Tag Archives: decade

Longevity Diet: Discover How Healthy Eating Can Extend Your Life by a Decade

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When centenarians are asked about their longevity, the common reply centers on diet. For instance, Maria Blañas Morela, the oldest known person when she passed at 117, consumed three yogurts daily. Jeanne Calment, often recognized as the oldest living person, attributed her remarkable age to olive oil, chocolate, and the occasional glass of port.

Diet plays a significant role in health and is essential for a long life. However, a better question to consider might be: “What did you avoid eating?”

This article is part of a special issue examining ways to achieve the healthiest and happiest year possible. Click here for more details!

For example, Lars Fadness from the University of Bergen in Norway and colleagues analyzed research from the global burden of disease report. Their findings indicate that a conventional Western diet—characterized by lower intake of refined grains, sugar, red and processed meats, and dairies, alongside lesser fresh fruits, vegetables, nuts, and fish—is not conducive to longevity. In fact, such diets contribute to approximately 11 million early deaths annually.

Researchers modeled the life expectancy impact of dietary changes, showing that if a typical 20-year-old woman in the US shifts to a diet focused on whole grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts, legumes, and fish, her life expectancy could rise from 80 to 89. Similarly, a 20-year-old man making the same dietary switch would see an increase from 76 to 86.

“Increasing whole grains, nuts, and legumes while minimizing processed and red meat can significantly improve health,” Fadness notes.

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Even if your 20th birthday is long gone, there are compelling reasons to make a change
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Even if you’re past 20, there’s still value in changing your habits. For instance, a 60-year-old woman switching to this healthier lifestyle could gain over seven extra years, raising her life expectancy from 81.6 to 89.

Fadness also detailed how transitioning towards a diet less aligned with Western standards can extend life expectancy, albeit to a lesser degree than complete dietary optimization.

Eating lots of fresh vegetables can add years to your life

NRD/UNSPLASH

While these are theoretical models, real-world data supports the premise that diet plays a significant role in health over the years.

Last year, Zhaoli Dai-Keller and her team at the University of New South Wales investigated the nutritional habits of thousands of people aged 95 and older, focusing on individuals from community environments in East Asia, Australia, and Western Europe. These individuals have successfully aged, and their dietary patterns revealed valuable insights.

Avoid Excess Salt

The study found that those individuals exemplified dietary virtues. They consumed significantly less alcohol and adhered to a balanced, diverse diet featuring primarily fruits, vegetables, white meat, fish, and legumes. Notably, Dai-Keller highlighted, “Salt intake was notably lower among centenarians.” High salt consumption is linked to cardiovascular diseases, a leading cause of death globally.

In a related study, Anne Julie Tessier and Marta Guasch-Ferré from the Harvard Chan School of Public Health, reexamined data from two extensive studies that tracked over 105,000 individuals spanning three decades, searching for evidence of healthy aging, defined as reaching age 70 free from major chronic diseases and maintaining physical and mental acuity.

Only about 10% of participants met these criteria. Analysis showed that a key commonality among those who reached this goal was dietary habits, with the majority consistently following a Mediterranean diet during middle age. In contrast, those who indulged in fatty, salty, and meaty diets did not fare as well in aging healthily.

While reaching the age of 70 in good health does not guarantee a lifespan of 100, it certainly helps.

So, how much does body weight influence longevity, beyond simply what you eat? According to a 2024 study led by Dai-Keller, one defining characteristic of those over 95 is that they tend to be slender. Approximately half maintained normal weight, while a third experienced weight loss.

Weight and Daily Activities

Obesity does not appear to be a conducive factor for reaching 100 years. However, research showed that being overweight, as opposed to being obese, was beneficial for daily functions compared to maintaining a normal weight. Additionally, being underweight increased the risk of disability by about 25%.

This discussion leads us to calorie restriction, a method sometimes recommended for promoting longevity. One of the most reliable ways to prolong the lifespan of laboratory animals is to reduce caloric intake by over 25%. However, this is challenging for humans, and calorie restriction is yet to be proven effective in extending human lifespan. Even if it does extend life, it may compromise the ability to perform daily tasks.

