“PictureWhat” ??? Super-Human Poison Ivy. What’s Going On?
By MIKE MAGEE Connecticut loves its’ trees. And no town in Connecticut loves its’ trees more than West Hartford, CT. The town borders include an elaborate interconnected reservoir system that does double duty as a focal point for a wide range of nature paths for walkers, runners and cyclists. While walking one path yesterday, I came a tree with the healthiest upward advancing vine I had ever seen. My “PictureThis” app took no time to identify the plant. To my surprise, it was Toxicodendron radicans, known commonly as Poison Ivy. The description didn’t pull punches. It read, “In pop culture, poison ivy ...
Source: The Health Care Blog - September 20, 2023 Category: Consumer Health News Authors: matthew holt Tags: Non-Health Global Warming Mike Magee Poison Ivy Source Type: blogs

Separate U.S. Alliances in East Asia Are Obsolete
Washington manages its alliances with Tokyo and Seoul separately. But growing South Korean and Japanese military capabilities make a conversation about more integration unavoidable. (Source: The RAND Blog)
Source: The RAND Blog - September 14, 2023 Category: Health Management Authors: Christopher B. Johnstone Source Type: blogs

Daily Orange Juice Intake Lowers Blood Pressure, Study Finds
Conclusion The University of Toronto’s groundbreaking study makes waves in the health community. It demonstrates that a glass of orange juice a day can indeed lower high blood pressure, a key factor in cardiovascular health. This adds nuance to our understanding of dietary impacts on blood pressure. However, it’s critical to remember that this isn’t a silver bullet. The study still underscores the superior benefits of consuming whole fruits. As we navigate our health journeys, it appears orange juice could be a helpful ally—when consumed in moderation and as part of a balanced diet...
Source: The EMT Spot - September 11, 2023 Category: Emergency Medicine Authors: Michael Rotman, MD, FRCPC, PhD Tags: News Source Type: blogs

“The Greatest Scientist of All Time” says Scientific American. Who is it?
BY MIKE MAGEE When it comes to our earthly survival as a human species, words are often under-powered and off-the-mark. Clearer concepts, definitions and terms are required for clarity. Here are five terms that are useful and worth remembering: Planetary Boundaries Earth Systems Human Perturbations Planetary Scale Destabilization Holocene Epoch vs. Anthropogenic Epoch  These terms all tie back to a single source – a child of World War II, only seven when his home in Amsterdam was overrun by Nazis. His father was a waiter, his mother a cook in a local hospital. He’d later recall with a sh...
Source: The Health Care Blog - September 11, 2023 Category: Consumer Health News Authors: Ryan Bose-Roy Tags: Non-Health Chemistry Mike Magee Ozone Paul Crutzen Scientific American Source Type: blogs

Has Sensemaking Collapsed When It Comes To U.S. Healthcare?
By MIKE MAGEE This past week my wife and I were at a family event to celebrate my brother-in-law’s 70th birthday. Our extended family has more than a few doctors. A physician nephew who had read CODE BLUE and had a strong interest in health policy asked if I felt I (and others) were too hard on doctors. My response was yes, but that it was intentional and came with the territory. Combining scientific, sometimes life and death expertise, with high-touch compassion, understanding and partnership has always been a “big ask” but that was what we and others had signed up for as “health professionals.” But can a ...
Source: The Health Care Blog - September 5, 2023 Category: Consumer Health News Authors: matthew holt Tags: Health Policy Deming Don Berwick ESCAPE FIRE Karl E. Weick Mike Magee Physicians Sensemaking Source Type: blogs

Fight Aging! Newsletter, September 4th 2023
In conclusion, although the contribution of CRF to GrimAgeAccel and FitAgeAccel is relatively low compared to lifestyle-related factors such as smoking, the results suggest that the maintenance of CRF is associated with delayed biological ageing in older men. « Back to Top Release of Acetylcholine is Necessary for the Aging Brain to Compensate for a Lack of Neurogenesis https://www.fightaging.org/archives/2023/09/release-of-acetylcholine-is-necessary-for-the-aging-brain-to-compensate-for-a-lack-of-neurogenesis/ Neurogenesis is the process by which new neurons are created by neural stem c...
Source: Fight Aging! - September 3, 2023 Category: Research Authors: Reason Tags: Newsletters Source Type: blogs

Physical Fitness Correlates with Slower Epigenetic Aging in Newer DNA Methylation Clocks
In conclusion, although the contribution of CRF to GrimAgeAccel and FitAgeAccel is relatively low compared to lifestyle-related factors such as smoking, the results suggest that the maintenance of CRF is associated with delayed biological ageing in older men. (Source: Fight Aging!)
Source: Fight Aging! - August 31, 2023 Category: Research Authors: Reason Tags: Medicine, Biotech, Research Source Type: blogs

A Trilateral Summit to Deal with Trilateral Threats
The leaders of Japan, South Korea, and the United States held a trilateral summit in August, focused on countering military threats in East Asia. Not surprisingly, China and North Korea were upset by the summit, designed as it was to respond to their military build-ups. (Source: The RAND Blog)
Source: The RAND Blog - August 29, 2023 Category: Health Management Authors: Bruce W. Bennett Source Type: blogs

