Methuselah has been a great year. The progress in the field of longevity has been ample; it is certainly time to commemorate accomplishments for 2009. Research on topics such as calorie control, rapamycin and resveratrol is progress attributed to longevity realization. Widening of arms, from other biologists and even having Nobel Prize in Medicine for the field of anti-aging has made research more public.
Predictions for the coming year will soon be made public by Methuselah Foundation. However, let us look back on the achievement for this past year. The founder, Dave Gobel, has enumerated the most astounding findings for 2009;
The David Gobel’s Top List
1. Rapamycin
Rapamycin is a drug that actually prolongs the life of mice. Despite not applicable for human, it is holding great hopes for longevity research. Dave Sharp was awarded the Mprize Lifespan Achievement Award for this advancement in research.
2. Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol)
The intake of Vitamin D3 is becoming more than necessary; it has proven to have various anti-cancer mechanisms. Most people are consuming a lower than Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA). People, who stay in the north or too much inside should take precaution or try to gain more vitamin D3
3. Organovo – 3D Tissue Printing
Dr. Gabor Forgacs, University of Missouri is in the vertex of inventing new technology. It is a technology facilitating transplant by eliminating reliance on donors. With the use of new technology, in the near future, there will be no need for donors of organs and other human-bio-organisms.
4. Laboratory Grown Bladders
Dr. Anthony Atala, Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine is on the same track. The possibility of growing bladders in laboratories will facilitate organ replacement.
5. Continuous-Flow Ventricular Assist Devices
This is a device whereby a 3-ounce tiny device is attached aside the heart through a surgery. Patients that are in a desperate search for heart transplants are given more time. This technology might even in the future replace heart transplant by taking over the whole pumping mechanism of the heart.
These five-progress mentioned will all prolong life expectancy and survival rate. Besides, longevity aid, other medical improvements worth listing as top steps forward for 2009 are:
6. Tooth Implants In A Day
Previously tedious recovery processes for dental surgery are now outdated. New technology allows surgeons to get precision and accurate data about nerve position and bone density. This allows exact and stable fitting.
7. Lyric hearing aid
It is a new device that allows first hearing aid for several months without the need for implantation. InSound Medical has developed a bean-sized device that lasts for 4 months.
The coming 2010 beholds more studies and realization towards immortality and healthy living. Methuselah Foundation, with the help of performing scientists around the world, is gradually reaching its mission to extend life expectancy.
Mon, Dec 7, 2009
Anti Aging, Gerontology, Health And Aging