Monthly Archives: September 2012

Book reveals health hazards from coal By ELLEN GOLDBAUM Published: September 27, 2012

Coal kills. Thats the message of The Silent Epidemic: Coal and the Hidden Threat to Health by Alan H. Lockwood, UB emeritus professor of neurology.

His book examines how human health is harmed by the burning of coal, which supplies nearly half of the energy in the United States and a far greater percentage in industrializing countries, such as China, India and Brazil.

While Lockwood says its widely accepted that lifestyle choices are key determinants of health and longevity, air pollution is underappreciated as a factor behind causes of death in the U.S.

There are these environmental factors that you dont have as much control over that are important contributors to mortality and morbidity, he explains. Coal is a major contributing factor to the top four causes of death in the U.S.cancer, heart disease, respiratory disease and strokebut I think people are completely unaware that pollution from coal is responsible for huge numbers of deaths.

The book examines how coal is a factor in each of these diseases. Additional chapters examine the science, politics and economics of coal burning and global warming.

Beyond the top four causes of death, Lockwood adds, new scientific studies are beginning to show that coal burning also may play a role in neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimers disease and Parkinsons disease.

Lockwood, a board member with Physicians for Social Responsibility, became interested in how coal affects human health while writing a white paper on the subject for the organization. All profits from the book will be donated to Physicians for Social Responsibility.

Thats when it really began to strike home with me that coal was a major source of air pollution damaging the health of Americans, he says. The worst health effects of coal are felt by residents of states in the Northeastern U.S., east of the Mississippi, where most coal is burned and where the power plants are the oldest.

Coal burning causes disease through two main mechanisms, Lockwood explains: the inflammatory response that inhaled particulate matter triggers in the body and the penetration into the brain of inhaled particulate matter.

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Need-to-know news and views for UB faculty and staff

Public release date: 20-Sep-2012 [ | E-mail | Share ]

Contact: Todd Kluss tkluss@geron.org 202-587-2839 The Gerontological Society of America

The Gerontological Society of America (GSA) invites all journalists to attend its 65th Annual Scientific Meeting the country's largest interdisciplinary conference in the field of aging from November 14 to 18 in San Diego. Media representatives may register free of charge.

An estimated 4,000 professionals are expected to attend the five-day gathering at the San Diego Convention Center. The theme for 2012 is "Charting New Frontiers in Aging" and the program schedule contains more than 500 scientific sessions featuring research presented for the first time. Noteworthy meeting highlights include:

The complimentary media registration allows access to all scientific sessions and the Exhibit Hall. Badges and printed program materials can be picked up in the Press Room, which will be located in Room 5A at the Convention Center.

Registration information is available at http://www.geron.org/press. GSA has locked in special conference rates at three nearby hotels, which will be available until October 19.

We look forward to seeing you in San Diego!

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The Gerontological Society of America (GSA) is the nation's oldest and largest interdisciplinary organization devoted to research, education, and practice in the field of aging. The principal mission of the Society and its 5,400+ members is to advance the study of aging and disseminate information among scientists, decision makers, and the general public. GSA's structure also includes a policy institute, the National Academy on an Aging Society, and an educational branch, the Association for Gerontology in Higher Education.

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Join GSA in San Diego for the Nation's Premier Aging Conference!

Newswise BOSTON September 16, 2012 As part of their ongoing research investigating the biology of aging, the greatest risk factor for type 2 diabetes and other serious diseases, scientists at Joslin Diabetes Center have identified a new factor microRNA processing in fat tissue which plays a major role in aging and stress resistance. This finding may lead to the development of treatments that increase stress resistance and longevity and improve metabolism. The findings appear in the September 5 online edition of Cell Metabolism.

Over the past several years, it has become clear that fat cells (adipocytes) are more than just repositories to store fat. Indeed, fat cells secrete a number of substances that actively influence metabolism and systemic inflammation. Previous studies have found that reducing fat mass by caloric restriction (CR) or surgical or genetic means can promote longevity and stress resistance in species from yeast to primates. However, little is known about how CR and fat reduction produce these beneficial effects. This study investigated one type of molecular mediator change in microRNAs (miRNAs) and the processing enzymes required to make them that is influenced by aging and reversed by caloric restriction. miRNAs are involved in the formation of mature RNA.

