch study reported, for example, that boomers were four times more likely to do their own research on health matters than their parents. These retirees want more than just access to expertise; they want to participate in evaluating the data relevant to their decisions.

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For clients considering long-term care options, a move may be appealing if they find care options in other states that can help them save down the road.

Joseph Coughlin, director of MITs AgeLab, suggests that increasingly, people entering retirement are outcome-focused. Employing a metaphor first suggested by marketing theorist Theodore Levitt, Coughlin says that more and more, retirees just want the tools needed to accomplish the goals they desire. They dont want to own a drill because they want to have a drill around the house; what they really want is a tool to create hole in the wall.

Similarly, boomers dont really want stocks, bonds, mutual funds or insurance; they want the means to live their desired lifestyle when they are no longer actively employed. They want to solve the problems that come with longevity, and those problems, more and more, go beyond simply funding their retirement accounts.

Use the right toolsThe key to longevity planning, then, is to be positioned as a provider of the necessary tools. Consider some of the problems that todays retirees will face:

In order to position themselves to adequately respond to the longevity needs of an aging clientele, advisors will increasingly be called upon to provide not just transaction-based assistance, but also to serve as facilitators of the relationships required to address these and other problems. We will fall short helping our aging clients if we stay in our financial silos; instead, we will need to become conduits for leading them to the solutions they require.

Financial advisors now stand at a frontier: the new business of longevity, says Joseph Coughlin, president of MITs AgeLab.

Certainly, it isnt reasonable to expect advisors to also become experts in gerontology, physical therapy, or occupational counseling. Our deep knowledge of our clients situations and our ability to help them make wise choices about their financial resources will continue to be crucial. We must still be their tool for the important job of maintaining financial security.

But as the longevity trend continues, our clients will need other tools as well. Working from the foundation of our commitment to know them thoroughly, we can provide vital connections for our clients to the other tools they will need. We can form relationships with trusted, thoroughly vetted professionals in industries including housing, construction, home care and employment to help them and their children solve their problems. As AgeLabs Coughlin notes, Financial advisors now stand at a frontier: the new business of longevity. That business will provide them with opportunities to engage with their clients over a lifetime, on more topics, more often, and with greater intimacy.

In many ways, this is the logical extension of the financial advisors mantra of Know your client. As our clients travel farther down the road of the longevity revolution, it will be up to us advisors to help keep their vehicle in top running condition.

Kimberly Foss, CFP, CPWA, is a Financial Planning columnist and founder of Empyrion Wealth Management in California and New York. Shes also the New York Times best-selling author of Wealth by Design. Follow her on Twitter at @KimberlyFossCFP.

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Voices The role of advisors in longevity planning - Financial Planning

Forkhead box O3, also known as FOXO3 or FOXO3a, is a human protein encoded by the FOXO3 gene.[3]

FOXO3 belongs to the O subclass of the forkhead family of transcription factors which are characterized by a distinct fork head DNA-binding domain. There are three other FoxO family members in humans, FOXO1, FOXO4 and FOXO6. These transcription factors share the ability to be inhibited and translocated out of the nucleus on phosphorylation by proteins such as Akt/PKB in the PI3K signaling pathway (aside from FOXO6, which may be constitutively nuclear).[4] Other post-translational modifications including acetylation and methylation are seen and can result in increased or altered FOXO3a activity.

This protein likely functions as a trigger for apoptosis through upregulation of genes necessary for cell death, such as Bim and PUMA,[5] or downregulation of anti-apoptotic proteins such as FLIP.[6]

Gopinath et al.(2014)[7] demonstrate a functional requirement for FOXO3 as a regulator of Notch signaling pathway (an essential regulator of quiescence in adult stem cells) in the self-renewal of stem cells during muscle regeneration.

It is thought that FOXO3a is also involved in protection from oxidative stress by upregulating antioxidants such as catalase and MnSOD. Ron DePinho's group generated Foxo3 knockout mice, and showed that female exhibit a dramatic age-dependent infertility, due to premature ovarian failure.

Deregulation of FOXO3a is involved in tumorigenesis,[8] for example translocation of this gene with the MLL gene is associated with secondary acute leukemia. Downregulation of FOXO3a activity is often seen in cancer (e.g. by increase in Akt activity resulting from loss of PTEN). FOXO3 is known as a tumour suppressor.

Alternatively spliced transcript variants encoding the same protein have been observed.[9]

A variant of FOXO3 has been shown to be associated with longevity in humans. It is found in most centenarians across a variety of ethnic groups around the world.[10][11] The homologous genes daf-16 in the nematode C. elegans and dFOXO in the fruit fly are also associated with longevity in those organisms.

This article incorporates text from the United States National Library of Medicine, which is in the public domain.

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FOXO3 - Wikipedia

Energy organisation SSE has hedged pension longevity risks of 1.2 billion across two of its defined benefit (DB) pension schemes through the completion on one longevity insurance and two buy-in transactions.

The two buy-in transactions, conducted with Pension Insurance Corporation (PIC), totalled 350 million. This included a buy-in for SSEs Scottish Hydro-Electric pension scheme (SHEPS), which covers 250 million of scheme liabilities and approximately 800 pensioners, as well as a buy-in for its Scotia Gas Networks pension scheme (SGNPS). This SGNPS buy-in covers 100 million of pensioner liabilities and 600 pensioners of the schemes 2,000 members.

