Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin Cells throughout the body naturally accumulate DNA mutations as we age. With Alzheimer’s disease, mutations occur in brain cells at a much faster rate than normal. Thanks to a recent study from researchers at Brigham Women’s Hospital and Boston Children’s Hospital we may be one step closer to understanding why this happens. Whole-genome sequencing of more than 300 brain cells uncovered significant oxidative DNA damage in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex, two of the primary regions Alzheimer’s affects. Widespread mutations to the genome appear to be related to increased exposure to reactive oxidative species, produced in response to the accumulation of tau and amyloid-β proteins during Alzheimer’s. This study by Miller et al. not only sheds light on underlying mechanisms of Alzheimer’s disease but also the natural consequences of aging. Oxidative DNA damage comes in different forms from both external and internal … [Read more...] about Study Uncovers A New Way To Think About Alzheimer’s Disease
What stimulus most likely causes willow trees to increase the production of salicylic acid
Investing in Wine With the NBA’s Elite Players
It's reality check time and we are opening the holiday-shortened trading week in a bear market in the S&P 500 after U.S. stocks had their worst week last week since March of 2020. The Federal Reserve hiked the federal funds rate by three quarters of a percent last week as it tries to cool inflation. I know, I said that would be "out of character" and "off script" on last week's podcast . So, you know the situation is pretty serious, and the Federal Reserve does not have inflation under control. No central bank does, for that matter. It's going to take aggressive interest rate hikes to get to what the Fed calls a normal rate environment (3.4%), which means we may very well see another 75 basis point hike at the Fed's next meeting in July. While that 3.4% may be normal, if you look at the last 50 years, it is not normal when you look at the past decade, which has been characterized by accommodative monetary policy via low interest rates and low inflation well under 2%. This is new … [Read more...] about Investing in Wine With the NBA’s Elite Players
Debunking 6 Inflation Myths
Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin If you’ve pumped gas, bought groceries, traveled or dined out in recent months, you don’t need me to tell you that inflation is having a significant impact on your purchasing power. While many of today’s workers have never seen inflation this high during their lifetimes, most people in or nearing retirement age remember it well. In fact, I was just beginning my career as a wealth advisor the last time we experienced rates this high. Yet, the current rate of 8.3% pales in comparison to the rates we saw in the late 1970s and early 1980s. By 1980, inflation had topped 14%, and unemployment was over 7.5%, based on historical data from the Federal Reserve (Fed). While most economists do not expect broad inflation measures to reach double-digits, the current environment has been challenging for many individuals and families trying to find creative ways to make their budgets stretch further. Because the forces behind inflation are … [Read more...] about Debunking 6 Inflation Myths
This Week In Credit Card News: Average Card Interest Rate Tops 20%; Inflation Wrecking Personal Budgets
Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin Average Credit Card Interest Rates Have Topped 20% Rising interest rates have pushed the annual percentage rates on credit cards to new highs. The average annual percentage rate on a new credit card is now more than 20%, according to LendingTree’s tracker. It’s the first time that rates have topped 20% since the tracker began in 2018. And rates are poised to go even higher across the board. Credit card balances reached $841 billion in the first three months of the year, according to a report from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. In the same timeframe, 229 million people opened new credit card accounts, an increase from the previous quarter. [ CNBC ] Inflation Causing 85% Of Americans to Adjust Their Essential Purchases You don’t have to follow the news to know inflation is raging. Inflation in May 2022 was up 8.6% from the past twelve months. A quarter of respondents selected that they only have a little … [Read more...] about This Week In Credit Card News: Average Card Interest Rate Tops 20%; Inflation Wrecking Personal Budgets
Climate change concerns rise as heavy rain batters Assam, Meghalaya
Flood-affected people stand on a road damaged by the flood waters after heavy rains in Nagaon district, Assam, on May 19, 2022. (Photo: Anuwar Hazarika/Reuters) Large swathes of Northeast India, especially Assam and Meghalaya, are experiencing extreme weather this year, as unusually heavy rain in May and June cause heavy flooding and deadly landslides, which experts say can be linked to some extent to climate change. In Assam, at least 108 people have died so far as flood waters triggered by torrential rain inundated towns, villages, paddy fields, forests and wildlife sanctuaries. Millions have been affected or marooned across the state. Meghalaya has fared no better, with landslides and flash floods caused by heavy rain blocking roads, washing away bridges and snapping power supply. Arunachal Pradesh, Tripura and Manipur have also reported landslides and floods. IMD data show Assam received 398.7 mm of rain from May 1-31, against a normal of 286.7 mm. (Photo: AFP) … [Read more...] about Climate change concerns rise as heavy rain batters Assam, Meghalaya
Simple glucose-meter test can be used to monitor COVID-19 antibody levels
Representational image (Source: Reuters) Researchers have developed a simple, glucose-meter test that can help people monitor their own antibody levels against the SARS-CoV-2 virus, that causes COVID-19. The team from Johns Hopkins University in the US noted that over-the-counter COVID-19 tests can quickly show whether a person is infected with SARS-CoV-2. However, if a person has a positive result, there is no at-home test to assess how long they will remain protected against reinfection. In the Journal of the American Chemical Society, researchers described a simple, accurate glucose-meter-based test incorporating a novel fusion protein. They said that consumers could someday use this assay to monitor their own SARS-CoV-2 antibody levels. Vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 and infection with the virus itself can guard against future infections for a while, but it's unclear exactly how long that protection lasts, the researchers said. A good indication of immune protection is a … [Read more...] about Simple glucose-meter test can be used to monitor COVID-19 antibody levels