All posts tagged: longevity

Rapamycin seems to boost longevity as effectively as eating less

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[ad_1] An illustration of the drug rapamycin (red) inhibiting the protein complex mTORC1, which has various effects on cellular function SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY/Getty Images The drug rapamycin seems to have more or less the same life-extending effect as restricting calories, according to the largest study yet of longevity in different vertebrate species. Scientists are investigating whether interventions like dietary tweaks and exercise could help us live longer while reducing the health impacts of ageing. Restricting calorie intake while ensuring essential nutrient needs are met, for example, has been shown to extend the lifespan of non-human animals by as much as 40 per cent. “Anyone in the field who’s paying attention, I think we all have known for a long time that caloric restriction usually works – and by works, I mean increases lifespan,” says Matt Kaeberlein at the University of Washington in Seattle, who wasn’t involved in the latest research. Another approach garnering interest is potential anti-ageing drugs, such as rapamycin, which was originally developed as an immunosuppressant. A combination of rapamycin and the cancer drug …

Exploring the longevity of battery-powered electric vehicles

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[ad_1] A new study has revealed that battery-powered electric vehicles are now more reliable and can match the lifespans of traditional cars and vans with petrol and diesel engines – marking a pivotal moment in the drive towards sustainable transportation. Researchers used nearly 300 million UK Ministry of Transport (MOT) test records charting the ‘health’ of every vehicle on the United Kingdom’s roads between 2005 and 2022 to estimate vehicle longevity and provide a comprehensive analysis of survival rates for different powertrains. The international research team found that, although early battery-powered electric vehicles (BEVs) were less reliable than internal combustion engine vehicles (ICEVs), rapid advances in technology have enabled newer BEVs to achieve comparable lifespans, even under more intensive use. Battery-powered electric vehicles are becoming more reliable The research found that BEVs demonstrated the most rapid improvement in reliability, with a 12% lower likelihood of failure (hazard rate) for each successive year of production, compared to 6.7% for petrol and 1.9% for diesel vehicles. On average, battery-powered electric vehicles now have a lifespan of 18.4 …

OpenAI has created an AI model for longevity science

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[ad_1] Although genetic engineers have ways to direct evolution of molecules in the lab, they can usually test only so many possibilities. And even a protein of typical length can be changed in nearly infinite ways (since they’re built from hundreds of amino acids, and each acid comes in 20 possible varieties). OpenAI’s model, however, often spits out suggestions in which a third of the amino acids in the proteins were changed. OPENAI “We threw this model into the lab immediately and we got real-world results,” says Retro’s CEO, Joe Betts-Lacroix. He says the model’s ideas were unusually good, leading to improvements over the original Yamanaka factors in a substantial fraction of cases. Vadim Gladyshev, a Harvard University aging researcher who consults with Retro, says better ways of making stem cells are needed. “For us, it would be extremely useful. [Skin cells] are easy to reprogram, but other cells are not,” he says. “And to do it in a new species—it’s often extremely different, and you don’t get anything.”  How exactly the GPT-4b arrives at …

Exploring NAD+: Is It Really A Key To Longevity?

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[ad_1] Authored by Jennifer Sweenie via The Epoch Times (emphasis ours), Short for nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, NAD+ supplements are being studied for their effects on cellular energy production, mitochondria function, and DNA repair. Before reaching for a supplement, though, it’s important to explore the role of NAD+ in the body and the existing evidence on its ties to longevity, as well as ways to boost NAD+ levels naturally. AlteredR/Shutterstock As researchers work to uncover the mechanisms behind aging, NAD+ has emerged as a promising therapeutic. What Is NAD+? NAD+ is a coenzyme, a small molecule that acts as a catalyst for enzymes to perform their functions. NAD+ is found in all cells in the body and has a critical role in transferring energy within our cells. NAD+ is involved in various metabolic processes, including converting the food we eat into the energy our cells need to stay alive. It helps generate adenosine triphosphate (ATP), a final product our bodies can use. ATP is the end fuel source all our cells use. Without NAD, you cannot make ATP—an …

A longevity expert says these are the three exercises we should all be doing regularly

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[ad_1] Longevity has become a bit of a buzzword of late, with even Chris Hemsworth diving into the topic in his Disney+ series Limitless. It makes sense though—who wouldn’t want to live, and live well, for as long as possible? As the director of fitness at Pritikin Longevity Center, Caitlin Donato is something of a specialist in the subject. She has shared her three best exercises for longevity, and they might be surprisingly familiar. The moves are the squat, deadlift and pull-up—three strength and muscle-building staples. After all, a strong body allows you to handle the rigors of everyday life while minimizing your injury risk. These exercises also cover three fundamental movement patterns that mirror what we do daily—whether you’re hinging over to pick something up, squatting down to tie a shoelace or pulling open a heavy door—so it pays to be well-versed in them. How to do Caitlin Donato’s three best exercises for longevity 1. Squat Start by standing upright with your feet shoulder-width apart. Lower your body by bending your knees and lowering …

