Category Archives: Human Longevity

Dr. Irving Berkowitz, the son of Holocaust survivors, is a renowned scholar and lecturer. He is passionately engaged in issues and causes related to the Holocaust, antisemitism, human rights and social justice. I have heard Dr. Irving lecture on several occasions, and recently had the opportunity to interview him. This is Part One of a two part series.

I started our conversation by asking Dr. Irving why raising awareness of social injustice is such a passion of his.

My passion for social justice, equal protection, non-discrimination and equality of opportunity is rooted in the very proud, deeply observant, socially aware and tragic history of my Jewish family. I am the son of immigrants, survivors of one of the worst atrocities in human history, the Holocaust. Having lost my entire extended family in the largest and most infamous of all Nazi death camps, Auschwitz/Birkenau, for no other reason than being Jewish. From an early age I had a mission that was spiritual and educational, to actively lead, serve and become educated, so I could educate others about antisemitism, racism, hatred, and violence. Both of my parents were not only Holocaust survivors but, like 75% of all survivors they were the sole survivors of their entire families in the former Czechoslovakia. This very personal family tragedy and the cataclysmic fate of my tribe, the Jewish people, loomed large in my life and briskly animated me to learn all that I possibly could about my people, including Jewish history, theology, and culture. I forged an inexorable and uncompromising commitment to becoming a Holocaust scholar with a deep well of knowledge about this longest hatred of Jews throughout history. It was upon this foundation that my interest and activism evolved to encompass the broader issues of the human condition, (e.g. human rights, human diversity, human dignity, and human development).

Dr. Irving explained why some people continue to deny that antisemitism exists.

Jew hatred has roots that run centuries deep in the soil of history. Its intensity, longevity and universality may only be exceeded by its irrationality. From its provenance in the early days of Christendom, throughout the Middle Ages when Jews were persecuted, isolated and expelled from virtually every European country they inhabited, during the pervasive pogroms of the 18th and 19th centuries, to the annihilation of European Jewry far and wide in the Nazi era, Jews have been scapegoated, blamed, brutalized and murdered en masse for others misfortune. There seems to be nothing evil for which Jews cannot be blamed. Indeed, everything evil is Jewish and everything Jewish is evil. This is most evident in countless daily Anti-Zionist/Antisemitic websites and posts across all major social media platforms despite supposed community standards designed to monitor and restrict content that is false, hateful, racist and violence inducing.

Dr. Irving continued, The denial of antisemitism is nearly as outrageous as the denial of the Holocaust. It flies in the face of irrefutable evidence amassed by the Anti-Defamation League that antisemitism in America, especially violent hate crimes, is not only on the rise but has reached record levels in the last three years, suggesting that deniers simply deny the undeniable. Perhaps more disconcerting than denial is the fact that so many dismiss antisemitism as a serious social issue, unworthy of the kind of attention garnered by other forms of bigotry such as racism, Islamophobia, homophobia, etc. Perhaps it has become so ingrained in the fabric of American society that seeing and or hearing of omnipresent antisemitic incidents has become normalized. Either way, antisemitism in America, Europe and elsewhere is not a thing of the past, vanquished with the fall of the Third Reich. It may have taken a brief sabbatical after the war but remains a pernicious and persistent virus coursing through the bloodstream of civilization, exacerbated by pervasive silence, denial and indifference.

I asked Dr. Irving, what can be done to curb or eliminate Holocaust denial on social media?

Few can argue about the enormous social, economic and cultural benefits of social media today. But just as obvious as its auspicious uses, is the weaponization of social media to deny, distort and revise history, to subvert the truth, to propagate and promote false narratives and stereotypes, and to advance an intolerant, dogmatic and fractious far left or far right agenda against Jewish people, communities, organizations and institutions. This, in my opinion, is how social media platforms are being used as flamethrowers of disinformation in the contemporaneous war against the Jews and the Nation/State of the Jewish people. The challenge of curbing the venomous role of social media in stoking Anti-Zionism, antisemitism and Holocaust denial may be formidable but not indomitable.

The most obvious, effective and strategic means of confronting this juggernaut is as follows:

1) Jews must rise above their own political and other differences, even forging coalitions with other targeted and affected ethnic or religious groups to create a sustained campaign of advocacy for more vigorous, consistent and equitable enforcement of community guidelines.

2) The captains of these social media giants must be confronted with their own organizational and employee biases and complicity in fomenting hate, violence, discrimination and denial through lax enforcement of their own published standards, particularly albeit not exclusively in relation to inauthentic, hate-filled, violence-inducing content they permit to be posted about Jews, Israel and the Holocaust. We must be uncompromising about the Holocaust, the most documented atrocity in human history, as a matter of historical fact, open neither to debate nor denial.

3) Finally, enforcement of community standards must be followed by swift and certain action holding those who abuse and/or flagrantly violate such policies accountable by expeditious removal of such harmful Antisemitic content. For those who regularly post Holocaust denying or endorsing material, social media companies must be willing to exercise the ultimate sanction, blocking or disabling accounts and account holders.

Daily

Start your day with the top stories in South Florida.

Dr. Irving expressed why Holocaust awareness is so important.