Based on studies conducted using human cells, mice and C. elegans (a microscopic worm used as a model organism for aging studies), the researchers demonstrated that levels of multiple miRNAs, decrease in fat tissue (adipose) with age in all three species. This is due to a decrease in the critical enzyme required from converted pre-miRNAs to mature miRNAs, Dicer. In the human study, which compared the miRNA levels in preadipocytes (fat cell precusors) of young, middle-aged and older people, people aged 70 and older had the lowest miRNA levels. The fact that this change occurs in humans, mice and worms points to its significance as a general and important process, says lead author C. Ronald Kahn, MD, Chief Academic Officer at Joslin Diabetes Center and the Mary K. Iacocca Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School.

Caloric restriction, which has been shown to prolong lifespan and improve stress resistance in both mice and worms, prevents this decline of Dicer, and in the case of the mice, restore miRNAs to levels observed in young mice. Conversely, exposure of adipocytes to major stressors associated with aging and metabolic diseases, including toxic agents, Dicer levels decreased. Mice and worms engineered to have decreased Dicer expression in fat showed increased sensitivity to stress, a sign of premature aging. By contrast, worms engineered to overexpress Dicer in the intestine (the adipose tissue equivalent in worms) had greater stress resistance and lived longer.

Overall, these studies showed that regulation of miRNA processing in adipose-related tissues plays an important role in longevity and an organisms ability to respond to age-related and environmental stress. This study points to a completely new mechanism by which fat might affect lifespan and is the first time that anyone has looked at fat and miRNAs as factors in longevity, according to co-author T. Keith Blackwell, MD, PhD, co-head of Joslin's Section on Islet Cell and Regenerative Biology and Professor of Pathology at Harvard Medical School.

Based on this study, Blackwell suggests that finding ways to improve miRNA processing to keep miRNA levels up during aging might have a role in protecting against the stresses of everyday life and the development of age- and stress-related disease.

Dr. Kahn and the study investigators are currently working on ways to genetically control Dicer levels in the fat tissues of mice, to create mouse models that are more or less resistant to stress. We would love to find drugs that would mimic this genetic manipulation to produce a beneficial effect, says Dr. Kahn. If we can better understand the biology of aging, we might also understand how age impacts diabetes, says Kahn.

Study co-authors include Marcelo A. Mori, Prashant Raghavan, Jeremie Boucher, Stacey Robida-Stubbs, Yazmin Macotela, Steven J. Russell, and T. Keith Blackwell of Joslin; and James L. Kirkland and Thomas Thomou of the Mayo Clinic.

About Joslin Diabetes Center

Joslin Diabetes Center, located in Boston, Massachusetts, is the world's largest diabetes research and clinical care organization. Joslin is dedicated to ensuring that people with diabetes live long, healthy lives and offers real hope and progress toward diabetes prevention and a cure. Joslin is an independent, nonprofit institution affiliated with Harvard Medical School.

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Joslin Scientists Identify Molecular Process in Fat Cells That Influences Stress and Longevity

ScienceDaily (Sep. 26, 2012) As part of their ongoing research investigating the biology of aging, the greatest risk factor for type 2 diabetes and other serious diseases, scientists at Joslin Diabetes Center have identified a new factor -- microRNA processing in fat tissue -- which plays a major role in aging and stress resistance. This finding may lead to the development of treatments that increase stress resistance and longevity and improve metabolism.

The findings appear in the Sept. 5 online edition of Cell Metabolism.

Over the past several years, it has become clear that fat cells (adipocytes) are more than just repositories to store fat. Indeed, fat cells secrete a number of substances that actively influence metabolism and systemic inflammation. Previous studies have found that reducing fat mass by caloric restriction (CR) or surgical or genetic means can promote longevity and stress resistance in species from yeast to primates. However, little is known about how CR and fat reduction produce these beneficial effects. This study investigated one type of molecular mediator -- change in microRNAs (miRNAs) and the processing enzymes required to make them- that is influenced by aging and reversed by caloric restriction. miRNAs are involved in the formation of mature RNA.

Based on studies conducted using human cells, mice and C. elegans (a microscopic worm used as a model organism for aging studies), the researchers demonstrated that levels of multiple miRNAs, decrease in fat tissue (adipose) with age in all three species. This is due to a decrease in the critical enzyme required from converted pre-miRNAs to mature miRNAs, Dicer. In the human study, which compared the miRNA levels in preadipocytes (fat cell precusors) of young, middle-aged and older people, people aged 70 and older had the lowest miRNA levels. "The fact that this change occurs in humans, mice and worms points to its significance as a general and important process," says lead author C. Ronald Kahn, MD, Chief Academic Officer at Joslin Diabetes Center and the Mary K. Iacocca Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School.

