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Alejandro Bataller: life on the longevity frontier – Financial Times

Posted: April 19, 2024 at 2:45 am

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Roula Khalaf, Editor of the FT, selects her favourite stories in this weekly newsletter.

SHA Wellness Clinic is in the spotlight in the third talk of the Brains of Wellbeing + Beauty series, where we sit down with the scientists, entrepreneurs, innovators and disrupters powering the $5.6tn wellness industry.

The origins of this pioneering integrative health clinic began as a crazy and niche idea, says the companys vice-president Alejandro Bataller of his fathers decision to enter the wellness space by way of real estate 15 years ago. Here he speaks with HTSI editor Jo Ellison about Shas roots in Alicante, Spain, scaling up with new openings in Mexico and Abu Dhabi, and life on the longevity frontier. Can 100 be the new 80?

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Alejandro Bataller: life on the longevity frontier - Financial Times

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Boosted immunity: Study reveals longevity of COVID-19 booster shots – News-Medical.Net

Posted: April 19, 2024 at 2:45 am

Thinking about getting a spring-time booster shot?A new studycoming out of York University's Centre for Disease Modelling in the Faculty of Science shows that immunity after a COVID-19 booster lasts much longer than the primary series alone. These findings are among other, sometimes "unintuitive," revelations of how factors like age, sex and comorbidities do and don't affect immune response.

The study's authorsYork Post Doctoral researchers Chapin Korosec and David Dick, Applied Mathematics Professor Iain Moyles and Professor James Watmough with the University of New Brunswickused health data submitted to the Covid Immunity Task-Force project for more than 150 individuals who received either Pfizer-BioNTechor Moderna COVID-19 vaccines to look at how immunity holds up over time.

Our approach as mathematicians is to create mathematical models of the immune system, and then calibrate those models to health care data in order to advance our understanding of the human immune system. It was really interesting to see the SARS-CoV-2 booster dose have such a huge increase in protective longevity capacity as compared to the primary series of two doses."

Chapin Korosec, study's lead author

Published today in the journalScientific Reports, the study used Canadian vaccine data collected from individuals living in long-term care, as well as frontline health-care workers working in long-term care and hospitals.

Looking at the group as a whole, the median length for the antibody half-life immune response was 63 days for the primary series, and increased to 115 days for those who went on to receive their boosters, a statistically significant finding, says Korosec.

It is well-established that age can affect how adept the body is at priming an immune response after vaccines, so much so that advanced age is considered a comorbidity itself, says Korosec.

"Chronological age is your time since birth. But you also have an immunological age, which is correlated to your chronological age, and is related to how your body loses its ability to prime against invading pathogens and produce antibodies as time marches on," explains Korosec. "What's convoluted is that as we age chronologically, the probability that we accrue diseases that can affect the immune system in unintuitive ways also increases."

Looking into this aspect, the researchers found that older adults did have a less long-lasting immune response, but once they controlled for other comorbidities such as hypertension, lung disease and cancer, age no longer had as significant of an influence on the immune response.

Other interesting findings include a small, but statistically significant immune response for males versus females, and people with asthma having a longer lasting immune response more durable, in fact, than those with hybrid immunity from vaccines and contracting COVID-19.

"We found that some outcomes were surprising and worth further study, but of course we're not advocating any particular comorbidity is beneficial," says Dick. "We don't have any information from this study on how asthma would affect the severity of the COVID-19 illness, for example."

Outside of the strict findings, the researchers also say the study points to the importance of interdisciplinary research and are excited about the possibilities for collaboration, with plans to open York's medical school in 2028.

"While we're all from math and stats departments, the data comes from clinicians who went through medical school and are now professors studying immunology, and I think this study shows how people with different skill sets can come together and do really interesting science," says Korosec.

Adds Moyles: "We have a really top applied math program at York, and now the university has announced a medical school. Imagine these clinicians were at York and we had access to the data on the ground floor. This would cut the research timeline by years and has huge potential for future interdisciplinary research at the university."