The value of Holocaust knowledge to Jews and non-Jews can best be appreciated when weighed against the cost of Holocaust ignorance. In less than 80 years since the worst genocide in history ended, surveys conducted in America and Europe have shockingly revealed a frightening low level of interest in and knowledge of the Holocaust. Even more concerning is the fact that among millennials and Generation Zrs, few have any knowledge of what concentration camps such as Auschwitz were or how they were used as factories of death.

Nearly half of this demographic havent a clue that 6 million Jews perished in the Holocaust. It is unconscionable to think so many know so little about an unparalleled atrocity such as the Holocaust. This prodigious lack of Holocaust knowledge resulting principally from the failure of most states to mandate Holocaust education lends an unpalatable measure of credence to the belief that this could happen again. In my opinion, the relevance of Holocaust knowledge is universal, not merely because it was the genocidal culmination of a racist ideology, in this case, antisemitism, but especially because the Holocaust is not exclusively a matter of Jewish history, but human history.

Dr. Irving continued, Learning about the Holocaust exposes and challenges us to understand the darker side of humanity, the motivation and capacity of people and societies to discriminate, dominate, segregate, subjugate and annihilate any racial, religious, ethnic or national group. Learning about the Holocaust raises our awareness of the ideological, political, economic, psycho-social and historical factors and forces that spawn conditions in which hatred, scapegoating, prejudice and persecution lead to state-sponsored violence and mass murder. It demonstrates how even the most enlightened, cultured and civilized society(ies) can turn to barbarism and genocide against a devalued and dehumanized segment of their population. This, in turn, allows us to highlight the perils of radical extremist ideologies and the central role of a propaganda apparatus in galvanizing hatred and rationalizing a campaign of genocide. On the level of human behavior, it enables us to grasp the many different choices people made and the roles they played in response to the unspeakable horrors committed by nefarious leaders and their obedient followers.

In conclusion of Part One of our conversation, Dr. Irving was asked what message he tries to pass on to young adults?

The core of my teaching and message to young people is the importance of doing good things. Be a lifelong learner, or as I say of myself, be a student of life and for life.

In Part Two of my conversation with Dr. Irving, he will share details of his career as an educator and lecturer.

Continued here:
A conversation with Holocaust scholar Dr. Irving Berkowitz - South Florida Sun Sentinel

NEW YORK, NY and SANTA BARBARA, CA The American Federation for Aging Research (AFAR) and the Glenn Foundation for Medical Research are pleased to announce the recipients of the2022 Glenn Foundation for Medical Research Postdoctoral FellowshipsinAgingResearch.Thisprogramsupportspostdoctoralfellowswhostudybasicresearchmechanisms of aging and/or translational findings that have potential to directly benefit human health.

Selected through a rigorous review process,nine,one-year,$60,000Postdoctoral Fellowshipshavebeenawarded this year to advance research on a range of topics in the biology of aging, geroscience, and potential therapeutics:

"The fellowships significant research and training support to permit postdoctoral fellows to develop skills and competencies needed to become established in the field of aging, " notes Stephanie Lederman, EdM, Executive Director of AFAR. "With this recognition, and the ability to develop an independent research project, they are more competitive when vying for coveted junior faculty positions and when applying for larger grant support."

Theseawardsprovidepostdoctoralfellowstheopportunitytodevelopindependentresearchprojects, notes Mark R. Collins, President of the Glenn Foundation for Medical Research. Their findings today will help deepen knowledge, foster collaborations, and further therapeutic interventions tomorrow.

Learn more about this grant programhereand the 2022 recipientshere.

###

About the Glenn Foundation for Medical Research- Founded by Paul F. Glenn in 1965, the mission of the Glenn Foundation for MedicalResearchistoextendthehealthyyearsoflifethroughresearchonmechanismsofbiologythatgovernnormalhumanaging and its related physiological decline, with the objective of translating research into interventions that will extend healthspan with lifespan. Learn more atglennfoundation.org.

AboutAFAR-The American Federation for Aging Research (AFAR) is a national non-profit organization that supports and advances pioneering biomedical research that is revolutionizing how we live healthier and longer. For more than four decades, AFAR has served as the fields talent incubator, providing more than $193 million to nearly 4350 investigators at premier research institutions to dateand growing. In 2022, AFAR is expected to award over $11,000,000 to more than 60 investigators. A trusted leader and strategist, AFAR also works with public and private funders to steer high quality grant programs and interdisciplinary research networks. AFAR-funded researchers are finding that modifying basic cellular processes can delayor even preventmany chronic diseases, often at the same time. They are discovering that it is never too lateor too earlyto improve health. This groundbreaking science is paving the way for innovative new therapies that promise to improve and extend our quality of lifeat any age. Learn more atwww.afar.orgor follow AFARorg on Twitter and Facebook and American Federation for Aging Research on LinkedIn.

Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.

