Neuroscientists Are Also Capable of Incoherent Arguments Against Cryonics
The objective is to preserve the fine structure of neural tissue and nerve cell connections that encode the data of the mind. Provided that is stored successfully, then foreseeable forms of technology will in the future enable restoration and repair of this tissue. Early cryonics involved straight freezing, which wrecks tissue due to ice crystal formation. Modern cryonics aims for as-complete-as-possible vitrification via cryoprotectants, a process that suppresses ice crystal formation. There is ample evidence based on present theories of neural data encoding to believe that the necessary information is being preserved, al...
Source: Fight Aging! - September 16, 2015 Category: Research Authors: Reason Tags: Healthy Life Extension Community Source Type: blogs
Field Focus: Progress in RNA Interference Research
Scientists first noticed what would later prove to be RNA interference when puzzling over an unexpected loss of color in petunia petals. Subsequent studies in roundworms revealed that double-stranded RNA can inactivate specific genes. Credit: Alisa Z. Machalek.
In less than two decades, RNA interference (RNAi)—a natural process cells use to inactivate, or silence, specific genes—has progressed from a fundamental finding to a powerful research tool and a potential therapeutic approach. To check in on this fast-moving field, I spoke to geneticists Craig Mello of the University of Massachusetts Medical School and Michae...
Source: Biomedical Beat Blog - National Institute of General Medical Sciences - August 20, 2015 Category: Research Authors: mchattiezs Tags: Genetics Cellular Processes Field Focus Genes Nobel Prize RNA Source Type: blogs
More on Aging Research at the Buck Institute
Here is a second in a series of popular press articles on the work of the Buck Institute for Aging Research, this one focused on studies of the mechanisms of aging in nematode worms:
The genes of Caenorhabditis elegans, a 1 millimeter-long, soil-dwelling roundworm or nematode, resemble those of people. Its genome - complete set of DNA with about 19,000 protein-coding genes - differs from ours in architecture but has some 60 percent protein conservation, where proteins expressed by the genes have similar shapes and functions. With a normal lifespan of just 20 days, C. elegans offer scientists at Novato-based Buck Institute...
Source: Fight Aging! - July 17, 2015 Category: Research Authors: Reason Tags: Daily News Source Type: blogs
A Brief Introduction to Model Organisms in Aging Research
The varied approaches to research developed over past decades by the aging research community are driven by two things: firstly that we live for a long time, and secondly the absence of a way to accurately determine an individual's biological age. The only way to measure the effects of potential treatments is to carry out life span studies, and in humans that is impractical to say the least. Thus research into aging and longevity starts with short-lived animals such as nematode worms and flies: exploration and experimentation takes place using these species because life span studies can be carried out in a suitably short p...
Source: Fight Aging! - April 16, 2015 Category: Research Authors: Reason Tags: Medicine, Biotech, Research Source Type: blogs
An Introduction to IGF-1 in Aging
Of the many proteins and signaling pathways shown to influence the pace of aging, insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) is perhaps the most studied:
The really fun thing about discussing signaling networks (the inputs that let cells make decisions based on their environment) in aging is the wide range of ways that these pathways exert their influence. They take inputs (nutrition, hormones, toxic molecules) and use their existing programming (epigenetic state) to make decisions. Components that control one process, such as regulating body size, can play roles in completely different processes. Today, I'll discuss an example...
Source: Fight Aging! - April 8, 2015 Category: Research Authors: Reason Tags: Daily News Source Type: blogs
Media Attention Given to Philanthropic Funding of Early Stage Longevity Science
Much of the most important research into aging, work that might produce the foundations of rejuvenation therapies, is still funded only by philanthropic donations at this stage. As the state of the science advances this support is receiving more attention from the press and public, part of a process that will see more funding institutions join in, arriving after initial technology demonstrations such as clearance of senescent cells. Institutional funding is very conservative and almost never provides support for the early stage, high risk research that advances the state of the art. Philanthropy is needed because little pr...
Source: Fight Aging! - April 6, 2015 Category: Research Authors: Reason Tags: Daily News Source Type: blogs
Surprising Role for Protein Involved in Cell Death
Many of the key players in regulating apoptosis were discovered in C. elegans. This tiny roundworm has more than 19,000 genes, and a vast number of them are very similar to genes in other organisms, including people. Credit: Ewa M. Davison.
Our cells come equipped with a self-destruct mechanism that’s activated during apoptosis, a carefully controlled process by which the body rids itself of unneeded or potentially harmful cells. Scientists have long known that a protein called PSR-1 helps clean up the cellular remains. Now they’ve found that PSR-1 also can repair broken nerve fibers.
Ding Xue of the University of Co...