In conclusion, to enhance your chances of living to 100 in optimal health, consider the crucial elements on your plate.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

UK to Brace for Summers Over 40°C in the Next Decade, Warn Officials

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It’s probable that extreme temperatures will persist during the UK’s summer months.

AFP via Henry Nichols/Getty Images

According to the Met Office, the UK must swiftly adapt to summer temperatures exceeding 40°C (104°F). This warning from the nation’s National Weather Service highlights the alarming rate of rising summer temperatures due to climate change.

In July 2022, Lincolnshire, eastern England, recorded an unprecedented temperature of 40.3°C (104.5°F), the highest for that month. Experts state that climate change has amplified the likelihood of such heatwaves by at least tenfold.

Furthermore, researchers caution that these extremes are part of a worrying trend. Under the guidance of Jillian Kay, the Met Office has utilized climate models to simulate over 2,500 UK summers to evaluate the potential for extreme heat under current climatic conditions.

The findings reveal a 50% chance of surpassing 40°C within the next 12 years, particularly affecting the southern and eastern regions of England, which are at higher risk for intense heat. The frequency of such extreme temperatures has surged dramatically in recent decades, increasing six times since the 1980s and nearly tripling since 2000.

Additionally, there is a 1% chance of temperatures breaching 42°C (107.6°F) annually, with the highest projected temperature for the UK under present conditions reaching 46.6°C (115.9°F), though such an extreme is described as “very rare,” according to Kay.

The simulations also provide meteorologists insights into the atmospheric conditions conducive to extreme heat in the UK. A primary scenario involves a persistent heatwave affecting Europe, with hot air moving across the southern and eastern coasts of England. Recently, the Met Office issued a warning of another heatwave forecasted for the UK due to the intense warmth persisting across the continent.

As temperatures rise, these heatwaves are becoming increasingly enduring. In the scorching summer of 1976, daytime temperatures surpassed 28°C (82.4°F) for two consecutive weeks. Today, under current climate conditions, similar temperatures can persist for over a month. Simulations indicate that exceeding 40°C could be feasible for 3-4 days even under existing conditions.

“We could experience temperatures a few degrees higher than the 40°C seen in July 2022, and we must be ready,” Kay emphasizes. The UK faced considerable challenges managing brief instances of heat above 40°C during that heatwave. More than 1,200 additional deaths were reported, rail travel was disrupted, schools closed, and wildfires raged throughout the country.

Kay urged public authorities, especially public health leaders, to “stress-test” systems to effectively handle such extreme temperatures. “The Met Office and similar entities have long predicted that climate change would lead to more intense and frequent heatwaves,” she states. “Our research confirms exactly that.”

Prolonged heatwaves pose significant risks. They not only strain the ecosystem but also dry out soil, wilt plants, and threaten animal life, while putting immense stress on human health, particularly when daytime and nighttime temperatures remain elevated for long durations. Extended heatwaves increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes. This risk is particularly acute in regions less accustomed to sustained heat, like the UK, where air conditioning is uncommon.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

US Officials Accuse “Silicon Six” of Dodging $278 Billion in Corporate Taxes in a Decade

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The “Silicon Six” tech giants in America have been accused of only paying $278 billion (£21.1 billion) in corporate income taxes over the last ten years.

Amazon, Meta, Alphabet, Netflix, Apple, and Microsoft have collectively made $1.1 trillion in revenue and 2.5 trillion in profit during the same period.

Despite this, they have only paid an average of 18.8% in national and federal taxes, compared to the US average of 29.7%, with Silicon Six allegedly involving tax avoidance in their business strategies.

Nonprofit organizations’ analysis showed that the average corporate income tax contribution for these companies fell to 16.1% over the past decade when excluding one-time US repatriation tax payments related to past tax avoidance.

The report also claimed that businesses inflated $820 billion in tax payments by including tax contingencies they didn’t anticipate paying during the same period.