Read this article:
Nine postdoctoral fellowships in aging research awarded by the Glenn Foundation for Medical Research and AFAR - EurekAlert

Staying on top of your overall health and wellness game as you grow older is not a question; it's a necessity. Self-care experiences, fitness routines that promote longevity, facials that put the glow back in aging skin, and anti-aging beauty products that promise to deliver results are all the rage, because people want to remain youthful for as long as possible. Living a long, healthy life may require more than a few tweaks to your regular routine, but don't stress. We've put together the wellness habits that slow down aging so you don't have to. Keep reading to learn more.

Getting your namaste on is not only relaxing; it can slow down the aging process. Many studies reveal that practicing yoga has a wealth of health benefits, including positively impacting cellular aging, balance, mobility, and mental health, along with warding off cognitive decline. These are all things that raise concerns among older individuals.

For example, a study published in the journal Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity reveals that doing yoga for 12 weeks can slow down cellular aging among healthy individuals. Another study published in Frontiers in Human Neuroscience discovered that embarking on a yoga and meditation retreat for three months was linked to decreased stress and inflammation.6254a4d1642c605c54bf1cab17d50f1e

The next of the best wellness habits that slow down aging has to do with diet. According to Blue Zones, a Mediterranean diet can decrease your chance of developing heart disease and tack up to six years onto your life. It's what individuals in Ikaria, Greeceone of the Blue Zones, where many individuals live to 100 and beyondstick by. If you're unfamiliar with this diet, get familiar, because it's a golden key to longevity! The Mediterranean diet is all about olive oil, fresh veggies, whole grains, beans, some fish, and tinier portions of meat and dairy.

And research backs up just how great the Mediterranean diet is. According to Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, research shows this particular diet can lengthen your lifespan and promote healthy aging.

Related: The Best Exercises To Live to 100 and Beyond, Trainer Reveals

You've likely heard this before, but preserving and building muscle mass as you get older is critical. According to Harvard Health Publishing, after you hit the age of 30, you start to lose anywhere from 3% to 5% of lean muscle mass every 10 years. This natural part of your body's aging process is called sarcopenia.

What can you do about it? Well, Landmark reports consuming protein, getting in strength training (specifically two to three half-hour workouts each week, after speaking with a medical professional), adding more omega-3s to your diet, keeping your vitamin D levels in check, and going on walks can all help preserve muscle mass.

Related: 5 Exercise Habits to Slow Muscle Aging, Trainer Reveals

Getting social is a major part of your health and wellness that shouldn't be overlooked. According to Mayo Clinic, socializing helps kick any feelings of loneliness to the curb, along with boosting your cognitive and memory skills, mood, and overall wellness. It can even help extend your life.

Mayo Clinic psychologist, Dr. Craig Sawchuk, explains, "We are social animals by nature, so we tend to function better when we're in a community and being around others." He says that people who spend much of their time by themselves have a greater chance of feeling depressed and leading an all-around lower quality of life.

Getting sufficient sleep is imperative to your overall wellness. According to News in Health, getting restful Z's can boost your mood and brain performance. Some say it's just as important to ensure you stay in good health as a solid workout routine and diet. Not getting enough solid sleep can put you at greater risk of developing disorders or diseases, such as obesity, heart disease, dementia, and stroke.

Sleep researcher at the University of Colorado, Dr. Kenneth Wright, Jr., explains, "There are certain repair processes that occur in the body mostly, or most effectively, during sleep. If you don't get enough sleep, those processes are going to be disturbed" (via NIH).

According to sleep expert at NIH, Dr. Marishka Brown, three key factors attribute to "healthy sleep." She says, "One is how much sleep you get. Another is sleep qualitythat you get uninterrupted and refreshing sleep. The last is a consistent sleep schedule."

Alexa Mellardo

Read this article:
The 5 Wellness Habits That Slow Down Aging, Science Reveals Eat This Not That - Eat This, Not That

[Bloomberg Government subscribers can stay up to date on important developments in new opportunities and existing contracts by setting an alert for our weekly Top 20 Opportunities update and by subscribing to our contracting newsletter. Not a subscriber? Request a demo.]

As we head into the new fiscal year, understanding annual federal spending data and recent trends can help you uncover actionable insights to build your pipeline with the right federal contracts. In the case of existing multi-year contract vehicles, track where the money is going and then start building relationships with primes on specific contracts to position yourself for partnering and teaming opportunities.

Start by researching the full spectrum of large contracting opportunities to home in on the most lucrative deals and understand where you have the highest PWIN, or probability to win. This includes agency-wide programs, large contracts, contract vehicles, and indefinite delivery indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contracts. Look for opportunities where you can differentiate yourself and add value either as a prime, partner, team member, or subcontractor determining the right contracts to pursue is imperative.

Scrolling through sam.gov searches can be tedious and doesnt guarantee youll catch every opportunity or update. Bloomberg Government expert analysts track the 20 largest upcoming opportunities and update the list on a weekly basis, so you can be sure to never miss a new development.

[Discover more relevant federal contracting opportunities. Bloomberg Governments Opportunity Search enables you to find and exclude keywords in documents attached to solicitation notices to surface relevant opportunities in no time at all. Request a demo.]

A lot of the most successful contractors are the ones who get as far left of the RFP as possiblemeaning building in as much lead time as they can before an RFP is due, sometimes even 1-4 years outso they can be strategic from the outset. Bloomberg Government provides estimated RFP and contract award dates for each of the top 20 opportunities in our Dashboard to support successful account planning for each fiscal year and quarter.

