Category Archives: Longevity

This years Celebration marking 65 years of Sidmouth Folk Festival may have been smaller than usual due to Covid restrictions, but the event was as vibrant as always.Whats the secret to the festivals longevity? Theres a clue in Sidmouths inclusivity from toddlers to centenarians, theres always something to enjoy and something new to learn. Many of todays seasoned performers first came to Sidmouth as youngsters, and the next generation are already preparing to take their own place at future festivals.Normally about a third of Sidmouths events are participatory. Festival mornings are dedicated to music, dance and song workshops for adults and children, and 12- to 17-year-olds benefit from their own Shooting Roots programme, culminating in stage performances at the end of the week.This year there were no performances, and most workshops moved online, but young festival goers were still able to enjoy a programme of family entertainment and activities, including dance and music workshops, singalongs and crafts, at the Blackmore Gardens.Tabitha from Totnes has been bringing her daughter Juno to Sidmouth since she was a baby. When I was younger, I used to come for the week, she said. Now Ive got a seven-year-old, weve just popped over for a couple of days during the school holidays.Tabitha says that Juno was excited about the childrens festival. We followed Beltane Border Morris outside the Swan last night Juno loves to join in with their dances. She was very excited to come camping and was up bright and early this morning, wanting to come to the festival.When I caught up with them, Juno and her five-year-old friend Alice had been busy in the craft tent, making insects and flowers and learning traditional string games, and had now settled down to watch the Exmouth Shanty Men.They appreciate good singing, Tabitha said. Junos opinion? I had a lovely time at the childrens festival today. I had lots of fun at the craft table.Juno is also learning the violin, so in years to come perhaps well see her take her place on the Sidmouth stage...

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Inclusivity of all ages is secret to festival's longevity - Sidmouth Herald

The Back 4 Bloodbeta is well underway, allowing players to jump in and experience the spiritual successor to the Left 4 Dead series. While jumping in with a group of pals and facing down hordes of the undead is as fun as its always been, things have certainly changed in the gaming space since L4D reigned king.

Between squad-based battle royale games, intricate hero shooters and ever-changing online open worlds like GTA Online, theres never been a better time to play games with your friends. Whats also clear is that its no longer enough for a game like Back 4 Blood to just be fun to play (gestures in the direction of Anthem), it also has to offer a reason to stick around, to keep a fertile playerbase interested and loyal. Luckily, Back 4 Blood places a decent focus on player choice, which might just be the key to keeping it relevant long after its initial release.

Theres added variety from the outset of Back 4 Blood, as youre asked to choose from a roster of Cleaners, each with their own starting weapons and skills. One might have the ability to recover stamina after each kill, while another can break out of grabs. Ive already found myself favouring a couple of characters over others, and which one I choose directly affects how I play through each level.

Holly has become a personal favourite, as her stamina recovery means I can rush into a horde swinging a melee weapon, safe in the knowledge that I wont run out of pep before the last enemy has fallen. One of the people I have been playing with often chooses Evangelo, and has become our designated special killer due to the fact that they can get in close without worrying about being grabbed. The differences between Cleaners only get more important as you ramp up the difficulty as well.

The Cleaners are just one part of the puzzle however, as its when paired with Back 4 Bloods deck-building mechanic that the replayability really starts to shine. At the start of each Act, you can select a deck of cards to go in with. These are customised back at camp, with new cards being unlocked as you play more. In many ways, your deck is as important as the character that you choose, as they grant special bonuses that can mean the difference between sweet success and gut-wrenching failure. One card, Blood Donor, triggers health regen for the rest of your team if you go down, allowing for a counter attack as your teammates rush forward to get you back into the game.

Back 4 Blood. Credit: Turtle Rock Studios

You can pack your decks with up to fifteen cards at a time, though its much more beneficial to streamline them to increase the draw chances of the more useful cards. Ive been replaying Act One of the Back 4 Blood beta over and over to earn Supply Points and unlock new cards, holding off on higher difficulties until I have a decent deck for the game to pull from.

Essentially, Back 4 Bloods new player-focused mechanics have had me putting together builds in the background, in a way that feels pretty natural when compared to other games with deck-building folded into their gameplay. These builds hinge on which player you use, and I can absolutely see myself building specific decks for the three main characters I use.