Paul Monaghan, the CEO of FTF, stated, “Our analysis reveals that Silicon Six’s tax avoidance persists within their corporate structure. Their contributions exceed what other sectors like banks and energy pay in many regions globally.”

Monaghan highlighted “active tax practices” and companies’ significant influence on the economy, stressing that they spend millions lobbying the government.

The report points to the impact of tech moguls like Amazon’s Jeff Bezos, Apple’s Tim Cook, and Meta’s Mark Zuckerberg, emphasizing the influence of US tech companies.

Significant tax reductions for these companies reportedly played a pivotal role in discussions with the UK to secure lower tariffs on US exports.

Monaghan explained that much of Silicon Six’s international income benefits from lower tax rates due to tax credits for foreign intangible income. Overseas sales also face reduced income taxes due to lower profit margins and profits booked in low-tax jurisdictions.

Netflix had the lowest tax rate of 14.7% compared to its profit, with Microsoft at 20.4%. Amazon, despite a tax system criticized for profit shifting, had a corporate tax rate of 19.6%, surpassing Netflix, Meta (15.4%), and Apple (18.4%).

An Amazon spokesperson noted that UK revenues, costs, profits, and taxes are all reported and paid in the UK as required.

A Meta representative assured compliance with tax laws across all the countries they operate in, while a Netflix spokesperson stated adherence to relevant tax rules in every jurisdiction.

Microsoft, Alphabet, and Apple have been approached for comment.

Source: www.theguardian.com

After a decade of increases, obesity rates among U.S. adults decreased last year.

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overview

  • Last year, the obesity rate among U.S. adults decreased slightly for the first time in more than a decade, a study found.
  • Researchers suggested this may be due in part to the rise of weight loss drugs like Ozempic.
  • However, other drugs and factors (such as the effects of the coronavirus pandemic) may also have played a role.

Obesity rates among U.S. adults declined slightly last year, according to a study, but it was the first time in more than a decade that the country had seen a downward trend. Part of that may be due to the recent rise of blockbuster weight loss drugs like Ozempic, the study authors said.

The findings of the study were announced on Friday. Journal JAMA Health Forumthe most significant declines were seen in the South, especially among women and adults ages 66 to 75.

The study looked at BMI measurements for more than 16.7 million adults from 2013 to 2023 across different regions, age groups, genders, races, and ethnicities. BMI measurements are a standard but limited method for estimating obesity relative to body weight. Height to length was collected from electronic health records.

Researchers found that the adult obesity rate in the United States decreased from 46% in 2022 to 45.6% in 2023. (These are slightly higher rates than the U.S. adult obesity rate) Estimate from the centers for disease control and preventionThis means that from 2021 to 2023, approximately 40% of U.S. adults were obese. )

Benjamin Rader, a computational epidemiologist at Boston Children's Hospital and an author of the study, said the results were not uniform across demographics or geographic regions.

“Obesity has been on the decline in the United States as a whole, especially in the South, but this has not been the case in some regions,” he said. “Obesity among Black Americans also decreased significantly, but obesity among Asian Americans increased.”

Rader said the decline in the South was notable because the region observed the highest per capita intake of weight loss drugs, based on researchers' analysis of insurance claims. But he acknowledged that the possible link needed further investigation.

The study authors also noted that obese people in the South had a disproportionately high number of COVID-19 deaths, which may have influenced the overall data.

Dr. Michael Weintraub, an endocrinologist and clinical assistant professor at New York University's Grossman School of Medicine, said the results are consistent with the following: Recent data from the CDC Results showed a slight decrease in obesity prevalence among U.S. adults from 2021 to 2023 compared to 2017 to 2020 (although severe obesity increased during this period). ).

“This data is interesting and holds the promise that we may be on the cusp of changing this obesity epidemic,” said Weintraub, who was not involved in the new study. “However, I would hesitate to call the value of this downward trend in 2023 a trend.”