Source:

Journal reference:

Korosec, C. S., et al. (2024). SARS-CoV-2 booster vaccine dose significantly extends humoral immune response half-life beyond the primary series.Scientific Reports. doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-58811-3

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Boosted immunity: Study reveals longevity of COVID-19 booster shots - News-Medical.Net

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Americans favor quality over quantity in pursuit of longevity – PR Newswire

Posted: April 19, 2024 at 2:45 am

According to a new survey from Medtronic and Morning Consult, nearly two-thirds of U.S. adults say they'd opt for a shorter, healthier life than a longer one with health issues

DUBLIN, April 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Americans overwhelmingly say that when they think about longevity, it's more than just living longerit's about living their healthiest, best lives. While most want to live to 90well past the averageU.S. life expectancyof 77.5 yearsnearly two-thirds (66%) would choose a shorter, healthier life over a longer one with health issues. These findings, from a survey conducted by global healthcare technology leader Medtronic with Morning Consult, highlight a gap between U.S. adults' desire to live healthier years and the opportunity for more people to improve their quality of life through healthcare technology.

With almost limitless health-related information at our fingertips and new healthcare innovations emerging daily, the American dream of extending both our lifespan and quality of life seems possible. However, only 39% of U.S. adults say they are taking preventative health measures such as screenings and regular medical check-ups, and less than a third (29%) are discussing longevity with their doctor. Only about half are focused on eating healthy (53%) and exercising (51%), despite diet and physicalinactivity being leading contributors to chronic disease. And while 80% of Americans believe healthcare technology can help them live longer and healthier, only 18% are taking advantage of it.

"Health conditions can impact anyone at any age, so it's critical that we expand treatment options while also continuing to focus on prevention, so people can prioritize what's most important to them," said Dr. Laura Mauri, chief scientific, medical and regulatory officer at Medtronic. "The role of technology in helping people live longer and better lives is accelerating. It's enabling more personalized treatments, quicker recoveries and earlier diagnosis. What's more, every day researchers are discovering new technologies that continue to improve longevity and quality of life."

Perhaps the greatest power of technology is the range of optionsand hopeit can give people regardless of their current health status. Already, healthcare technology is helping catch cancer before it progresses, treat pain with less oral medication and reduce the burden from chronic diseases.

"In my 19 years as a diabetic, I feel more supported by my diabetes technology than I ever have before," said Cameron Moore, who uses a Medtronic insulin pump with meal detection technology. "It means I worry less about complications so I can focus on the here and now of life with my family and enjoy each day to the fullest."

There are steps people can take today to take charge of their health and live their best life. Follow the acronym T.E.C.H.:

For more information on how Medtronic is advancing healthcare through technology and helping people live longer and healthier, visit Medtronic.com.

About the Consumer Perceptions of Longevity SurveyThe survey was conducted by decision intelligence company Morning Consult among a nationally representative sample of 2,200 adults in the U.S. from February 15-20, 2024, with an unweighted margin of error of +/- 2 percentage points.

About MedtronicBold thinking. Bolder actions. We are Medtronic. Medtronic plc, headquartered in Dublin, Ireland, is the leading global healthcare technology company that boldly attacks the most challenging health problems facing humanity by searching out and finding solutions. Our Mission to alleviate pain, restore health, and extend life unites a global team of 95,000+ passionate people across more than 150 countries. Our technologies and therapies treat 70 health conditions and include cardiac devices, surgical robotics, insulin pumps, surgical tools, patient monitoring systems, and more. Powered by our diverse knowledge, insatiable curiosity, and desire to help all those who need it, we deliver innovative technologies that transform the lives oftwo people every second, every hour, every day. Expect more from us as we empower insight-driven care, experiences that put people first, and better outcomes for our world. In everything we do, we are engineering the extraordinary. For more information on Medtronic (NYSE:MDT), visit http://www.Medtronic.comand follow Medtronic on LinkedIn.

Any forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties such as those described in Medtronic's periodic reports on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Actual results may differ materially from anticipated results.

Contacts:

ErikaWinkels

RyanWeispfenning

Public Relations

Investor Relations

+1-763-526-8472

+1-763-505-4626

SOURCE Medtronic plc

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Americans favor quality over quantity in pursuit of longevity - PR Newswire

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Unlocking the secrets to longevity and wellness – CGTN

Posted: April 19, 2024 at 2:45 am

01:08

"You cannot just focus on treating disease when they become a global problem, but try to prevent them and preventing people from becoming patients," Camillo Ricordi, director emeritus at the Diabetes Research Institute of the University of Miami, told CGTN in an interview.