While pushing your way through one of Back 4 Bloods monster-packed levels, there are additional opportunities to build upon your character. Every now and then youll come across a card pickup, often asking for a fair chunk of your hard-earned Copper to add another card to your deck.

Its always a difficult decision to make, especially seeing as some of the cards have negative effects tied to the bonuses offered. It usually all depends on how a particular run is going. Is your team getting downed a lot? Are you constantly running out of ammo? It all plays into whether you take that shiny new card or not. None of these mechanics are particularly novel, but they do add a noticeable variety when compared to what was in hindsight a fairly streamlined experience in L4D.

Back 4 Blood. Credit: Turtle Rock Studios

The cards that have been included in the beta are fairly straightforward, rarely offering more than extra health boosts or increased ammo capacity. My hope is that the developers over at Turtle Rock Studios continue to expand the deck-building aspects of Back 4 Blood, as it could add a whole lot of variety in the future.

There are also cards called Corruption Cards, which are randomly rolled at the start of a level and generally add new parameters to the proceedings. One adds a thick mist to the environment, making ambushes more frequent and harder to deal with.

Its here that I think the greatest potential could be for Back 4 Bloods future. Its easy to see how limited events could work, with specific sets of cards available to player for a run. Its a great way to add slight tweaks to levels that youll likely be replaying over and over again, one that could help tide players over between major updates.

One of the first objectives you get while waiting in Back 4 Bloods camp hub is to try out the firing range. I was genuinely shocked at just how many guns are on offer here. Theres attachments too, which mean you can build up a specific loadout while playing. Its another example of how much more there is to choose from in B4B, which should go a long way in keeping players coming back.

Back 4 Blood. Credit: Turtle Rock Studios

From what is shown off in the beta, its clear that the surprising player choice in weapons, characters and cards is more of a mission statement than a proof of concept. What Back 4 Bloods longevity will ultimately hinge upon is how the remaining Acts and updates leverage deck-building and character builds. From what Ive played, this seems to be where the real potential is for bringing players back in after theyve cleared through the main storyline.

Things are definitely promising, and I am at least relieved that theres more to Back 4 Blood than meets the eye. Well have to wait and see whether the more modern touches included in the beta can turn Back 4 Blood from a fleeting co-op experience into a staple in the multiplayer space.

Back 4 Blood launches on October 12 for PC, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PS5, and PS4, with the PC open beta launching on August 12. Back 4 Blood is expected to be available through Xbox Game Pass at launch.

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Back 4 Bloods emphasis on player choice could be the key to increasing its longevity - NME

They performed a prospective cohort study - this involves following over time groups of individuals who are alike in many ways but differ by a certain characteristic (for example, female nurses who smoke and those who do not smoke) and compares them for a particular outcome (such as lung cancer).

The researchers performed this study on The Nurses' Health Study (one of the largest investigations into the risk factors for major chronic diseases in women) and the Health Professionals Follow-Up Study (a study evaluating a series of hypotheses about mens health relating nutritional factors to the incidence of serious illnesses).

Five lifestyle factors were strongly associated with greater life expectancy: never smoking, body mass index (BMI) of 18.5-24.9, moderate to vigorous physical activity, moderate alcohol intake, and a higher diet quality score.

BMI is a measure of whether you're a healthy weight for your height.

READ MORE:How to live longer: Expert divulges five tips to extend longevity by more than a decade

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How to live longer: Five habits linked to greater life expectancy that's 'free' of cancer - Express

LAFAYETTE, Calif., Aug. 13, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Mary Furlong & Associates (MFA) announces its annual $10,000 Business Plan Competition winner, Dr. Sandra Saldana,CEO of Alva Health.

This competition has been a part of the What's Next Longevity Venture Summit for the past 18 years. This year more than 40 applicants submitted their business plans for the opportunity to win the prize money and pitch at the Thrive Center. These applicants consisted of startups with solutions to address health and well-being in the areas of telehealth, telefitness, and mental health.

Alva Health focuses on real-time stroke detection that is wearable for older Americans living with high stroke risk. According to the CDC, more than 795,000 people in the U.S. have a stroke each year, with more frequent occurrences among older adults. Stroke can lead to disabilities and immobilities and is known as one of the leading causes of death for Americans. Alva Health supports older adults in maintaining their ability to live independently by bringing peace of mind to them and their families through timely stroke detection. You can learn more on their website https://www.alva-health.com.