Even if weight loss drugs were the main factor in reducing obesity, experts say further studies over longer periods of time are needed to assess the true effects of new drugs.

“We know these drugs are very effective, but we need a few more years to see if this is really a trend, or if it's just a small spike and we're back to normal, or if things get much worse. Dr. Tannaz Moin, an endocrinologist and associate professor of medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles, said he was not involved in the study.

Moyn also pointed out that the new study only analyzed preparations of GLP-1 weight loss drugs (a category that includes Ozempic and Mounjaro). This type of drug is used to treat diabetes and obesity by reducing a person's appetite and food intake. This drug mimics the hormone that makes you feel full.

But GLP-1 drugs are only part of the prescription for treating obesity, and a more comprehensive study of different drugs could better capture changing trends, Moyn said. said. Weight loss drugs are also expensive, which can skew data about who can receive treatment.

Additionally, the study used insurance claims data, meaning those who were uninsured or who purchased weight loss drugs out of pocket were likely not included in the results.

Moin said he was surprised by the decline in BMI seen in older people.

“This group is not necessarily the group that I think is the biggest user of GLP-1 drugs, because a lot of them are in the Medicare age group,” she says, adding that weight loss drugs are the most popular for people on Medicare. may be difficult to obtain, he added. The Biden administration recently proposed a rule that would require Medicare and Medicaid to cover weight loss drugs for people seeking obesity treatment.

However, Weintraub cautioned that the observed decline does not necessarily indicate a long-term decline.

“We've been fooled until now by fluctuations in obesity prevalence,” he says. “We were excited about the downward trend in childhood obesity rates announced by the CDC in the early 2000s, but in the years since, obesity rates have increased even more.”

Source: www.nbcnews.com

Tesla’s market value skyrockets by nearly $150 billion in a single day, marking its best performance in a decade

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On Thursday, Tesla shares surged to their lowest point in over a decade after Elon Musk confidently predicted a sales increase, reassuring investors about the company’s commitment to expanding its electric car sales. The stock closed with nearly a 22% increase, marking its largest gain. By the end of trading, Tesla’s market value had risen by almost $150 billion.

Musk anticipated a sales growth of 20-30% for the next year, announced plans to unveil an affordable car in the first half of 2025, and highlighted efforts to enhance profit margins through production cost reductions in the third quarter.

The stock price peaked at $262.2 during trading, with approximately 200 million shares exchanged. This jump was the company’s biggest since May 2013, reversing recent losses from concerns that Musk’s focus on new projects like robotaxis was diverting attention.

Musk is striving to transition Tesla from a leading electric vehicle company to an AI and robotics enterprise, although a detailed plan for this shift has not yet been formulated. Investors had sold Tesla stock earlier due to insufficient information about the robotaxi initiative.

Ed Egilinsky of Direxion said, “Some skeptics view this rally as reassuring, especially after the pre-earnings release stock sell-off in October, as the financial results exceeded expectations.”

During the last quarter, Musk made daring company announcements focusing on ventures beyond cars, such as driverless taxis and humanoid robots, causing concerns among investors about shrinking profit margins already affected by price reductions.

Tesla reported third-quarter profit margins surpassing Wall Street forecasts, with production costs at record lows of approximately $35,100 per vehicle. The company also revealed $326 million revenue from its autopilot software, Fully Self-Driving (FSD), integrated into the Cybertruck and other autonomous features.

FSD serves as the foundation for Tesla’s robotaxi program.

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Musk also expressed his belief that Tesla vehicles will soon offer paid driverless ride-hailing services, reiterating his commitment at the robotaxi event. However, this plan may encounter regulatory hurdles.

Despite the reassurances on Wednesday, not all investors are placated by Tesla’s direction.

Ross Gerber, CEO of Gerber Kawasaki Wealth and Investment Management and a significant Tesla investor, stated that robotaxis and AI are not the core businesses he wants Musk to prioritize.

“The good old days were when Elon Musk was sleeping in the factory, working tirelessly every day. He shouldn’t be distracted by ventures that stray from his main focus,” Gerber emphasized.