Source: Biomedical Beat Blog - National Institute of General Medical Sciences - March 24, 2015 Category: Research Authors: Srivalli Subbaramaiah Tags: Cell Biology Source Type: blogs
More SIRT7 Improves Aged Stem Cell Regenerative Capacity
There is relatively little study of sirtuin 7 (SIRT7) in comparison to the better known and greatly overhyped sirtuin 1 (SIRT1). All members of the sirtuin family have broad influence over a range of fundamental cellular processes, and thus cataloging their roles in metabolism is an enormous undertaking, still in the early stages despite the mountains of data and years of work to date. Still, inroads are being made, but it remains to be seen whether they are any more likely to result in practical applications than the past decade of work on SIRT1.
Mitochondria host a multitude of proteins that need to be folded properly t...
Source: Fight Aging! - March 20, 2015 Category: Research Authors: Reason Tags: Daily News Source Type: blogs
Reviewing What is Known of Insulin in Aging
When it comes to the mechanisms by which the operation of metabolism determines natural variations in longevity, few areas are as well studied as the role of insulin and insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1). This is no doubt in part due to the size and influence of the type 2 diabetes research community, but it is also the case that most of the methods so far demonstrated to slow aging and extend life in mice, such as calorie restriction, appear to act at least partially through alterations to insulin metabolism and related systems. Here is a review on this topic, with a focus on the brain:
Insulin is the most powerful anab...
Source: Fight Aging! - February 26, 2015 Category: Research Authors: Reason Tags: Daily News Source Type: blogs
Molecules Known to Damage Cells May Also Have Healing Power
Biology in balance: Molecules called free radicals—like the peroxide molecules illustrated here—have a reputation for being dangerous. Now, they’ve revealed healing powers. In worms, at least. Credit: Stock image
When our health is concerned, some molecules are widely labeled “good,” while others are considered “bad.” Often, the truth is more complicated.
Consider free radical molecules. These highly reactive, oxygen-containing molecules are well known for damaging DNA, proteins and other molecules in our bodies. They are suspected of contributing to premature aging and cancer. But now, new research shows th...
Source: Biomedical Beat Blog - National Institute of General Medical Sciences - December 1, 2014 Category: Research Authors: Srivalli Subbaramaiah Tags: Cell Biology Chemistry and Biochemistry Physical Trauma and Sepsis Source Type: blogs
HIF-1 and AMPK in Regulation of Mitochondrial Generation of Reactive Oxygen Species
Many of the varied genes and proteins that can be manipulated to extend longevity in lower animals are associated with mitochondrial function, and specifically the pace at which mitochondria generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the course of performing the task of generating adenosine_triphosphate, a chemical energy store used to power cellular processes. Cells react to the levels of ROS produced by their mitochondria, such as by dialing up their housekeeping and repair efforts when ROS output increases during exercise. More extended periods of increased cellular housekeeping lead to extended longevity for all the obv...
Source: Fight Aging! - October 8, 2014 Category: Research Authors: Reason Tags: Daily News Source Type: blogs
Everything Looks the Same in the Distance
This article is an example of the phenomenon, in which it is a matter of accident and publicity as to whom the author discusses, rather than whether or not their efforts are relevant or effective. Thus what is intended to be a discussion of Silicon Valley initiatives targeting aging and longevity manages to omit the SENS Research Foundation, despite the organization being headquartered there, and spends many of its words on the next generation of self-deluding snake oil salespeople, pushing the quantified self rather than pills this time around.
Asprey is trying to stop individual bodies from aging - starting with his own...
Source: Fight Aging! - August 26, 2014 Category: Research Authors: Reason Tags: Daily News Source Type: blogs
Acquired Inheritance in Response to Starvation
In recent years researchers have discovered that the metabolic response to calorie restriction can extend into following generations, passed along via epigenetic and other mechanisms. The metabolism of descendant individuals is altered from the norm even when they never experience calorie restriction themselves. Data on this effect is harder to establish for humans in comparison to short-lived laboratory species, but it does exist:
Evidence from human famines and animal studies suggests that starvation can affect the health of descendants of famished individuals. Starving women who gave birth during the famine had childre...
Source: Fight Aging! - July 21, 2014 Category: Research Authors: Reason Tags: Daily News Source Type: blogs
How Offal! Global Warming Threatens the World’s Haggis Supply!!
Patrick J. Michaels and Paul C. "Chip" Knappenberger
Global Science Report is a feature from the Center for the Study of Science, where we highlight one or two important new items in the scientific literature or the popular media. For broader and more technical perspectives, consult our monthly “Current Wisdom.” In this edition, we cover an important story that we missed back in 2008.
People send us stuff. As a result of our recent Global Science Report on global warming ruining our bananas, one of our fans directed our attention to an important effect of climate change that we somehow missed, back in 2008, ...
Source: Cato-at-liberty - December 19, 2013 Category: Health Medicine and Bioethics Commentators Authors: Patrick J. Michaels, Paul C. "Chip" Knappenberger Source Type: blogs