Business Plan Competition judges came from a variety of backgrounds and brought different perspectives. One of them, Christine Brocato from CommonSpirit Health, shared, "I've been attending the What's Next Longevity Conference for several years. The Business Plan competition is my favorite part of the conference. As a judge, I'm thrilled for this year's winner, Alva Health. Stroke prevention has been a public health focus for decades but we have lacked the technology and innovation to really make an impact at scale. I think what Sandra and her team is developing has the potential to truly make an impact in stroke prevention across the country."

To learn more about ideas and trends in the longevity market you can register for our What's Next Longevity Venture Summit, which is available on-demand through August 31. Register now and save 50% off with the discount code post50.

For more Information on the Venture Summit visit http://www.boomerventuresummit.com.

For more information regarding stroke awareness and prevention visit the American Stroke Association at http://www.stroke.org.

The What's Next Longevity Venture Summit top event sponsors include: AARP Innovation Labs, Home Instead Inc., Ageless Innovation, Nationwide, VitalTech, iN2L, LifeBio, CareLinx, Ziegler LinkAge, Thrive, Constant Companion, GetSetUp, BrioCare, Caregiving Club, and CABHI.

Contact:Maysen Folsom8054053370[emailprotected]

SOURCE Mary Furlong and Associates

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Mary Furlong and Associates Announces the $10,000 Business Plan Competition Winner From the 18th Annual What's Next Longevity Venture Summit -...

The Lox joined the radio show The Breakfast Club on Wednesday (Aug. 11) and shared more on their now-legendary Verzuzbattle against Dipset.

At Madison Square Garden, in front of a sold-out audience that included the likes of Fat Joe, Fabolous, and Carmelo Anthony, Jadakiss, Sheek Louch, and Styles P put on an iconic performance against their opponents that included trash talk, sharp vocal delivery, and group chemistry that was obvious to all.

You cant fake chemistry man, said Sheek.

The veteran rappers discussed how their long-running careers prepared them for battle. The Yonkers-bred crew, who performed completely live, taunted the Harlemites throughout the event for rapping over their vocals until Camron, Juelz Santana, and Jim Jones switched to instrumentals only.

TV tracks used to just have the hypes here and there. Now its the whole verse. A lot of artists dont know, and its not to shoot em down. If you got a craft and a skill, youre supposed to rehearse at it and know it, and you and the audience will feel better when you get that energy out, explained Styles P.

Jadakiss added, One thing about when youre trying to rhyme over the song being played, youre distorting the listeners ears. It sounds like noise after a while.

Johnny Nunez/WireImageWith decades in the game and entering another moment of high-visibility following the Verzuz showdown and an upcoming tour, The Lox also shared a message for other artists who may be on the downside of a roller-coaster career.

Thats from staying on the Ferris wheel since Bad Boy, started Styles. This is what being on that hamster wheel and that Ferris wheel is about. You aint gon always be the hottest, you aint gon always be on top, but if you stick to your skills, your craft, love your brotherhood, love what you stand for, you will always find a way to survive. Somebody always gon call you, youll always get a big song here and there, youll always get a big check here and there. It just makes senseits a culture thing. Every time you go back, any of our interviews we ever did with yall, we always tell yall we respect our peers, the younger, the older. We respect the craft.

The rappers also discussed various elements of hip-hop, including the flashy style of not only members of Dipset (namely Jim Jones who Styles P called corny for his chain display during Verzuz), but the culture in general.

We got all of that Dior, we got everything. Performing you dont want to be layered up, explained Jadakiss. You want to have gear, attire you can get busy in.

This is hip-hop, you know what Im saying? added Styles P. I wanted to keep it in our field and in our corner and people understandingI rock with new hip-hop and how it goes. I rock with braggadocious. As Kiss said, we do a lot of fly things. We got a lot of fly things. The main part is, I dont have to be flyer than you to be dope. I just want to be better than you at rhyming. I want to rhyme fight, be better than you and the people say Im doper than you. Hip-hop is a poor peoples thing. Besides the artist, think about the whole world. Who really upholds us and pushes us up? Its poor people. I kept that in mind too. Its some dude who cant afford the chain saying its corny. Fortunately, I can but Ima speak for that guy.