He pointed out that our priority should be pursuing a healthy lifespan rather than simply aiming for longevity or lifespan, and noted that even small steps like regular exercise can feasibly promote a healthy lifespan.

For more tips on promoting a healthy lifespan, stay tuned for the full interview.

(Cover image designed by Liang Qian; video edited by Yu Rong)

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Unlocking the secrets to longevity and wellness - CGTN

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How Helldivers 2 Going into Cruise Control Can Benefit Its Longevity – GameRant

Posted: April 19, 2024 at 2:45 am

Highlights

Released in March 2015, the first Helldivers was a top-down co-op shooter that earned some impressive critical scores, landing it at an 83 on Metacritic. With a satirical Sci-Fi plot in a similar vein to Starship Troopers, some chaotically satisfying co-op gameplay, and an endless amount of replayability, the first Helldivers was well-deserving of its success. Nevertheless, its recently released sequel, Helldivers 2, blows it out of the water.

Taking its predecessor's general gameplay structure and narrative backbone, Helldivers 2 gives the series a modernized third-person shooter overhaul, along with the introduction of a live-service model. Still one of the most controversial elements of modern gaming, the live-service model has often resulted in the release of half-baked cash-grabs that receive minimal support after launch, but at the same time it's also produced some of the most successful, long-running games of all time. Thankfully, Helldivers 2 looks like it's on track to be part of the latter camp.

It's all too often that a live-service game will fail to meet expectations. Whether it's an unfinished story, a lack of compelling progression systems, a lack of post-launch support, or a mix of them all, many live-service games are doomed to fail from the get-go, and with the amount of effort that's required to keep them going for the long haul, many end up being shut down mere months after their initial release. But every so often, a live-service game comes out and proves that the model can not only work, but actually benefits the type of story and gameplay that the developer is going for. Helldivers 2 is the perfect example of that.

From the get-go, Helldivers 2 offered an impressive amount of content. Helldivers 2 came packaged with two major enemy factions, each coming with their own set of unique unit types and requiring different strategies to take down. Helldivers 2 also offers a robust set of progression systems, from unlockable weapons to Strategems to Ship Modules, the vast majority of which have a substantial purpose during gameplay, and feel genuinely satisfying to unlock.

But having enough content on day one is just the start for a live-service game. Thanks to games like Fortnite and Call of Duty: Warzone, players now expect any live-service game to receive frequent updates and content drops, and Helldivers 2 seems to be knocking it out of the park in this regard. In the last few months since launch, Helldivers 2 has added new Strategems, weapons, Warbonds, and enemy types on a fairly regular basis, all of which have been successful in convincing players to stick around. On top of this, Helldivers 2's general premise of an ever-evolving galactic war that sees players fight to control planets is a masterful integration of the live-service model, encouraging players to keep returning day after day to help conquer the galaxy.

Helldivers 2 seems to be thriving on its current live-service model, with a recent Bloomberg report suggesting that the game has sold at least 8 million copies so far. As things stand, the Helldivers 2 player-base seems more than satisfied with the amount of content currently in the game, and the pace at which new content is being added, meaning that there might not be a need for any kind of major expansion anytime soon.

With the Automatons fighting desperately to take back their home planet, rumors have started circulating that a new enemy faction, the Illuminate, could be introduced very soon, but it might be better if Helldivers 2 developer Arrowhead holds off on that. Rather than release a new faction or any kind of major expansion imminently, while players are still satisfied with the current pace of content, Helldivers 2 should save that big content drop for when it's really needed, when the initial hype surrounding the game eventually starts to die down.

Helldivers 2 is a third-person cooperative shooter developed by Arrowhead Games Studios for the PC and PlayStation 5 where players take control of a Helldiver set to protect the citizens of Super Earth by traveling to hostile alien worlds and destroying threats. Players undergo missions, defeat enemies, and use special items called Stratagems to help turn the tide of battle in this punishing release.

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How Helldivers 2 Going into Cruise Control Can Benefit Its Longevity - GameRant

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Alcohol, relationships, and longevity: Couples with similar drinking habits tend to live longer – PsyPost

Posted: April 19, 2024 at 2:45 am

Recent research has found an intriguing connection between the drinking habits of couples and longevity. The study, published in The Gerontologist, suggests that couples with similar alcohol consumption habits tend to live longer compared to couples with discordant drinking behaviors, where one drinks and the other does not.

