Tag Archives: accelerating

Unseen Belly Fat Might Be Accelerating Your Aging Mind — Even If You’re at a Healthy Weight

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Recent studies indicate that visceral fat (the concealed belly fat located deep within the abdomen) may contribute to the accelerated aging of your heart.

In contrast to subcutaneous fat, which resides just beneath the skin, visceral fat envelops vital organs like the stomach, liver, and intestines. Individuals with elevated visceral fat levels might present as slimmer or even possess a healthy body mass index (BMI) and weight.

“Staying active is crucial, but our findings reveal that this hidden fat can pose risks even for those who seem healthy,” states Professor Declan Olegan, who led the research.

Two MRI scans, showcasing more visceral fat (red) and subcutaneous fat (blue) in the left subject – Photo credit: AMRA Medical

This research has been published in European Heart Journal. Scientists at the Medical Research Council of London (MRC) Institute of Medical Sciences examined data from 21,241 participants in the UK Biobank.

Whole-body imaging was utilized to analyze fat distribution, along with an in-depth investigation of the heart and blood vessels. Artificial intelligence was implemented to estimate a “heart age” for each participant, reflecting signs of organ aging, such as hardened or inflamed tissue.

The study identified notable differences between genders. Men are prone to accumulating visceral fat in the abdomen, often resulting in expedited heart aging.

Conversely, women have a genetic tendency to store fat around the waist and thighs, resulting in a “pear shape,” which may decelerate heart aging. Elevated estrogen levels in premenopausal women are linked to reduced heart aging, indicating that hormones might play a significant role in organ protection.

Blood analyses revealed a correlation between visceral fat and increased inflammation, suggesting another factor that could contribute to premature aging.

Utilizing whole-body MRI scans to analyze fat distribution and examine the heart in detail (credit: MRC Laboratory of Medical Sciences)

Professor Brian Williams, Chief Science Officer and Medical Officer at the British Heart Foundation, stated: “We are already aware that excess visceral fat around the heart and liver can result in increased blood pressure and high cholesterol, which may further accelerate heart and blood vessel aging.”

“The typical pattern of fat distribution observed in women is influenced by estrogen, suggesting that hormones could be pivotal in developing future treatments for cardiac aging.

“Adopting healthier eating habits and increasing physical activity can aid in lowering visceral fat levels.”

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Source: www.sciencefocus.com

A Toxic Social Connection May Be Accelerating Your Aging

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The individuals we associate with may influence our health

Rob Wilkinson/Alamy

Many people in our lives may evoke anxiety instead of happiness. Interestingly, these individuals can actually accelerate the aging process.

Psychologists have long understood that robust social connections can enhance our longevity. A study indicates that social isolation may impact mortality rates as much as obesity and inactivity.

Moreover, the quality of our relationships holds equal significance to their quantity. Research from the University of Utah in 2012 revealed that tumultuous relationships—those marked by intense highs and lows—can accelerate telomere shortening, a protective cap on chromosomes. This shortening is a natural part of aging and is linked to health issues like heart disease.

Recently, Byungkyu Lee from New York University and his team explored a more precise measure of aging, investigating how negative social connections influence small chemical changes in DNA known as methylation marks. These changes illustrate how behavior and environment can alter gene function through epigenetics. “As we age, the patterns of these marks change in predictable ways,” states Lee.

The researchers collected saliva samples for epigenetic analysis from 2,232 individuals, who described their relationships with significant members of their social circles and indicated their experiences on a scale of “Never,” “Rarely,” “Sometimes,” or “Frequently.”

Interestingly, many participants labeled these negative influences as “hustlers.” “Over half of adults report having at least one hustler among their close contacts,” notes Lee.

These people seem to have a considerable effect on an individual’s epigenetic markers, with each hustler linked to approximately a 0.5% increase in biological aging, suggesting that individuals with hustlers in their lives tend to have a biological age that is older than their chronological age.

Negative social ties can induce chronic stress responses, and Lee’s team observed elevated markers in those relationships, leading to immune system damage.

“The biological ramifications of a significant number of hustlers in one’s social network are certainly comparable to the differences seen between smokers and non-smokers,” Lee asserts.

This effect was notably pronounced among hustlers who, paradoxically, provided some form of social support. “The same person who comforts you today may criticize you tomorrow, effectively branding you as bad and causing more physiological harm than a relationship that could potentially offer more stability,” explains Lee.

Alex Haslam from the University of Queensland remarked that the findings “align with other studies exploring these dynamics and underscore the importance of social relationships in relation to health.”

He further suggested that the overall sentiment within a group may influence aging even more than specific individual relationships. “For instance, being part of a book club or a choir may mean that it’s my connection to the entire group that plays a role in my health.”