The longevity insurance, provided by Legal and General, covers a further 800 million of pensioner longevity risk for SHEPS, and transfers the risk to the end reinsurer. This covers around 2,400 pensioners. SHEPS has approximately 5,800 members in total.

Hymans Robertson advised the organisation on all areas of the project, CMS offered legal advice to trustees, Club Vita provided longevity analytics, and Eversheds Sutherland gave legal advice to Legal and General.

Tony Fettiplace, chair of trustees for the Scotia Gas Networks pension scheme, said:This deal is great news for the scheme. Reducing risk over time is an absolute priority for us and it is important to do this in the most cost effective way.

Graham Laughland, chair of trustees for the Scottish Hydro-Electric pension scheme, added:I am delighted to have taken this positive step in reducing risk and improving the security of members benefits.

More here:
SSE hedges 1.2bn of longevity risk for two defined benefit pension schemes - Employee Benefits

As medical instruments and technologies grow more sophisticated and complex, it is increasingly important to guard sensitive components from the autoclaving process while supporting their longevity. Glass offers a solution.

Jochen Herzberg, Schott Electronic Packaging

Autoclavable glass-sealed connector from Schott [Image courtesy of Schott Electronic Packaging]

Implementation of high-quality connectors using the right materials is crucial. Inferior components can weaken the protection of the devices electronics. Glass-to-metal sealing technology, already used in other harsh-environment applications such as aviation, aerospace and automotive safety, has emerged as an ideal solution in the development and manufacture of medical connectors. Glass-to-metal sealed connectors offer a resilient and dependable option that remains reliably gas-tight for over 3,500 autoclaving cycles, subsequently helping extend the lifespan of medical devices.

Many medical connectors are sealed with polymers or epoxy resins, which are not capable of maintaining a dependable seal over a long period. During the autoclaving process and especially after repeated cycles, polymer-based connectors will allow for a certain permeability of moisture. This can cause damage to electronic components. The binders and chemicals that make up polymer seals deteriorate over time, leaving a brittle shield incapable of providing truly reliable protection from autoclaving conditions.

The aging process and breakdown of these organic materials can happen quickly, sometimes after as few as 100 autoclaving cycles. The potential inability of polymer seals to stand up to the fundamentally important autoclaving process can lead to a plethora of problems: shortened device lifespan, failure during a procedure and increased total cost of ownership from compromised seal integrity.

A common argument against glass as a material is the idea that it is easily broken. Glass-to-metal sealing technology challenges this concept. Using advanced manufacturing processes, the glass preform and metal pieces are heated to a temperature that melts the glass, fusing glass and metal to create a gas-tight and pressure-proof seal.

During their use, glass seals maintain integrity because glass is inorganic and non-aging. It is non-porous and resistant to drastic environmental changes. This makes it a choice material to use in the manufacture of medical connectors because it has a proven ability to withstand the autoclaving process more than 3,500 times. The strong seal effectively prevents the ingress of moisture and other outside contaminants, safeguarding electronics from damaging humidity and particulates.

Confidence is of the utmost importance in medicine. A doctors confidence in his abilities, decisions, colleagues and treatment all come together in the effort to create a successful patient outcome. The same need for confidence applies to medical devices. Medical professionals must be able to have trust in their equipment. The use of devices with glass-to-metal sealed connectors goes a long way to help establish this on many fronts.

Cross-contamination incidents are one of the most substantial threats to patient safety and professional integrity in the medical industry. Mitigating the risk of such incidents is why the autoclaving process is extremely important in medical environments. Traditionally, steam sterilization presents a major strain on devices because it can accelerate wear on components. With protection for electronics from glass-to-metal connectors, devices can undergo a complete and intensive autoclaving cycle over 3,500 times without risk of accelerated damage or wear on the electronics.

Increased reliability aided by the use of glass-to-metal connectors eases worry both in the operating room and finance office. Glass-to-metal connectors can help extend device service life, reduce maintenance costs, and lessen the chance of warranty claims and physician frustrations. Surgeons and patients can experience the safety benefit of a decreased chance of device failure, while hospital budgets can experience a reduced burden thanks to a less-frequent device replacement schedule.

Versatility is another key benefit that sets glass-to-metal sealed connectors apart in a constantly developing medical landscape. Integration possibilities for medical applications include surgical tools, endoscopes or instruments for spectrometry and pulse oximetry. Customization possibilities can be met for individual and exact application needs, enabling design flexibility for medical device engineers. This creates the opportunity to conceptualize distinct ideas while still meeting strict regulatory requirements for medical devices.

Glass-to-metal sealed medical connectors can be custom-designed in a number of ways, including varying shapes, sizes and pin configurations to match requirements for integration in medical devices that require power and data supply and must be repeatedly autoclaved.

Devices and techniques will change, but the rigid standards for autoclaving requirements for hygienic operating rooms will remain a constant. As medical instruments and technologies grow more sophisticated and complex, it is increasingly important to guard sensitive components from the autoclaving process while supporting their longevity. Glass, in its distinct role as an inorganic and reliable sealing material, offers a way.

Jochen Herzberg is an innovation leader at Schott Electronic Packaging in Landshut, Germany.

(See the best minds in medtech live at DeviceTalks Boston on Oct. 2.)

Continue reading here:
How glass-sealed connectors increase medical device longevity - Medical Design & Outsourcing