A University of Wisconsin animal study shows that extended periods without eating, not decreased calorie intake, drive aging-resistant metabolic benefits. Highlights · Diet schedules with significantly reduced calorie intake boost insulin sensitivity only when extended fasting periods are incorporated in mice. · Fasting also extends lifespan in mice, while reduced…

A human clinical trial shows that nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) improves metabolism in aged women with prediabetes. Highlights · This clinical study is the first to report the effectiveness of NMN on human health. · The researchers show that NMN increases blood cell NAD+ levels and improves muscle insulin sensitivity and…

In potential breakthrough research, experts are measuring cell and tissue decline to better understand how we age and to make better aging therapeutics. How do we define aging? Historically, we’ve counted the number of times we live while the Earth orbits the sun (chronological age in years), but nowadays we…

Written by Brett Weiss October 2019 Schizophrenia affects about 1% of the world’s population and has presented throughout human cultures and ethnicities throughout recorded history (Srinivasan et al., 2016). Furthermore, the disease seems specific to humans. Hallucinations and delusions, thought disorders, and impairments of higher order cognitive functions characterize patients…

Written by Brett Weiss October 2019 Many who use nicotine products report that it helps them ‘to focus’ and ‘concentrate.’ Research suggests that they may be onto something in that nicotine improves ‘attention’ and ‘working memory’ with acute dosages. To what degree do these improved cognitive capacities result from avoidance…

Written by Brett Weiss August 2019 I hit the road out of Tucson in search of the Pacific Coast and the true American West. Well, perhaps not exactly; but the road trip did not disappoint and left an imprint of the West on my psyche. In reality, I needed to…

Written by Brett Weiss October 2019 Biological differences clearly exist between males and females. Major biological differences that distinguish the sexes relate to brain structure and hormonal regulation of brain activity, which result in differences in behavior. Defining these differences has proven difficult and very complex. …

Written by Brett Weiss September 2019 What if the synchronous activation of a network of brain regions accounts for each individual’s sense of ‘self?’ Neuroscientists have identified such a network which activates both during ‘mind wandering’ and ‘unconstrained self-referential thought.’ Termed the ‘default mode network,’ this network of brain regions…

Written by Brett Weiss September 2019 Current fascination with the concept of consciousness stems from many factors. Recent technology has paved the way for development of techniques in physiological psychology, neuropsychology, and functional brain imaging, revealing correlations of neural processes and features of conscious experience. Furthermore, recent advances in computer…