Rejuvenation of woman’s skin could tackle diseases of ageing–BBC News, April 8, 2022
Cambridge United Kingdom (UK) researchers have rejuvenated a 53-year-old woman’s skin cells so they are the equivalent of a 23-year-old’s—and they believe that they can do the same thing with other tissues in the body, to develop treatments for age-related diseases such as diabetes, heart disease and neurological disorders. The technology is built on the techniques used to create Dolly the cloned sheep more than 25 years ago.
It’s over for fossil fuels: IPCC spells out what’s needed to avert climate disaster – The Guardian, April 4, 2022
No need to beat around the bush—as the latest IPCC report makes it plain—“It’s now or never, if we want to limit global warming to 1.5° Celsius…Without immediate and deep emissions reductions across all sectors, it will be impossible.” The implication: it must be over for the biggest culprit: fossil fuels. The good news: “Having the right policies, infrastructure and technology in place to enable changes to our lifestyles and behavior can result in a 40-70% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2050,” and “protecting and restoring nature can deliver both large-scale cuts in emissions by ending the razing of forests and large-scale removal of CO2.”
Humans can fight viruses by breathing deeply–Harvard study shows how it works–Good News Network, April 10, 2022
The average person will take more than 600 million breaths in a lifetime and every breath stretches the lungs’ tissues with each inhale and relaxes them with each exhale. The mere motions of breathing are known to influence vital functions of the lungs, including the maintenance of healthy tissue. Now, new research from the Wyss Institute at Harvard University reveals that this constant pattern of stretching and relaxing does even more—it generates immune responses against invading viruses, such as COVID-19.
The four-day work week: Which countries have embraced it and how’s it going so far?–Euro News, April 4, 2022
This article shows that the four-day work week is a global phenom and one ignited by the COVID-19 pandemic. Hailed as the future of employee productivity and work-life balance, advocates suggest that when implemented, worker satisfaction increases, and so does productivity. So, which countries have embraced the idea and how is it actually going so far?
Help! Brain overload–AEON, April 1, 2022
As tasks mount, our brain’s ability to juggle them goes down. However, neuro-ergonomic tactics and tricks (from analogue, digital or organic gadgets) can relieve the cognitive burden. One such idea is to develop the interdependence we have on each other for problem-solving, decision-making, and even memory (communities of knowledge). Another is physical activity: it expands the space in our minds. .
A Striking Stat: Gen Less-Well
Only 21% of Gen Z (the oldest are 25) report strong mental, physical and social wellbeing (vs. 29% of the total population). They’re 1.5 times less likely to be able to manage stress effectively and cite higher levels of loneliness (53% vs. 40% of the total population).