Watching the Verzuz battle led many to question how many new rappers will have the same fate as either Dipset or The Loxable to garner a crowd, create timeless records, and keep their careers thriving through generations. When asked about New York artists specifically, Styles P, Jadakiss, and Sheek offered up and agreed on a few artists they believe have what it takes. They named Dave East, Griselda, Nino Man, Tony Moxberg, and their own children. They also gave props to Lil Baby, Rapsody, Kendrick Lamar, and J. Cole.

Styles P concluded, I think hip-hop is in a healthy place.

The Lox also discussed more about the Verzuz battle, their upcoming tour, and their endeavors outside of hip-hop in the nearly hour-long conversation. Watch the interview below:

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The Lox Discuss Verzuz, Longevity, And Brotherhood On The Breakfast Club - Vibe

You might already be aware that a wide range of health problemslike arthritis and joint pain, cancer, Alzheimer's, diabetes, heart disease, and even acneare linked with inflammation. To fight the condition, a team of scientists who specialize in aging say there's one particular ingredient that could be key to your diet, while it also works within the gut to promote healthy organ function for the longterm.

When you think of tryptophan, you probably know it as the chemical that makes you tired after you eat Thanksgiving turkey. While conventional wisdom might suggest that's the case, tryptophan has other powerful effects on your body that are perhaps a little more desirable.

RELATED:The One Vitamin Doctors Are Urging Everyone To Take Right Now

That's according to Sadanand Fulzele, PhD, and Carlos Isales, MD (via SciTechDaily), researchers at the Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University. From their recent study with mice, the pair has discovered that a diet low in tryptophan may cause lower-than-necessary levels of gut bacteria that support immunity and lead to the production of chemicals that benefit the body. These include seratonin, which helps promote feelings of happiness, and melatonin, a hormone that supports sleep.

Isales added that the researchers believe tryptophan also "produces metabolites that affect every organ function." It's worth mentioning that a recent report suggested decreased organ function is a significant part of what causes declining health as we age. (See This Is The Exact Age Your Metabolism Starts Slowing, Says New Study.) With that in mind, the results of the current study may indicate that healthy tryptophan levels are beneficial to overall longevity.

Another discovery the researchers made was that lower levels of tryptophan in the mice's guts also correlated with an increase in types of bacteria that are associated with gut and overall body inflammation.

However, the two doctors say, this is not their recommendation to instantly turn up your turkey intake. "[..E]ven if you eat more tryptophan," Isales said, "you may not use it correctly." So, the team's research continues as they aim to identify a mix of acids and chemicals from foods that would truly be optimal for the body.

In the meantime, if you're simply curious which common foods do contain tryptophan, here are a few:

WebMD reports that whole cow's milk is a source of high tryptophan levels. Alternative sources suggest that other dairy products, like low-sugar yogurt, deliver tryptophan as well. (Not so into dairy these days? Find out how to get some of its advantages elsewhere in Popular Foods With More Calcium Than a Glass of Milk.)

Chicken and leafy greens, like watercress, are two foods high in tryptophan, according to the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine. (WebMD suggests dark-meat chicken has slightly more tryptophan than light-meat, but the opposite is true for turkey.)

RELATED:Secret Side Effects of Eating Rotisserie Chicken, Says Science

Healthline says eggs can help boost the body's tryptophan levels, but you need the yolks for the best boost.

(Certain eggs also support your immunity by delivering big on Vitamin Dread up on One Major Effect of Eating Free-Range Eggs, Says Science.)

In particular, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, and peanuts are more plant-based sources of tryptophan.

RELATED:One Major Effect of Eating Cashews, Says Science

One cup of cooked oatmeal is said to deliver approximately 150 milligrams of tryptophan. That's about one-fifth of what you get from milk and around one-third of what turkey provides but nice to know that the morning oats you love yield such big benefits. (Find even more of them in Secret Effects of Eating Oatmeal, Says Science.)

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The #1 Best Food to Reduce Inflammation and Slow Aging, Experts Say - Eat This Not That - Eat This, Not That