The advantage of using the top 20 opportunities to build your pipeline is that these programs have some longevity to them. Rather than chasing RFPs for single task orders or solicitations as they drop, building a long-term plan to compete for large opportunities with a multi-year lifespan means that your business development pipeline becomes more predictable.

Many contractors with current awards through these opportunities are looking for subcontractors or partners to deliver top-notch products and services to the federal government and help them stay ahead of the competition. By using this list of top 20 opportunities to track where the federal government is spending money and its potential value, you can target the primes on a specific contract to start building relationships now so you can take advantage of these opportunities in the future.

Link:
Winning Federal Contracts on the Top 20 Contract Vehicles - Bloomberg Government

Lt. Col. Lawrence B. Austin, Sr. was recently promoted and robed in ceremonies conducted in the Grenada County Circuit Court Room. Major General Janson D. Boyles conducted the pinning ceremony in which he promoted Lt. Col. Austin to the rank of Colonel. Following the pinning ceremony, Judge Virginia Carter Carlton, Presiding Judge of the Mississippi Court of Appeals, conducted an investiture ceremony in which she installed Col. Austin as The Military Judge, Mississippi Army National Guard.

Col. Austin entered military service in April 1994 as a First Lieutenant in the United States Army Reserve component of the Judge Advocate Generals Corps with the 213th Legal Support Organization (LSO). He served with Team 7, Fort Benning, as a Legal Assistance Attorney, and then Defense Counsel. In 1995, he moved to the Headquarters 23th LSO where he served as the Assistant Training Officer, and Administrative Law Counsel. In 1996, he moved to Jackson, Mississippi, where he served as the Administrative Law Counsel and then Contracts Law Counsel. He promoted to the rank of Captain in June of 1998, becoming Senior Legal Opinions Counsel in April 2002. Col. Austin received his promotion to the rank of Major in October of 2004.

Col. Austin was called to active service August of 2006 to Camp Shelby Joint Forces Training Center (CSJFTC) supporting mobilization operations. He initially served as Chief of Administrative Law, then Deputy Command Judge Advocate. COL Austin managed a staff of 7 attorneys, 2 paralegals, who successfully supported mobilization of over 26,000 service members, annually.

Col. Austins service with the Mississippi Army National Guard began in June of 2008, with an assignment as Command Judge Advocate for the 185th Theater Aviation Brigade. In August 2010, Col. Austin moved to the 184th Expeditionary Sustainment Command (ESC) as its Staff Judge Advocate, and mobilized with the unit to Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan (Active Duty), where it operated as the Joint Sustainment Command Afghanistan. Col. Austin managed 5 law offices with numerous attorneys and paralegals, and received the Bronze Star Medal for his teams work resulting in millions of dollars in saving to the U.S. Government.

In 2012, Col. Austin again entered active service with the 177th Armored Brigade as its Command Judge Advocate and Special Subjects Trainer, and Judge Advocate for the 151 Infantry Brigade supporting training, mobilization and demobilization operations. Following his active-duty tour, Col. Austin returned to the MSARNG in 2014, and served as Deputy Staff Judge Advocate, 66th Troop Command; Staff Judge Advocate, Special Operations Command Detachment South; Assistant Staff Judge Advocate, Joint Forces Headquarters; Chief of Trial Defense Service; and Command Judge Advocate, Camp McCain Training Center. He was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel in August of 2009.

Col. Austin has represented the

MSARNG before the Mississippi Public Service Commission, and was instrumental in the creation of Mississippi legislation related to Commercial Licensing for Military Service Members.

His awards include: Bronze Star Medal; Meritorious Service Medal; Army Commendation Medal (2nd Award); Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal; Afghanistan Campaign Medal (2 Campaign Stars); NATO Medal; Afghanistan Service Medal; National Defense Service Medal (with Bronze Service Star); Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; Army Service Ribbon; Overseas Service Ribbon (2nd award); Army Reserve Component Overseas Training Ribbon (2nd Award); Armed Forces Reserve Medal (with M Device); Mississippi War Medal; Mississippi National Guard Emergency Service Medal Ribbon; Mississippi Longevity Medal (10th award); and the Joint Meritorious Unit Award.

COL Austin civilian education includes a Bachelors of Business Administration from Delta State University, a Juris Doctor from Mississippi College School of Law, and a Masters of Law in Taxation from University of Denver Graduate Tax Program. His military education includes the Command and General Staff College Advanced Operations Course, and Intermediate Level Education Course (Top 10% of Class); The Judge Advocate Officer Basic and Advanced Courses; The Adjutant General School Human Resource Management Course; U.S. Air Force Joint Special Operations Course; U.S. Naval Justice School Law of Naval Warfare Course; Range Safety Level II Course and Range Operations Course.