However, its important to note that this finding is not an endorsement for increased alcohol consumption, but rather highlights the complex interactions between marital behaviors and health outcomes.

Past studies have extensively explored how the drinking behaviors of couples affect their marital satisfaction, often showing that similar drinking habits can lead to better relationship outcomes, such as reduced conflict and lower divorce rates. However, the implications of these drinking patterns on physical health have remained less understood.

Motivated by a theory known as the drinking partnership, which suggests that couples with aligned drinking habits experience better marital outcomes, Kira Birditt and her team at the University of Michigan aimed to investigate whether these patterns also correlate with increased longevity.

The study utilized data from the Health and Retirement Study, a nationally representative survey of U.S. adults aged 50 and older. The researchers specifically focused on married or cohabiting couples within the HRS dataset. The sample included 4,656 couples, totaling 9,312 individuals, who had participated in at least three waves of the survey from 1996 to 2016.

The primary measure of interest was the couples drinking status, specifically whether each partner had consumed any alcoholic beverages within the last three months. This timeframe provided a recent snapshot of drinking behaviors without delving into the quantity or frequency of alcohol consumption, broadly categorizing participants into drinkers and non-drinkers. The researchers then classified the couples based on their concordance in drinking behaviors: both drinking, both abstaining, or discordant if one drank and the other did not.

To assess the impact of these drinking patterns on longevity, the study analyzed survival rates of the individuals within these couples up until 2016. The analysis controlled for a variety of potential confounders that could influence the outcomes, such as age, gender, socioeconomic status, and underlying health conditions.

The researchers found that couples with concordant drinking behaviorswhere both partners either drank or abstained from alcoholexhibited a higher survival rate compared to couples where drinking patterns were discordant. Interestingly, this effect was most pronounced in couples where both partners drank as opposed to those where both abstained, suggesting that the social and possibly relational aspects of drinking together might play a role in this observed benefit.

Couples in which one partner drank and the other did not showed the least favorable survival outcomes. This pattern suggests that beyond the physiological impacts of alcohol itself, the compatibility of lifestyles and the harmony within the relationship regarding drinking might significantly influence health outcomes. These results align with previous research indicating that marital discord or lack of alignment in behaviors and values can have negative health implications.

The purpose of this study was to look at alcohol use in couples in the Health and Retirement Study and the implications for mortality, Birditt said. And we found, interestingly, that couples in which both indicated drinking alcohol in the last three months lived longer than the other couples that either both indicated not drinking or had discordant drinking patterns in which one drank and the other did not.

The researchers cautioned against interpreting these findings simplistically as endorsing alcohol consumption for longer life. Instead, they highlighted that the results might reflect broader dynamics of relationship quality and compatibility. For instance, couples who drink together may engage in more shared activities or have higher relationship satisfaction, which in turn could positively affect their health.

Future research is needed to explore these relationships further, particularly focusing on the quality of interactions and shared activities during drinking sessions, as well as the impact of drinking habits on daily marital quality and physical health.

Birditt plans to extend this research by examining the daily lives of concordant drinking couples through more detailed tracking methods, such as ecological momentary assessment, to better understand the nuances of how shared drinking relates to relationship satisfaction and health outcomes.

We dont know why both partners drinking is associated with better survival. I think using the other techniques that we use in our studies in terms of the daily experiences and ecological momentary assessment questionnaires could really get at that to understand, for example, focusing on concordant drinking couples, she said. What are their daily lives like? Are they drinking together? What are they doing when they are drinking?

There is also little information about the daily interpersonal processes that account for these links. Future research should assess the implications of couple drinking patterns for daily marital quality, and daily physical health outcomes.

The study, Alcohol Use and Mortality Among Older Couples in the United States: Evidence of Individual and Partner Effects, was authored by Kira S. Birditt, Angela Turkelson, Courtney A. Polenick, James A. Cranford, Jennifer A Smith, Erin B. Ware, and Frederic C. Blow.

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Alcohol, relationships, and longevity: Couples with similar drinking habits tend to live longer - PsyPost

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