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Archive for the ‘life extension’ category: Page 62

Feb 7, 2024

Team discovers mechanism that protects tissue after faulty gene expression

Posted by in categories: biotech/medical, genetics, life extension

A study at the University of Cologne’s CECAD Cluster of Excellence in Aging Research has identified a protein complex that is activated by defects in the spliceosome, the molecular scissors that process genetic information. Future research could lead to new therapeutic approaches to treat diseases caused by faulty splicing.

The genetic material, in the form of DNA, contains the information that is crucial for the correct functioning of every human and animal cell. From this information repository, RNA, an intermediate between DNA and protein, the functional unit of the cell, is generated. During this process, the must be tailored for specific cell functions. Information that is not needed (introns) is cut out of the RNA and the important components for proteins (exons) are preserved.

A team of researchers led by Professor Dr. Mirka Uhlirova at the University of Cologne’s CECAD Cluster of Excellence in Aging Research has now discovered that if the processing of this information no longer works properly, a (C/EBP heterodimer) is activated and directs the cell towards a dormant state, known as . The results appear under the title “Xrp1 governs the stress response program to spliceosome dysfunction” in Nucleic Acids Research.

Feb 6, 2024

A One-and-Done Injection to Slow Aging? New Study in Mice Opens the Possibility

Posted by in categories: biotech/medical, life extension

A preventative anti-aging therapy seems like wishful thinking.

Yet a new study led by Dr. Corina Amor Vegas at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory describes a treatment that brings the dream to life—at least for mice. Given a single injection in young adulthood, they aged more slowly compared to their peers.

By the equivalent of roughly 65 years of age in humans, the mice were slimmer, could better regulate blood sugar and insulin levels, and had lower inflammation and a more youthful metabolic profile. They even kept up their love for running, whereas untreated seniors turned into couch potatoes.

Feb 6, 2024

Researchers asked older adults about the strategies they use for combatting loneliness. Here’s what they said

Posted by in category: life extension

Ageing, as you might expect, had a big impact on participants’ feelings of loneliness. The deaths of partners and loved ones was particularly difficult, while participants also commented on how loss of mobility restricted their social activities. Social skills were also identified as a risk factor: one participant noted that those without strong social skills may be more likely to suffer.

Emotionally, loneliness was (unsurprisingly) connected to feelings of emptiness, sadness and lack of meaning. One participant described herself as feeling “lost… and not having control, and sometimes it can lead you to not be able to make decisions and then it just gets worse”, whilst another described loneliness as “the feeling of nothing”

But many participants also commented on strategies they used to protect against loneliness. Though ageing was a risk factor, acceptance of ageing had more positive outcomes. As one participant put it: “I used to mountain climb… If I can’t walk anymore, I’ll crawl. You have to learn how to be realistic and not brood about it. I know I’m getting older, but I consider life a transition.” Compassion was also useful: being proactive about helping others, for example, helped some participants prevent being lonely.

Feb 6, 2024

Would We Want to Live Forever?

Posted by in categories: existential risks, life extension, physics

More deathism from Mr Tyson. Really I’m a big fan but I dislike this sort of thinking. I commented on the vid.


What if we could live forever? Neil deGrasse Tyson takes us through life and death: if we could live forever what would life really mean? We explore why fresh flowers have meaning and why dogs make every day count. Learn about the Cretaceous-Tertiary Event, The Permian-Triassic Extinction, The Holocene Epoc, and how Earth is one killing machine.

Continue reading “Would We Want to Live Forever?” »

Feb 6, 2024

Removing Tumors That Have Senescent Cells

Posted by in categories: biotech/medical, life extension

Scientists have discovered a mechanism that lets senescent tumor cells undermine chemotherapy. With this mechanism blocked, standard chemotherapy led to complete regression of mammary tumors in mice [1].

Senescent yet still dangerous

Chemotherapy and radiation therapy, still the two most common treatments for solid tumors, subject cells to powerful stress as they are designed to do. This stress drives cellular senescence. Since senescent cells stop proliferating, inducing senescence in cancer cells is considered a desirable outcome. However, this is not the end of the story.

Feb 6, 2024

An Integrated Approach to Evaluate Acetamiprid-induced Oxidative Damage to tRNA in Human Cells based on Oxidized Nucleotide and tRNA Profiling

Posted by in categories: biotech/medical, life extension, neuroscience

Acetamiprid-induced oxidative stress can harm DNA and tRNA, leading to health problems. A study conducted by Huixia Zhang at Macau University of Science and Technology in 2023 introduced a comprehensive approach to assessing acetamiprid-induced oxidative damage to tRNA in human cells through oxidized nucleotide and tRNA profiling. Acetamiprid, a modern insecticide, is known for causing oxidative stress and related toxicity. Despite its impact on oxidative stress, the effects of acetamiprid-induced oxidative stress on RNA, especially tRNA, remained unexplored until this study.