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Source: www.newscientist.com

The Unexpected Role of Land, Not Ice, in Accelerating Sea Level Rise

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The land on Earth is drying out quickly, contributing to sea level rise even more than melting glaciers, according to new research.

Researchers have discovered that water loss from soil, lakes, and underground aquifers accelerates the rise in sea levels. This trend of drying is spreading at an alarming rate.

Areas around the globe that are drying are merging into vast interconnected regions known as “megadry” zones. One such area now spans from the southwest coast of the US to Mexico.

Previously, dryness in certain regions was balanced by wetness in others. However, dry areas are now expanding at a faster pace than wet areas, covering an expanse that grows annually by an area twice the size of California.

At present, 101 countries are consistently losing freshwater, putting 75% of the world’s population (almost 6 billion people) at risk.

“In many locations where groundwater is being depleted, it will not be replenished within human timescales,” a recent study noted. Advances in science, “Safeguarding the global groundwater supply has become increasingly crucial in a warming world, especially in regions known to be drying.”

Utilizing satellite data gathered from 2002 to 2024, the research monitored water storage across Earth’s surface, in lakes, rivers, snow, soil, groundwater aquifers, and even plant life.

The findings indicate that human activities worsen the situation, while climate change also plays a significant role. As landscapes dry out, humans extract more water from sources such as underground aquifers.

These water reserves are not replenished at the same pace, which leads to an accelerated growth of dry areas and their eventual connection.

For instance, the study identified declining groundwater levels in California’s Central Valley and the Colorado River Basin, resulting in these arid regions merging with similar areas in Central America to create a massive dry zone.

Dryness is also encroaching upon previously wet regions like Canada and Russia. – Credit: Getty Images

“In certain areas such as California, the continuous overextraction of groundwater is threatening water and food security in ways that are not fully acknowledged globally,” the study asserts.

Moreover, they emphasize the urgent need for crucial decisions at both national and international levels to “preserve this vital resource for future generations.”

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Source: www.sciencefocus.com

AI’s Impact on Business: Accelerating Drug Trials and Enhancing Movie Production

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Keir Starmer this week unveiled a 50-point plan to make Britain a world leader in artificial intelligence and boost the economy by up to £47bn a year over 10 years. This multi-billion pound investment aims to increase AI computing power under public control by 20 times by 2030 and is thought to be a game-changer for businesses and public organizations. Reactions to this announcement have been mixed, as it is by no means clear whether the much-touted potential of AI will translate into the level of economic benefits predicted. While many fear the technology will lead to widespread layoffs, proposals to make it easy for AI companies to data mine artwork for free will boost the value and growth of the creative industries. Some are concerned about destruction.

Despite these concerns, for many in the business world, the AI revolution has already arrived and is transforming industries. So how are you deploying technology to improve productivity, and where do you hope to see further benefits in the future?


Airlines are increasingly leveraging AI for the complex logistics of managing large aircraft and thousands of crew members in unpredictable skies. AI is used across Ryanair’s operations to optimize revenue, schedules, and ‘tail allocation’, selecting the best aircraft for each flight. BA also uses this feature at Heathrow to select gates depending on the number of connecting passengers on arriving flights.

EasyJet said it has embedded AI throughout its new Luton control room and that its predictive technology is now improving aircraft inventory levels and redesigning maintenance regimes to proactively avoid breakdowns. Meanwhile, the low-cost carrier’s Jetstream tools help with the brain-tugging task of quickly repositioning crews and aircraft with minimal disruption and maximum efficiency when problems occur. Gwyn Topham


One of the concerns raised about Starmer’s AI expansion plans is that the energy-intensive data centers required to run the program could exceed the UK’s electricity grid capacity. But some argue that the technology could actually accelerate the clean power revolution by solving the problem of how future energy systems will operate.

Power grids must increasingly adapt to real-time fluctuations in thousands of renewable energy sources and consider new technologies such as electric vehicle batteries that can not only draw power from the grid but also re-release it as needed.

Google was one of the early adopters of the digital energy approach. The company’s AI subsidiary, DeepMind, developed neural networks in 2019 to improve the accuracy of power generation predictions for renewable energy power plants. By more accurately forecasting generation and demand, they were able to balance consumption and even sell some of their power back to the grid. Google says this increases the financial value of wind power by 20%.

Meanwhile, in the UK, energy provider Octopus Energy is leveraging the advanced data and machine learning capabilities of the Kraken operating system to help customers access electricity at cheaper and greener times through time-of-use pricing. I’m doing it. Using electricity during off-peak hours often lowers electricity bills by 40%, reducing the need to invest in new fossil fuels and expensive grid expansion projects. Gillian Ambrose

Big pharma and small AI-focused biotech companies are using this technology to accelerate drug development and reduce costs and failure rates. Drug development typically takes at least 10 years, and 90% of drugs that undergo clinical trials on volunteers fail.