Source: www.theguardian.com

Why has anxiety increased over the past decade?

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In recent years, I’ve noticed more and more people sharing their experiences with anxiety, whether it’s celebrities opening up in interviews or friends chatting over drinks. This got me thinking. Are more people experiencing anxiety these days, or are they just more willing to talk about it?

This apparent increase seems to be seen in studies on the prevalence of anxiety, but when you dig into the details, the picture is not so clear. As for what’s behind this potential increase, the COVID-19 pandemic is the obvious culprit, but it’s not the only one; economic and political factors may also be at play.

First, let’s look at the pandemic. “This was a phenomenon that none of us had ever experienced before, and it was a global problem that understandably caused a lot of stress,” he says. David Smithson at the charity Anxiety UK. “Who isn’t worried?”

growing anxiety

As the pandemic began, anxiety levels increased and the World Health Organization reported: Anxiety disorders increased by 25.6% In 2020, lockdowns and other restrictions were introduced and people faced an unknown virus and its impact on their lives. However, this increase was not sustained, according to a review of 177 studies targeting people in high-income countries. Levels decline as pandemic continues.

This is consistent with Smithson’s experience. “We have seen an increase in demand for our support services for about two years since the start of the pandemic,” he says. “Over the past 12 months or so, we have seen a drop in demand…

Source: www.newscientist.com

Exposure: A decade ago, the auto industry was alerted to the increased theft risk of keyless car technology.

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The automobile industry disregarded warnings from over a decade ago about the risks of keyless technology in modern vehicles leading to a rise in vehicle thefts, as revealed by an investigation in the automotive sector. The observer can disclose.

Legal and computer experts had cautioned that keyless entry and vehicle software were vulnerable to being “hacked” due to inadequate security measures.

Findings indicated that car owners could potentially face theft without any evidence of forced entry in the future.

The surge in vehicle crimes through keyless entry has resulted in record hikes in car insurance costs, with some drivers now confronted with premiums exceeding £2,000 annually. Car thefts in England and Wales reached a decade-high in the year leading up to March 2023.

Observers discovered the following:

Devices camouflaged as gaming consoles, referred to as ’emulators’, are utilized by thieves to mimic electronic keys and steal vehicles within 20 seconds. This is applicable to Hyundai and Kia models.

The ‘smart’ devices are available for purchase online for up to £5,000, allowing criminals to breach a vehicle’s computer system and program a new key.

Police in various regions report a high rate of keyless car thefts and are resolving some cases within 24 hours, even with CCTV footage available.

Nick Freeman, an attorney specializing in the automotive industry, remarked: “The automotive sector was neglectful as they were forewarned about this new technology emerging. It’s a dire situation where individuals are compelled to pay exorbitant insurance premiums.

In November, Jaguar Land Rover announced a £10m investment to enhance the security of high-target car models manufactured between 2018 and 2022. The observer Investigations highlighted similar security vulnerabilities in other vehicles, prompting Hyundai to acknowledge this weekend that criminals had “utilized a device to unlawfully disable smart key lock systems” to access their vehicles. They affirmed the immediate implementation of preventive measures.

A report from 2011 by researchers at the University of California and the University of Washington indicated the potential for attacks on the software in contemporary cars, potentially allowing breaching the car’s telematics system to unlock doors and start the engine without authorization.

An article published in the April 2012 Computer Law and Security Review by specialist barrister Stephen Mason highlighted the vulnerability of keyless systems, warning that vehicles could be stolen without any forced entry unless security enhancements were introduced.

Mr. Mason expressed, “There was a sense of complacency and lack of concern in the automotive sector that hesitated to invest in proper security. We now have state-of-the-art cars with advanced technology, yet owners rely on traditional steering locks for theft protection.”

The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) refutes claims of security lapses in the industry, suggesting it is engaged in an ongoing battle with criminals. SMMT CEO Mike Hawes stated: “Automakers continuously introduce new technology to outsmart criminals. This investment has significantly reduced vehicle theft over the past three decades.