Acetamiprid was found to elevate reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in HepG2 and LO2 cells, contributing to mitochondrial damage, free radical generation, and antioxidant status depletion. Oxidative damage to DNA and RNA can harm organisms, with prior research addressing RNA damage in aging, neurodegenerative diseases, and mental illnesses. However, its role in acetamiprid-induced toxicities has not been investigated.

The study employed TMSD labeling-based LC-MS/MS to measure oxidized nucleotide levels in HepG2 and LO2 cells treated with two mM acetamiprid. It also examined the impact of acetamiprid on the 8-oxo-G content of tRNAs and created volcano plots to compare RNase T1 digestion products of tRNAs from untreated and acetamiprid-treated cells.

Feb 3, 2024

Next-Gen Mitochondrial Uncouplers: Potential Game Changer for Metabolic Disorders

Posted by in categories: biotech/medical, life extension

Reverse Aging Revolution

Feb 2, 2024

Selection of Intriguing Nontraditional Funding Opportunities

Posted by in categories: innovation, life extension

During my pursuits, I’ve come across an increasing number of exciting nontraditional routes for funding scientific research. The efforts of Adam Marblestone and Benjamin Reinhardt have been particularly instrumental in stimulating this ecosystem, but many other great people have contributed as well. These new funding routes are a welcome relief since many of the most innovative and far-reaching projects are not especially suited for receiving governmental NIH, NSF, etc. funding. If you would like to find a more comprehensive list of such alternative funding sources, you should check out https://arbesman.net/overedge/. My own list (below) consists of funding sources that stand out to me as particularly promising. I hope you find this useful and feel free to reach out if you have any questions!

PDF version

Amaranthe Foundation https://amaranth.foundation/bottlenecks-of-aging “We outline initiatives which, if executed, could meaningfully accelerate the advancement of aging science and other life-extending technologies. The resulting document is a philanthropic menu, for which Amaranth is seeking both talent to execute on and co-funders. If you are a founder, researcher, or philanthropist interested in executing or co-sponsoring one or several of the projects or proposals below, please reach out to us”

Feb 2, 2024

Chemotherapy becomes more efficient when senescent cells are eliminated by immunotherapy, shows study

Posted by in categories: biotech/medical, life extension

Cancer treatments, including chemotherapy, in addition to killing a large number of tumor cells, also result in the generation of senescent tumor cells (also called “zombie cells”). While senescent cells do not reproduce, they do, unfortunately, generate a favorable environment for the expansion of tumor cells that may have escaped the effects of the chemotherapy and eventually result in tumor regrowth.

An international team of researchers led by Dr. Manuel Serrano at IRB Barcelona has described in Nature Cancer how cells that have become senescent after chemotherapy activate the PD-L2 protein to protect themselves from the immune system while recruiting immune suppressor cells. The latter creates an inhibitory environment that impairs the ability of lymphocytes to kill cancer cells.

Based on these findings, scientists wondered what would be the effect of inactivating PD-L2. Interestingly, lacking PD-L2 are rapidly eliminated by the immune system. This intercepts the capacity of senescent cells to create an immunosuppressive environment and, as a result, lymphocytes retain their full capacity to kill those that may have escaped the effects of chemotherapy.

Jan 30, 2024

The Professions of the Future (1)

Posted by in categories: automation, big data, business, computing, cyborgs, disruptive technology, education, Elon Musk, employment, evolution, futurism, information science, innovation, internet, life extension, lifeboat, machine learning, posthumanism, Ray Kurzweil, robotics/AI, science, singularity, Skynet, supercomputing, transhumanism

We are witnessing a professional revolution where the boundaries between man and machine slowly fade away, giving rise to innovative collaboration.

Photo by Mateusz Kitka (Pexels)

As Artificial Intelligence (AI) continues to advance by leaps and bounds, it’s impossible to overlook the profound transformations that this technological revolution is imprinting on the professions of the future. A paradigm shift is underway, redefining not only the nature of work but also how we conceptualize collaboration between humans and machines.

As creator of the ETER9 Project (2), I perceive AI not only as a disruptive force but also as a powerful tool to shape a more efficient, innovative, and inclusive future. As we move forward in this new world, it’s crucial for each of us to contribute to building a professional environment that celebrates the interplay between humanity and technology, where the potential of AI is realized for the benefit of all.

In the ETER9 Project, dedicated to exploring the interaction between artificial intelligences and humans, I have gained unique insights into the transformative potential of AI. Reflecting on the future of professions, it’s evident that adaptability and a profound understanding of technological dynamics will be crucial to navigate this new landscape.

Continue reading “The Professions of the Future (1)” »

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