COL Austin (son of the former Mr. Cecil and Mrs. Bobbie Austin and grandson of Mr. and Mrs. John L. Baskin) is married to Josephine Thompson Saunders Ashcraft Austin (daughter of the former Mr. and Mrs. John D. Ashcraft, Jr.), and they have two children, Amanda Josephine Ashcraft Austin Goodwin and Specialist Lawrence Bryant Austin, Jr., and son-in-law Danner Stribling Goodwin. He is the son of the former. COL Austin a member of the Winona Rotary Club serving as Vice-president, and Moore Memorial United Methodist Church.

Link:
Lawrence Austin promoted to rank of colonel - Winona Times

People are living longer, and organizations are shifting their attitudes toward older workers as a result. Organizations that can turn advancing worker age into an asset could gain a competitive advantage.

Rising life expectancies and an aging global workforce present organizations with unprecedented challenges and untapped opportunities. Companies that plan, design, and experiment with workforce strategies, workplace policies, and management approaches for longer working lives can reap a longevity dividend. Those that lag behind face potential liability concerns and skill gaps. Creating ways for people to have meaningful, productive multi-stage and multidimensional careers is a major opportunity to engage workers across generations.

One of modern sciences greatest achievements is longevity: the unprecedented length of human lives today. Average global life expectancy has rocketed from 53 years in 1960 to 72 years in 2015and it is still climbing,1 with life expectancy projected to grow by 1.5 years per decade.2 Longevity, combined with falling birth rates, is dramatically increasing the share of older people in populations worldwide.3 Looking ahead, the number of retirees per worker globally is expected to decline from 8:1 today to 4:1 in 2050.4

These demographic facts have profound implications for individuals, organizations, and society. In this era of longevity, an individuals career can last far longer, spanning generations of technologies and businesses. Companies can employ people into their 60s, 70s, and beyond as the pool of traditional working-age (20- to 54-year-old) adults shrinks. For their part, many individuals find the needfinancially and/or emotionallyto stay in the workforce past traditional retirement age.

In our 2018 Global Human Capital Trends survey, 29 percent of therespondents rated longevity as a very important issue, and another 40 percent rated it as important. Respondents in Japan in particular, whose population is rapidly aging, were especially concerned about the issue, with 41 percent saying that it is very important.

Population aging poses a workforce dilemma for both economies and organizations. Thirteen countries are expected to have super-aged populationswhere more than one in five people is 65 or olderby 2020, up from just three in 2014.5 These include major economies such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Japan, Germany, France, and South Korea. Chinas 65-and-older population is projected to more than triple from approximately 100 million in 2005 to over 329 million in 2050.6 In fact, analysts have estimated that 60 percent of the worlds population over 65 will live in Asia by 2030.7

Compounding the challenge, almost all developed economies now have birth rates below the replacement rate of 2.1.8 This means that companies in these countries must either attract workers from abroad or tap into the maturing workforce. For a view of the challenges ahead, one needs look no further than Japanthe worlds oldest countrywhere a shortage of roughly 1 million employees in 2015 and 2016 is estimated to cost nearly $90 billion.9

New research is being conducted to help organizations shape their talent and business strategies for an era of longevity. The MIT AgeLab, for example, works with businesses, government, and other stakeholders to develop solutions and policies aimed at engaging the elderly population. The AgeLab uses consumer-centered thinking to understand the challenges and opportunities of longevity in order to catalyze innovation across business markets.10

As talent markets grow more competitive, organizations often find it valuable to keep older workers on the job rather than replace them with younger ones. Our research shows that older workers represent a largely untapped opportunity: Only 18 percent of this years respondents said that age is viewed as an advantage in their organization. But leading companies are beginning to focus on this talent pool as a competitive advantage.

The older labor pool represents a proven, committed, and diverse set of workers. More than 80 percent of US employers believe that workers aged 50 and more are a valuable resource for training and mentoring, an important source of institutional knowledge, and offer more knowledge, wisdom, and life experience.11 The UK government incentivizes employers to retain, retrain, and recruit older workers, and it is committed to policies that support lifetime learning and training and decrease loneliness and social isolation.12

Proactive organizations are tapping into the older talent pool by extending their career models, creating new development paths, and inventing roles to accommodate workers in their 50s, 60s, and 70s. This year, 16 percent of therespondents we surveyed for this report say their companies are creating special roles for older workers, and 20 percent are partnering with older workers to develop new career models. Organizations could find great value in older workers ability to serve as mentors, coaches, or experts. Taking on these kinds of roles allows older workers to pass the baton to younger generations, while making room for ambitious younger workers.

Many companies are also experimenting with workplace changes to help older employees remain in the workforce. For instance, BMW increased productivity on an assembly line staffed with older workers by 7 percent in just three months through simple changes such as providing cushioned floors and adjustable work benches.13 Home Depot and other organizations are engaging older workers with flexible scheduling options and part-time positions.14 Further, as many as one-third of retirees are willing to work part-time, offering opportunities to leverage this group on a contingent or gig basis.15

Reskilling also plays a role in successful strategies to utilize older talent. One global telecommunications provider encourages senior workers to reinvent themselves and invests in programs to help them acquire new technical skills.16 Software engineers who have built careers on older technologies such as COBOL or C++ can use this experience to learn mobile computing, AI, and other technologies at a very rapid rate.