“Manufacturers are continually strengthening their security systems, but technology alone cannot prevent all thefts, which is why our industry collaborates closely with law enforcement, insurers, and other security stakeholders.”

The Home Office reports an overall reduction in vehicle crime, including thefts from vehicles. A spokesperson emphasized the importance of law enforcement in addressing motor vehicle crime and commended their commitment to pursuing thorough investigations.

“We have made significant strides in combating vehicle crime, which has decreased by 39% since 2010. New regulations in the Criminal Justice Bill will outlaw electronic devices used in vehicle theft.”

Source: www.theguardian.com

It is possible that global temperatures surpassed 1.5°C of warming a decade ago.

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Activists participating in COP28 climate change conference to be held in Dubai in December 2023

Sean Gallup/Getty Images

The 1.5°C limit was exceeded in 2010 or 2011, and the world is already 1.8°C warmer than it was before the industrial revolution, according to researchers using sponges to find out how seawater and air temperatures in the Caribbean have changed through 2018. The researchers who investigated this claim. Past 300 years.

“The increase in Earth's average surface temperature was 0.5 degrees Celsius greater than currently accepted estimates.” Malcolm McCulloch at the University of Western Australia. “What our research shows is that global warming scenarios are 10 years away, or even further.”

But other climate scientists argue that data from a single region is not a reliable way to understand past global temperatures.

The 2015 Paris Agreement called on countries to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, but it did not define exactly what this meant. So climate scientists compiling the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report defined it as the average temperature from 1850 to 1900.

By this time, the Earth had already begun to warm as a result of emissions from burning fossil fuels. However, because there were few temperature measurements before 1850, there is great uncertainty about how much warming was caused by fossil fuels during the early industrial era. Therefore, choosing 1850–1900 as the baseline was pragmatic.

But McCulloch and his colleagues think they have discovered exactly what fossil fuel-induced warming was early on after analyzing samples of very long-lived sponges (Ceratoporella nicolsoni) forms a calcium carbonate skeleton.

The 10-centimeter-wide corpora cavernosa could be about 400 years old, team members say amos winter at Indiana State University. “These sponges grow very slowly.”

The sponges were collected by divers at depths of 33 to 91 meters off the coast of Puerto Rico. Although the original goal was to study the ocean's pH in the past, the researchers also measured the ratio of strontium to calcium, which varied with water temperature when calcium carbonate was formed.

Researchers noticed a close correlation between temperatures “recorded” by sponges and the average surface temperature of the Earth measured by instruments, especially after 1960, when measurements became more reliable. That means there is.

“This is kind of a serendipitous discovery, but the connection is very strong,” McCulloch says. “They are changing proportionately to the world average. The main differences occur when instrumental records are the poorest.”

The researchers therefore calculated the average global temperature before the industrial revolution back to 1,700 degrees Celsius, assuming that the sponges accurately reflected this.

The researchers believe their study should be taken into account when assessing whether the IPCC has exceeded the 1.5°C limit. “The bottom line is yes, the IPCC should take this issue seriously,” McCulloch said.

He also thinks climate modelers need to take the findings into account. If previous carbon emissions are causing more warming than thought, the impact of further emissions may be underestimated, he says.

But other climate scientists are far from convinced. “In my view, it would be imprudent to claim that an instrumental record is wrong based on paleocavernoids from one region of the world,” he says. michael man at the University of Pennsylvania. “That doesn't make sense to me. That said, our own early research supports the idea that there was at least another 0.2 degrees Celsius of warming by the late 19th century.”

In fact, anthropogenic warming may have started thousands of years ago. According to the early Anthropocene hypothesis proposed by William Ruddiman The University of Virginia announced that the first farmers' clearing of forests and creation of rice paddies produced enough carbon dioxide and methane to stop the planet from cooling and entering a new ice age.

Recent studies by other researchers have provided increasing evidence to support this hypothesis, but it is still far from being widely accepted.

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Source: www.newscientist.com