AI can help design smarter clinical trials by selecting patients most likely to respond to treatment. According to a recent analysis by Boston Consulting Group, 75 AI-generated drugs have entered clinical trials since 2015, and 67 of them were still in clinical trials last year.

The treatment for a deadly lung disease called idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is attracting attention as the world’s first fully AI-generating drug, and is currently in late-stage trials. developed By Massachusetts-based Insilico Medicine, Inc. used AI to generate 30,000 novel small molecules and narrowed them down to the six most promising drugs and leading candidates. Meanwhile, AstraZeneca, the UK’s largest pharmaceutical company, said more than 85% of its small molecule drug pipeline is “AI-assisted”.

Ministers are considering opening up NHS databases to private companies so that anonymized patient data can be used to develop new drugs and diagnostic tools. But privacy activists oppose such a move because even anonymized data can be manipulated to identify patients. Julia Cole

(retail)
There has been a lot of talk over the past six months about the rise of AI in operations, as retailers look for ways to increase efficiency amid rising labor costs. For example, Sainsbury’s is using AI-enabled predictive tools to ensure the right amount of product is on the shelves in different stores as part of a £1 billion cost-cutting plan. Marks & Spencer uses AI to help create online product descriptions and advise shoppers on clothing choices based on body shape and style preferences as part of efforts to increase online sales.

Tesco CEO Ken Murphy said AI was already widely used in purchasing decisions, adding that the technology meant that customer interactions would be “truly powered by AI in almost every aspect of the business.” “This is a level that will be strengthened and promoted,” he added. He uses this to analyze data from shoppers’ loyalty cards to provide insights into “shopper interactions”, such as how to save money or take care of your health by buying (or not buying too much) certain products. It suggested it could provide “inspiration and ideas relevant to the family.” Sarah Butler


AI-enhanced efficiencies that automate the simplest tasks for call handlers have the potential to transform productivity and service levels in the public sector. Adolfo Hernandez insists CEO of outsourcing group Capita.

For example, by drawing on past interactions with customers, you no longer have to go beyond old conventions. Behind the scenes, the program can connect council services together, allowing planning applications departments and building services to work together. Or listen in the background to transcribe and summarize your calls to save time taking notes.

Capita has deployed its ‘Agent Suite’ product to two of its clients. early signs, it saysshows a 20% reduction in average call handling time, a 25% reduction in post-call management, and a 15-30% increase in calls resolved on the first interaction. Nils Pratley

Source: www.theguardian.com

You may not be consuming enough fiber, which could be accelerating the aging process

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It has been suggested by expert nutritionists Dr. Emily Leeming and Nutritional Psychologist Kimberly Wilson that many individuals are experiencing accelerated brain aging due to a lack of dietary fiber. This deficiency in fiber may be a contributing factor to the prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. Dementia, a neurodegenerative disease resulting in memory loss, is considered a model of accelerated brain aging, according to Wilson. This emphasizes the importance of dietary fiber for maintaining brain health and activity.

Leeming and Wilson point out that most adults in the UK do not consume an adequate amount of fiber, with the recommended daily intake being at least 30g. However, data shows that British adults only consume around 19g per day, while U.S. adults consume even less at 15g per day. The high cost of fiber-rich foods compared to less healthy options is one reason why individuals may not be meeting their fiber requirements.

Why is Fiber Important for Brain Health?

Wilson describes fiber as an underappreciated protector of the brain. When gut bacteria metabolize fiber, they produce short-chain fatty acids which play a crucial role in protecting the brain. These fatty acids can cross the blood-brain barrier and prevent toxic substances from passing through, highlighting the importance of fiber in maintaining brain health.

Tips for Increasing Fiber Intake

Leeming emphasizes the importance of including fiber-rich foods in the diet to improve gut health and overall well-being. Some tips for increasing fiber intake include focusing on fiber-rich foods like rye bread and beans, snacking on nuts, adding vegetables to meals, and consuming dark chocolate and root vegetables with the skin on.

Increasing fiber intake can also lower the risk of various health conditions, including colon cancer, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease. It can also support a healthy gut microbiome, which is essential for overall health.

Learn More About Our Experts

Kimberly Wilson is a licensed psychologist with a Masters in Nutrition and is a published author of books on healthy brain development and the impact of food on mental health.

Dr. Emily Leeming is a Registered Dietitian and Research Fellow with expertise in the impact of diet on the gut microbiome. She has published a book on the science of diet for gut health.

Source: www.sciencefocus.com