An interesting and little-known fact, moreover, is that older people are among the most entrepreneurial of workers across age groups. Between 1996 and 2014, the percentage of older workers (aged 5564) starting new ventures increasedexceeding (by 68 percent) the rate of entrepreneurship among millennial entrepreneurs (aged 2034), which actually decreased during the same period.17

The transition toward older talent can present challenges. Older workers may have specialized workplace needs and can attract resentment from younger workers, and they often enjoy higher salaries because of their tenure. Organizations looking to assimilate an older worker population may face the need to design new wage policies, create more flexible rewards programs, and train young leaders to manage people across generations (including team members who may be their parents age).

Pensions are another area where longevity impacts organizations. The World Economic Forum estimates that a $70 trillion global retirement savings gap exists today, highlighting the sharp difference between retirement needs and actual retirement income. Moreover, this gap is projected to grow to $400 trillion by 2050.18 Helping older adults to work longer and manage their retirement savings will be a vital need for companies in order to avoid the negative productivity effects of financial stress.

Our Global Human Capital Trends research shows that many organizations are unprepared to deal with the aging of global workforces. Nearly half of the respondents we surveyed (49 percent) reported that their organizations have done nothing to help older workers find new careers as they age. Rather than seeing opportunity, 20 percent of respondents view older workers as a competitive disadvantage, and in countries such as Singapore, the Netherlands, and Russia, this percentage is far higher. In fact, 15 percent of respondents believed that older employees are an impediment to rising talent by getting in the way of up-and-coming younger workers.

Perceptions of workers over 55 years old spanned both extremes, though these perceptions varied significantly by country.

Explore the data further in the Global Human Capital Trends app.

Based on these findings and our anecdotal observations, we believe there may be a significant hidden problem of age bias in the workforce today. Left unaddressed, perceptions that a companys culture and employment practices suffer from age bias could damage its brand and social capital.

Age discrimination is already becoming a mainstream diversity issue and liability concern. More than 21,000 age discrimination complaints were filed with the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission in 2016.19 The problem is particularly acute in Silicon Valleys technology industry, where older software engineers are often pushed to take lower-paying jobs or look for work outside Silicon Valley because of the emphasis on the youth culture.20

The demographic math is undeniable: As national populations age, challenges related to engaging and managing the older workforce will intensify. Companies that ignore or resist them may not only incur reputational damage and possible liabilities, but also risk falling behind those organizations that succeed in turning longevity into a competitive advantage.

Staying competitive in a world of unprecedented longevity demands that organizations adopt new strategies to engage with older talent. Traditional assumptionsthat learning ends in ones 20s, career progression ends in the 40s, and work ends in the 60sare no longer accurate or sustainable. Rethinking workforce strategies across multiple generations to account for longer lives will require open minds and fresh approaches.

Visit link:
The longevity dividend: Work in an era of 100-year lives

Footer Disclaimer

Northwestern Mutual is the marketing name for The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company and its subsidiaries. Life and disability insurance, annuities, and life insurance with longterm care benefits are issued by The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company, Milwaukee, WI (NM). Longterm care insurance is issued by Northwestern Long Term Care Insurance Company, Milwaukee, WI, (NLTC) a subsidiary of NM. Investment brokerage services are offered through Northwestern Mutual Investment Services, LLC (NMIS) a subsidiary of NM, brokerdealer, registered investment adviser, and member FINRA and SIPC. Investment advisory and trust services are offered through Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Company (NMWMC), Milwaukee, WI, a subsidiary of NM and a federal savings bank. Products and services referenced are offered and sold only by appropriately appointed and licensed entities and financial advisors and professionals. Not all products and services are available in all states. Not all Northwestern Mutual representatives are advisors. Only those representatives with Advisor in their title or who otherwise disclose their status as an advisor of NMWMC are credentialed as NMWMC representatives to provide investment advisory services.

Read the original post:
Retirement Savings Calculator - Northwestern Mutual

Our lifespan or more importantly our health span, as discussed during GENs recent The State of Biotech summit, is a complex quantitative parameter influenced by our genes, cells, physiology, and environment. Knowing the genes that affect longevity is an important step that could inform the development of treatments, the practice of precision medicine, and potentially extend human health span. However, it has been challenging to identify genetic determinants of longevity due to the lack of integrated approaches that leverage multiple lines of evidence linked to complex traits.

A new collaborative study published in the journal Science, identified genes that influence longevity in a sex- and age-specific manner. The insights from the study open doors for hypothesis-driven studies on therapies for aging and age-related diseases.

Maroun Bou Sleiman, PhD, a scientist at the laboratory of integrative systems physiology at EPFL, Switzerland, and Suheeta Roy, PhD, an assistant professor at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center (UTHSC), are co-lead authors of the study, while Robert Williams, PhD, professor of genetics, genomics, and informatics at UTHSC and Johan Auwerx, PhD, professor of integrative systems physiology at EPFL are co-senior authors of the study.

This is the largest study of the genetics of normal variation of lifespan in a single huge mouse family called the UM-HET3 (more than 3000 progeny), said Williams. We discovered a small number of chromosomal regions that modulate lifespan both early and late in life. We then developed general resources for those interested in specific genes that may modulate differencesin lifespan both as a function of sex and age.