Caloric restriction, which has been shown to prolong lifespan and improve stress resistance in both mice and worms, prevents this decline of Dicer, and in the case of the mice, restore miRNAs to levels observed in young mice. Conversely, exposure of adipocytes to major stressors associated with aging and metabolic diseases, including toxic agents, Dicer levels decreased. Mice and worms engineered to have decreased Dicer expression in fat showed increased sensitivity to stress, a sign of premature aging. By contrast, worms engineered to "overexpress" Dicer in the intestine (the adipose tissue equivalent in worms) had greater stress resistance and lived longer.

Overall, these studies showed that regulation of miRNA processing in adipose-related tissues plays an important role in longevity and an organism's ability to respond to age-related and environmental stress. "This study points to a completely new mechanism by which fat might affect lifespan and is the first time that anyone has looked at fat and miRNAs as factors in longevity," according to co-author T. Keith Blackwell, MD, PhD, co-head of Joslin's Section on Islet Cell and Regenerative Biology and Professor of Pathology at Harvard Medical School.

Based on this study, Blackwell suggests that "finding ways to improve miRNA processing to keep miRNA levels up during aging might have a role in protecting against the stresses of everyday life and the development of age- and stress-related disease."

Dr. Kahn and the study investigators are currently working on ways to genetically control Dicer levels in the fat tissues of mice, to create mouse models that are more or less resistant to stress. "We would love to find drugs that would mimic this genetic manipulation to produce a beneficial effect," says Dr. Kahn. "If we can better understand the biology of aging, we might also understand how age impacts diabetes," says Kahn.

Study co-authors include Marcelo A. Mori, Prashant Raghavan, Jeremie Boucher, Stacey Robida-Stubbs, Yazmin Macotela, Steven J. Russell, and T. Keith Blackwell of Joslin; and James L. Kirkland and Thomas Thomou of the Mayo Clinic.

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Molecular process in fat cells that influences stress and longevity identified

Alow-calorie diet can improve your overall health, immunity and metabolism. It may even help you squeeze into an outfit youve wanted to wear for years.

But, according to a recent study, reducing your caloric intake will not increase your life expectancy.

Nature recently published the results of a 23-year-long study conducted at the National Institute of Aging in Maryland. Researchers at the NIA theorized that specific, calorie-restricted diets might prolong life in rhesus monkeys. However, to researchers surprise, dieting rhesus monkeys did not live any longer than non-dieting subjects.

WHATS A CR DIET?

The NIA study,according to the report in Nature,analyzed two primary groups of monkeys: the first control group followed a normal, yet nutritionally balanced, diet. The second followed a calorie-restricted diet, commonly known as a CR diet, in whichcaloric intake dropped by 10 to 40 percent.

I think whats really important to recognize with full calorie restriction is were studying aging and the processes of aging, NIA researcher Julie Mattison said in a phone interview.

Were studying why everything goes bad over time, and its possible that CR affects a lot of these organs.

For years, it has been believed that CR diets prolong life and improve overall health and immunity, according to the CR Society website. CR diets were also thought to stall the onset of age and weight-related diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, arthritis and cancer.

Since the 1930s researchers have studied the benefits of CR diets in organisms such aslab rats, yeast, fruit flies and round worms. CR organisms in these studies, which often lived up to 30 to 50 percent longer than organisms with normal diets, prompted scientists to analyze the effects of CR diets in primates, including humans.

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Losing pounds won’t gain you longevity

Celebrating longevity: the shape of the future

The International Day of Older Persons next Monday (1 October) is a chance to consider the benefits our society gains from people living longer, says Senior Citizens Minister Jo Goodhew.

The day, which is dedicated to the celebration of older people throughout New Zealand and the rest of the world, will feature a wide range of events, including intergenerational activities and events focusing on positive ageing.

Nationally, the celebrations have already begun. There is a huge range of exciting things happening to recognise the valuable contribution older people make to our lives, our neighbourhoods, our workplaces and our communities said Mrs Goodhew.

This years international theme is Longevity: Shaping the Future. New Zealanders are living longer and healthier and it is important for individuals, employers, service providers and the Government to think about the implications and opportunities increased longevity brings. Planning is key take a minute or two to think about what you want your future to look like.

Our attitudes about ageing need to change because older New Zealanders are changing. Older Kiwis are a diverse group the majority are looking to keep active and enjoy life you only need to look at the number of older people still competing in sports events like New Zealands coast-to-coast. Older people keep volunteer organisations afloat and contribute to our communities in many ways.

By valuing and using the skills, knowledge and experience of older people, by caring for those who need it in a respectful manner, we will continue to build a great country to live in.

I encourage you to find out what is happening in your area and join me in celebrating older people. I will be attending events around the country from Christchurch to Whangarei during the week.

ends

Scoop Media

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Celebrating longevity: the shape of the future