‘I just feel like living every day’: oldest American, 115, offers tips for longevity | Texas

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[ad_1] The oldest person in the US offers two bits of advice when asked for the keys to her longevity: “If the good Lord gave it to you, use it” and “Speak your mind, don’t bite your tongue!” Elizabeth Francis’s pearls of wisdom were recirculated widely as she celebrated her 115th birthday on Thursday. The milestone cemented her place as the world’s fourth-oldest living person, according to the LongeviQuest website, an authority on supercentenarians, or those who are 110 or older. Francis was born in 1909 in St Mary parish, Louisiana, about 90 miles (145km) south-west of New Orleans. She was two when the Titanic sank and had turned 11 before women gained the right to vote in the US. She has seen the end of both world wars, lived through 20 different US presidencies and survived two of the deadliest pandemics: the 1918 flu outbreak and Covid-19. Now a resident of Houston, Francis recently lived through another notable event when Hurricane Beryl struck just west of the Texas city on 8 July. The category …

Do Longevity Supplements Actually Work? An Expert Finally Has The Answer

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[ad_1] You know how it goes. You commit to a health kick, buy all the gadgets to keep you motivated and, of course, invest in a lot of supplements. This is especially true when it comes to supplements aimed at longevity — who doesn’t want to live longer? Especially if it can be done by just taking a little tablet every day? Easy! But, the question that we’re too scared to ask ourselves is, do supplements actually work? Do longevity supplements actually give us a chance at a longer life? Thankfully, an expert at ZOE has the answer. Do longevity supplements actually work? On the latest ZOE podcast, their head nutritionist Federica Amati said, when it comes to wellness, we need to first look at our habits. If you drink, she suggests bringing it down to a glass of red 3 nights a week and added that it shouldn’t be a daily habit. She also said: “I’ll say this because it’s obvious, but it needs to be said, but stop smoking. Smoking cigarettes is the …

Climbing stairs is linked to a longevity boost. How many flights is enough? : Shots

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[ad_1] Climbing stairs is a good way to get quick bursts of aerobic exercise, says cardiologist Dr. Carlin Long. lingqi xie/Getty Images hide caption toggle caption lingqi xie/Getty Images Climbing stairs is a good way to get quick bursts of aerobic exercise, says cardiologist Dr. Carlin Long. lingqi xie/Getty Images At a time when less than half of adults in the U.S. get the recommended amount of exercise, there is new evidence that climbing stairs can reduce the risk of heart disease and help people live longer. A new meta-analysis presented at a European Society of Cardiology conference finds that people in the habit of climbing stairs had about a 39% lower likelihood of death from heart disease, compared to those who didn’t climb stairs. They also had a lower risk of heart attacks and strokes. “I was surprised that such a simple form of exercise can reduce all-cause mortality,” says study author Dr. Sophie Paddock, of the University of East Anglia and Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital Foundation Trust in the UK. She and …

A ‘longevity revolution’ is coming. Here’s how those over 100 are making the most of their lives | Well actually

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[ad_1] Loneliness. Ageism. Physical limitations, cognitive decline and, increasingly, elder poverty. The downsides of living to 100 and beyond are numerous. But so are the upsides. Life at its essence is about time – time to live, time to laugh, time to love – and many of those who have achieved a triple-digit age are living their best lives as centenarians. As I explore in my new book, The Big 100: The New World of Super-Aging, we’re experiencing what the United Nations calls a “longevity revolution”, and there’s no turning back. By 2050, the number of us reaching 100 is projected to increase eightfold to 3.7 million people – roughly the equivalent of everyone living in Connecticut or Los Angeles. And half of all five-year-olds alive right now are expected to live to 100. What can we do to get the most out of our bonus years? Here’s some wisdom from those who’ve been there. Believe in something bigger than yourself Juan Vicente Mora was officially recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records as …

Cheap longevity drug? Researchers aim to test if metformin can slow down aging : Shots

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[ad_1] Venca-Stastny/Getty Images Venca-Stastny/Getty Images A drug taken by millions of people to control diabetes may do more than lower blood sugar. Research suggests metformin has anti-inflammatory effects that could help protect against common age-related diseases including heart disease, cancer, and cognitive decline. Scientists who study the biology of aging have designed a clinical study, known as The TAME Trial, to test whether metformin can help prevent these diseases and promote a longer healthspan in healthy, older adults. Michael Cantor, an attorney, and his wife Shari Cantor, the mayor of West Hartford, Connecticut both take metformin. “I tell all my friends about it,” Michael Cantor says. “We all want to live a little longer, high-quality life if we can,” he says. Michael Cantor started on metformin about a decade ago when his weight and blood sugar were creeping up. Shari Cantor began taking metformin during the pandemic after she read that it may help protect against serious infections. Shari and Michael Cantor both take metformin. They are both in their mid-60s and say they feel …