The large-scale, multicenter study analyzed DNA variants in 3276 UM-HET3 micea genetically diverse mouse model used in aging intervention studies such as the National Institute on Agings Interventions Testing Program (NIA ITP).

In a Perspective article published in the same issue of the journal, Joo Pedro de Magalhes, PhD, a professor of molecular biogerontology at the University of Birmingham noted that although earlier studies have identified over 2000 longevity-linked genes in model organisms, One underappreciated limitation of such studies is that they are mostly conducted in inbred, genetically homogeneous animal populations. This means that discoveries in the genetics of aging, as well as dietary and pharmacological manipulations, may be strain-specific because there could be genetic background effects. The use of M-HET3 mice in the current study overcomes this limitation.

The investigators analyzed changes in liver gene expression with age and genotype, in mice from the same genetic cross to identify genetic loci for further investigation.

We interrogated whether the genetic basis of longevity is sex- and age-dependent, and whether nongenetic factors such as litter size and the effect of early access to nutrients on growth contribute to longevity determination, the authors noted.

When the researchers analyzed male and female genetic datasets jointly, they identified a region of chromosome 12 linked to longevity that was previously reported. However, when they analyzed the male and female datasets separately, they found a single locus on chromosome 3 linked to longevity in females. Longevity loci in male mice could be detected only when early deaths were eliminated from the dataset. This indicated that in males, some genetic determinants affected longevity only beyond a certain age.

The researchers also found, access to nutrients early in life affected growth and thereby was associated with body weight, litter size, and longevity. Using Mendelian randomization, the scientists recapitulated the links between early development, adult weight, and longevity in humans.

Comparing gene expression in the liver, the authors found higher interferon-related gene expression in female mice, and higher immune-related gene expressions in old mice. They then combined their mouse results with data from other model organisms and humans to compile a score-based prioritized list of genes linked to longevity.

Finally, the authors validated five high-scoring, conserved longevity genes by conducting life-span experiments in the microscopic worm Caenorhabditis elegans which normally lives for about three weeks. These include the protein kinases Hipk1 and Pdk1, a gycosyltransferase, Ddost, a heparan sulfate proteoglycan, Hspg2, and a zinc finger protein linked to vascular disease, Fgd6.

We have uncovered a handful of loci in this study and many candidate genes that are high priority for downstream analyses, said Williams. But by expanding the sample size five times, we would be able to detect roughly 10 to 20 times as many loci and many of these loci would be mapped with much higher positional precision. This would improve the efficiency of subsequent analyses of mechanisms that modulate lifespan and longevity.

Because longevity is a complex, multifactorial phenotype, it will also be important to elucidate in the future which processes and diseases are affected by genetic variants associated with longevity, noted de Magalhes.

See original here:
Clues to Human Longevity Unearthed in Largescale Mouse Genetic Study - Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News

But to test the same treatments in people, wed need to run clinical trials for decades, which would be very difficult and extremely expensive. So the hunt is on for chemical clues in the blood or cells that might reveal how quickly a person is aging. Quite a few aging clocks, which purport to give a persons biological age rather than their chronological age, have been developed. But none are reliable enough to test anti-aging drugsyet.

As I leave to head back to my own slightly less posh but still beautiful hotel, Im handed a gift bag. Its loaded up with anti-aging supplements, a box with a note saying it contains an AI longevity assistant, and even a regenerative toothpaste. At first glance, I have absolutely no idea if any of them are based on solid science. They might be nothing more than placebos.

Ultimately, of all the supplements, drugs and various treatments being promoted here, the workout is the one thats most likely to work, judging from the evidence we have so far. Its obvious, but regular exercise is key to gaining healthy years of life. Workouts designed to strengthen our muscles seem to be particularly beneficial for keeping us healthy, especially in later life. They can even help keep our brains young.Ill be penning a proper write up of the conference when Im back home, so if your curiosity has been piqued, keep an eye out for that next week! In the meantime, heres some related reading:

An experimental Alzheimers drug appears to slow cognitive decline. Its huge news, given the decades of failed attempts to treat the disease. But the full details of the study have not yet been published, and it is difficult to know how much of an impact the drug might have on the lives of people with the disease. (STAT)

Bionic pancreases could successfully treat type 1 diabetes, according to the results of a clinical trial. The credit card-sized device, worn on the abdomen, can constantly monitor a persons blood sugar levels, and deliver insulin when needed. (MIT Technology Review)

Were headed for a dementia epidemic in US prisons. Theres a growing number of older inmates, and the US penal system doesnt have the resources to look after them. (Scientific American)

Unvaccinated people are 14 times more likely to develop monkeypox disease than those who receive the Jynneos vaccine are, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. But the organization doesnt yet know how the vaccine affects the severity of disease in those who do become unwell, or if there is any difference in protection for people who are given fractional doses. (The New York Times $)

Dont call them minibrains! In last weeks Checkup, I covered organoidstiny clumps of cells meant to mimic full-grown organs. Theyve mainly been used for research, but weve started to implant them into animals to treat disease, and humans are next. Arguably the best-known organoids are those made from brain cells, which have been referred to as minibrains. A group of leading scientists in the field say this wrongly implies that the cells are capable of complex mental functions, like the ability to think or feel pain. They ask that we use the less-catchy but more accurate term neural organoid instead. (Nature)

That's it for this week. Thanks for reading!

