Gene found that rewinds heart age - Shareables Hope & Optimism #18

This week: rewinding heart age, steering lightning, and saving seal pups [View this email in your browser]( Shareables Hope & Optimism # 18 Welcome back to Hope & Optimism, a weekly newsletter that reminds us to look at life's big pictures and remain optimistic in the full potential of humans. We've read up on some pretty incredible developments this week. Stopping and/or reversing the heart's aging has got to take the cake, though. I've always though that Millennials may be the first generation to fully benefit from aging biotechnology. I've also been called insane and a dreamer. See for yourself below. If it's your first time reading or a friend sent this to you, you can [subscribe here](. This Week's Updates: - Quote: Being a pessimist or optimist - Optimistic Updates: - Scientists discover gene that rewinds heart age by 10 years - Researchers steer lightning bolts with lasers for the first time - Endangered seal pup populations recovering Quote of the Week: “Don't ever become a pessimist... a pessimist is correct oftener than an optimist, but an optimist has more fun, and neither can stop the march of events.” - Robert A. Heinlein If it's all the same, why not have more fun and live a little? Optimistic Updates [:newspaper:] Image courtesy of Jesse Orrico / Unsplash [Scientists discover anti-aging gene that rewinds heart age by 10 years]( Scientists from the University of Bristol and MultiMedica Group in Italy have uncovered a unique gene in centenarians that keeps their hearts youthful, shielding them from age-related heart diseases like heart failure. This anti-aging gene was found in the 'blue zones' of our planet - regions where people are speculated to live longer and healthier lives than average. Blue zone hot spots include Okinawa, Japan; Sardinia, Italy; Nicoya, Costa Rica; Icaria, Greece; and Loma Linda, California, USA. It's observed that individuals in these zones live up to 100 years or more and are less prone to cardiovascular illnesses. Professor Paolo Madeddu's team at Bristol experimented on mice and discovered that a single administration of the mutant anti-aging gene stopped the decay of heart function of middle-aged mice. On older mice, it even managed to rewind the heart's biological clock by the equivalent of 10 human years! In Italy, a 3-year study was also performed on test tube human cells that came from elderly patients with severe heart problems. "The cells of the elderly patients, in particular those that support the construction of new blood vessels, called 'pericytes,' were found to be less performing and more aged. By adding the longevity gene/protein to the test tube, we observed a process of cardiac rejuvenation: the cardiac cells of elderly heart failure patients have resumed functioning properly, proving to be more efficient in building new blood vessels," Monica Cattaneo, a researcher of the MultiMedica Group. It's not a surprise that centenarians can pass these healthy genes to their offspring, but the study proves out the surprising capability to transfer these genes to those unrelated by blood. The researchers believe their results may "fuel a new wave of treatments inspired by the genetics of centenarians." [(Click here to read the full story)]( Image courtesy of Leon Contreras / Unsplash [Researchers steer lightning bolts with lasers for the first time]( Scientists have made history by successfully steering lightning bolts with lasers for the first time in real-world conditions. By firing laser pulses at thunderclouds over several months, they demonstrated the ability of this new technology to protect airports, launchpads, and tall buildings more effectively than the metal rods that are currently utilized. According to physicist Aurélien Houard from École Polytechnique in Palaiseau, metal rods can only protect a few tens of meters at best whereas laser technology extends the area of protection to a few hundred meters. Lightning is a powerful and destructive phenomenon, sparking energy over several miles of sky. At temperatures five times hotter than the sun's surface with billions of occurrences a year, lightning can be very catastrophic both in lives lost as well as damaged property. For decades, protection existed merely in the form of traditional lightning rods which have been around since Benjamin Franklin's kite experiment in 1752. By bringing their laser technology to one of the most highly-struck areas in Europe, the Säntis mountain where a 124m telecoms tower stands, scientists were able to successfully redirect four instances of lightning between July and September last year. Using high-speed cameras stationed several kilometers away from the strike zone, researchers successfully recorded one strike on July 21st that followed their laser path for approximately 50 meters. What's the science behind it? The laser pulses create filaments of ionized air molecules in the sky that act as an alternative path for electrical discharge from lighting to flow along. These "filaments" last only milliseconds and leave behind channels of low-density air, providing a guided route for electricity. Unfortunately, the lasers can pose a risk to the eyes of overhead pilots and air traffic is typically suspended during experiments. Despite this challenge, scientists remain optimistic about its potential uses as launchpads and airports generally have designated no-fly areas where the technology can be deployed. Houard believes that with even more powerful lasers, it may be possible to trigger lightning before it becomes a threat. “You avoid it going somewhere else where you cannot control it," he says. Although it's significantly more expensive to create and deploy this laser technology, the safety implications cannot be overlooked. Who knows, soon we may be able to capture lightning in a bottle! [(Click here to read the full story)]( Image courtesy of Juha Metso / AOP [Endangered seal pup populations recovering]( We often discuss endangered species but it's hard for us to visualize just how endangered some of these animals are. The fact that conservation efforts that restore populations by only a few dozen are considered great progress should help give perspective on the severity of these issues. The Saimaa ringed seal population is seeing such a recovery thanks to dedicated conservation work from Finland's regional economic development ELY-centres. 90 new pups, an impressive new record, were born in 2021. 2022 did similarly well, with 92 births at the time of reporting. The positive results are attributed to tighter fishing restrictions in their lake region habitat, providing proof that conservation efforts can have powerful outcomes. The Saimaa ringed seal population is increasing at a steady rate. Since 2015, they've recovered by roughly 5.6 percent each year with less than two deaths in fishing nets, down from an average of 7 deaths in nets from 2012 to 2017. Millions tune in to annual live streams which showcase these seals thriving in their natural habitat, drawing attention and building awareness. [(Click here to read the full story)]( If you enjoyed today's newsletter, share it with someone by clicking one of the buttons below, or simply forward the email directly! [Share]( [Share]( [Tweet]( [Tweet]( [Forward]( [Forward]( Thanks for reading! [:heart:][:wave:] See you in a few days for another happy start to the week! [Facebook]( [Instagram]( [About Shareably Media]( [Email](mailto:newsletter@shareably.net) Have feedback? Email us at newsletter@shareably.net! Did a friend forward this to you? [Subscribe here]( Want to discuss sponsorship or advertising? Reach out using [this form here](. Copyright © 2023 Shareably Media, LLC, All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you opted in at one of our websites. Please see www.shareably.net/about for a full list of our brands Our mailing address is: Shareably Media, LLC 12705 Bluff Creek DriveLos Angeles, CA 90094 [Add us to your address book]( Want to change how you receive these emails? You can [update your preferences]( or [unsubscribe from this list](.