Fight Aging! Newsletter, August 21st 2023
This study aimed to investigate the association between frailty index and circulating CAP2 concentration in 467 community-dwelling older adults (median age: 79; range: 65-92 years). The selected robust regression model showed that circulating CAP2 concentration was not associated with chronological age, as well as sex and education. However, circulating CAP2 concentration was significantly and inversely associated with the frailty index: a 0.1-unit increase in frailty index leads to ~0.5-point mean decrease in CAP2 concentration. Furthermore, mean CAP2 concentration was significantly lower in frail participants (i.e., fr...
Source: Fight Aging! - August 21, 2023 Category: Research Authors: Reason Tags: Newsletters Source Type: blogs

Survivors of Nuclear Weapon Use in Early Life Exhibit Accelerated Immune Aging in Late Life
It probably strains the meaning of the term to call the aftermath of the use of nuclear weapons at the end of the Second World War a natural experiment, but nonetheless there has been considerable study of survivors from those events and their health relative to control populations in other parts of Japan. Irradiation is known to produce what is effectively accelerated aging in the context of cancer treatment, producing an increased burden of senescent cells that then ensure the later course of health for survivors is worse than would otherwise be the case, absent both cancer and treatment. In the case of exposure to radia...
Source: Fight Aging! - August 14, 2023 Category: Research Authors: Reason Tags: Medicine, Biotech, Research Source Type: blogs

Study Warns That Even Light Drinking Can Raise Blood Pressure
Conclusion In sum, the international research study underscores the significant impact of alcohol consumption on blood pressure, with effects noticed even at low levels. Contrary to common assumptions, it highlights no beneficial effects in low-level drinkers compared to non-drinkers. The findings serve as a crucial reminder of the importance of moderation, or ideally, avoidance of alcohol for effective blood pressure management and optimal cardiovascular health. The global scale and comprehensive approach of the study lend weight to its findings, making them a key resource for individuals worldwide. In the face o...
Source: The EMT Spot - August 1, 2023 Category: Emergency Medicine Authors: Michael Rotman, MD, FRCPC, PhD Tags: News Source Type: blogs

Zilebesiran: A Promising Leap Forward In Hypertension Management
Conclusion As we draw the curtain on this insightful dive into Zilebesiran, a couple of takeaways stand out. Zilebesiran, the promising twice-yearly shot, is opening new frontiers in hypertension management. With its ability to suppress angiotensin production, it offers a fresh approach that could alleviate the burden of daily pill regimens. But the shot is still in its developmental phase, and further research is crucial to fully understand its capabilities and limitations. Still, it’s important to remember that medications are only a part of the solution. The enduring message from health professionals is ...
Source: The EMT Spot - July 24, 2023 Category: Emergency Medicine Authors: Michael Rotman, MD, FRCPC, PhD Tags: News Source Type: blogs

Yoghurt: A Delicious Solution To High Blood Pressure?
Conclusion In a nutshell, the humble pot of yoghurt could be a powerful tool in the fight against high blood pressure. From its impressive mineral content to the potential blood-pressure-lowering action of its amino acids, yoghurt has proven to be more than just a tasty snack. However, as we’ve learned from Dr. Lee, the type and quantity of yoghurt we consume matters. The takeaway? Dietary choices can significantly impact our health, making conscious consumption essential. Now, you might view that bowl of yoghurt in a new light, not only for its delicious taste but also for its potential health-...
Source: The EMT Spot - July 16, 2023 Category: Emergency Medicine Authors: Michael Rotman, MD, FRCPC, PhD Tags: Blood Pressure Source Type: blogs

Fight Aging! Newsletter, July 17th 2023
In conclusion, the longevity-associated genotype of FLT1 may confer increased lifespan by protecting against mortality risk posed by hypertension. We suggest that FLT1 expression in individuals with longevity genotype boosts vascular endothelial resilience mechanisms to counteract hypertension-related stress in vital organs and tissues. Resistance Exercise Slows the Onset of Pathology in a Mouse Model of Alzheimer's Disease https://www.fightaging.org/archives/2023/07/resistance-exercise-slows-the-onset-of-pathology-in-a-mouse-model-of-alzheimers-disease/ With the caveat that mouse models of Alzheimer'...
Source: Fight Aging! - July 16, 2023 Category: Research Authors: Reason Tags: Newsletters Source Type: blogs

Longevity-Associated FLT1 Variant May Protect Against Hypertension Consequences
In conclusion, the longevity-associated genotype of FLT1 may confer increased lifespan by protecting against mortality risk posed by hypertension. We suggest that FLT1 expression in individuals with longevity genotype boosts vascular endothelial resilience mechanisms to counteract hypertension-related stress in vital organs and tissues. Link: https://doi.org/10.18632/aging.204722 (Source: Fight Aging!)
Source: Fight Aging! - July 10, 2023 Category: Research Authors: Reason Tags: Daily News Source Type: blogs