Jess

Read more:
Can we find ways to live beyond 100? Millionaires are betting on it. - MIT Technology Review

New research suggests that moderate caloric restriction in humans has benefits beyond weight loss. In a two-year study, researchers saw improved immune function and T cell production, and a reduction in inflammation in participants who reduced their calories by about 14 percent.

Caloric restriction (CR) has been an important topic in aging and longevity research for many years. Weve learned from studies on many types of animalsfrom flies to mice to nonhuman primatesthat moderate CR without malnutrition prolongs lifespan, slows biological aging, and delays the development of chronic diseases.

More recent research has tried to understand the biology behind the beneficial, longevity-promoting effects of CR, and how it could be used to improve human health. The Comprehensive Assessment of Long-Term Effects of Reducing Intake of Energy (CALERIE) trial was the first CR trial conducted in healthy humans. Participants in the CR group were instructed to reduce calorie intake moderately (a goal of 20 percent) for two years.

Previous results from the CALERIE trial suggested moderate CR reduced fat mass, improved insulin sensitivity, reduced inflammatory markers, and improved cardiovascular risk biomarkers.

A new study from the CALERIE trial investigated immune function and gene expression in fat tissue in participants who restricted calories by an average of 14 percent for 2 years.

Some research in animals had suggested that CR could impair immunity. However, these studies usually reduced calories more dramatically, by about 40 percent. These animals lived longer, on average, than control animals but were more susceptible to infection. This suggests that a 40 percent calorie reduction led to insufficient resources for the immune system. Moderate CR of 14 percent, however, in the CALERIE trial, showed signs of improved immune function in the newly published study.

The researchers chose to analyze the thymus, where T cells (a subset of immune cells) mature, in CALERIE participants, because aging of the thymus begins earlier than other organs. Starting in middle age, the thymus begins to shrink, accumulate fat, and release fewer T cells, reducing the capacity for immune surveillance.

Using MRI and indicators of T cell abundance in the blood, the researchers determined that the thymus glands in the CR participants were larger and less fatty, and were releasing more T cells after two years than they were at the beginning of the study, whereas the control group showed no change.

Since excess fat tissue drives inflammation and inflammation drives aging, the researchers also investigated gene expression in adipose (fat) tissue at baseline, one year, and two years of caloric restriction. They found increases in the expression of 233 genes and decreases in 131. Several of the largest gene expression changes were indicative of a lower level of inflammation.

They focused on one particular gene: the platelet-activating factor acetylhydrolase (PLA2G7), whose expression was decreased in response to CR. Little is known about PLA2G7 so far. However, higher circulating levels of PLA2G7 have been linked to inflammation-related diseases such as cardiovascular disease, autoimmune disease, and Type 2 diabetes.

They investigated PLA2G7 further by deleting the gene in mice, and found lower circulating proinflammatory cytokines, reduced inflammation in fat tissue, limited weight gain, and maintenance of the volume of the thymus compared to control animals. These results are consistent with improved immune health and lower inflammation, and were similar to the results in humans under moderate CR, suggesting PLA2G7 is an important gene underlying the benefits of CR.

Overall, the findings from this study suggest that moderate caloric restriction alters gene expression to promote immune function and reduce inflammation, strengthening the evidence that moderate caloric restriction in the context of micronutrient excellence extends life span.

I developed the nutritarian diet,a plant-based, nutrient-dense diet, as a powerful way to reverse chronic disease, strengthen immune defenses, and slow the aging process. Its unique in that it pays attention to comprehensive micronutrient adequacy using a wide variety of nutrient-rich foods along with a judicious use of supplements (such as DHA and EPA omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins B12 and K2, zinc, and iodine) to prevent any insufficiencies from reducing or eliminating animal products. This nutritarian approach lowers the instinctual drive for calories, allowing people to be satisfied with fewercalories and enjoy eating more.

Sources:Aging and Caloric Restriction Research: A Biological Perspective With Translational Potential

Caloric Restriction in Humans Reveals Immunometabolic Regulators of Health Span

A 2-Year Randomized Controlled Trial of Human Caloric Restriction: Feasibility and Effects on Predictors of Health Span and Longevity

Calorie Restriction Enhances T-Cell-Mediated Immune Response in Adult Overweight Men and Women

Body-Composition Changes in the Comprehensive Assessment of Long-Term Effects of Reducing Intake of Energy (CALERIE)-2 Study: A 2-y Randomized Controlled Trial of Calorie Restriction in Nonobese Humans

2 Years of Calorie Restriction and Cardiometabolic Risk (CALERIE): Exploratory Outcomes of a Multicentre, Phase 2, Randomised Controlled Trial

Caloric RestrictionHas a New Player

Caloric Restriction in Humans Reveals Immunometabolic Regulators of Health Span

See the original post:
Restrict Calories to Boost Immune Function - The Epoch Times