Science Fiction
Dictionary
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
 |
First Methuselah Mouse Rejuvenation 'M Prize' Awarded
The first Methuselah Foundation Rejuvenation 'M Prize" for Reversing Aging in Middle-Aged Mice Using Techniques Applicable to Human Beings has been awarded to Dr. Stephen Spindler, who lead an experiment to make mice biologically younger while extending their lifespans.
The research was first reported in the Proceedings of the National Academy of science. Dr. Spindler demonstrated that middle-aged mice could achieve an average 15% longer life, accompanied by significant reductions in deaths from cancer. DNA microarray analysis showed that the mice actually became younger; this video of the elderly mice sprinting around in their cages makes its own statement. The results were achieved using calorie restriction in a group of mice starting at age 19 months.
The best news at all for those of us who cannot see imposing a calorie restriction diet on ourselves (even if caged) can take heart from this exerpt from Dr. Spindler's paper:
The Methuselah Foundation bears some striking similarities to the Ansari XPrize foundation, which recently awarded the first XPrize to SpaceShipOne.
Science fiction writers have already blazed the path when it comes to setting up foundations for longevity research. Perhaps the most famous early example is that of the Howard Families, from Robert Heinlein's 1941 novel Methuselah's Children. In the story, the Howard Foundation is started in the mid-1800's by Ira Howard, who died at 48 - of old age. He gave his life's fortune as a bequest to found an organization that would seek to lengthen the span of human life. The best way at that time was to make use of basic breeding principles to encourage marriages between people with healthy vigorous grandparents. Several hundred years (and a dozen or so generations) later, the descendants of the Howard Families typically lived to 120+ years of age.
This story has many examples of devices that have now come to pass (like the traffic control camera, a machine that searches for news based on your input like google news, and the Joy-boat junior that a private citizen can ride into orbit), so why not longevity?
If you are interested longevity research based on genetic heritage, read about Yoda - The World's Oldest Mouse. Yoda's lifespan was achieved without calorie restriction - the most common method of achieving longevity in mice and other mammals.
Read more at the Scientist Wins the First Methuselah Foundation Rejuvenation "M Prize" for Reversing Aging in Middle-Aged Mice Using Techniques Applicable to Human Beings press release. Dr. Spindler's results are summarized in this abstract.
Importantly, these results suggest that it should be possible to use rapid treatments with pharmaceuticals and other compounds to identify agents that mimic the rapid changes in gene expression caused by caloric restriction. The gene expression biomarkers of caloric restriction can also be used to develop pharmaceuticals targeted to its genomic effects.
The Methuselah Foundation is supported by individuals who are no longer willing to stand by and do nothing while the diseases of aging disable and then take their irreplaceable loved ones away. They are taking matters into their own hands and inviting others to join with them to cure and reverse aging. Among the over 100 donors and sponsors, including the X PRIZE Foundation, Foresight Institute, the Life Extension Foundation, Dr. William Haseltine -- Founder of Human Genome Sciences and Dr. Raymond Kurzweil -- noted futurist and entrepreneur.
Scroll down for more stories in the same category. (Story submitted 11/28/2004)
Follow this kind of news @Technovelgy.| Email | RSS | Blog It | Stumble | del.icio.us | Digg | Reddit |
Would
you like to contribute a story tip?
It's easy:
Get the URL of the story, and the related sf author, and add
it here.
Comment/Join discussion ( 3 )
Related News Stories - (" Medical ")
Brain Implant Is Able To Capture Your Inner Dialogue
'So you see, you can hide nothing from me.'
'Pregnancy Humanoids' From China Replace Moms
'A great many of these synthetic babies were made...' - David H. Keller, 1928.
Bacteria Turns Plastic Into Pain Relief? That Gives Me An Idea.
'I guess there's nobody round this table who doesn't have a Crosswell [tapeworm] working for him in the small intestine.'
Heart Patches Grown In The Lab Repair Hearts
I'm hoping that this procedure becomes a normal part of medical practice!
Technovelgy (that's tech-novel-gee!) is devoted to the creative science inventions and ideas of sf authors. Look for the Invention Category that interests you, the Glossary, the Invention Timeline, or see what's New.
Science Fiction
Timeline
1600-1899
1900-1939
1940's 1950's
1960's 1970's
1980's 1990's
2000's 2010's
Current News
Proof Of Robothood - Not A Person
'Who are you people? - Show 'em.'
Dancing Robots Taught Dance Moves
'A clockwork figure would be the thing for you...'
Indonesian Clans Battle
'The observation vehicle was of that peculiar variety used in conveying a large number of people across rough terrain.'
The 'Last Mile' In China Crowded With Delivery Robots
Yes, it's a delivery robot. On wheels.
Tornyol Microdrone Kills Mosquitoes
'The real border was defended by... a swarm of quasi-independent aerostats.'
PLATO Spacecraft, Hunter Of Habitable Planets, Now Ready
'I ... set my automatic astronomical instruments to searching for a habitable planet.'
Factory Humanoid Robots Built By Humanoid Robots
'...haven't you a section of the factory where only robot labor is employed?'
iPhone Air Fulfils Jobs' Promise From 2007 - A Giant Screen!
'... oblongs were all over the floor and surfaces.'
ChatGPT Now Participates in Group Chats
'...the city was their laboratory in human psychology.'
iPhone Pocket All Sold Out!
'A long, strong, slender net...'
Did The Yautja Have These First?
What a marvel of ingenuity the little device was!
Jetson ONE Air Races Begin, Can Air Polo Be Far Behind?
'If you're one of those rarities who haven't attended a rocket-polo "carnage", let me tell you it's a colorful affair.'
Will Space Stations Have Large Interior Spaces Again?
'They filed clumsily into the battleroom, like children in a swimming pool for the first time, clinging to the handholds along the side.'
Mornine Sales Robot
'Robot-salesmen were everywhere, gesturing...'
Bipedal Robot Floats Gently While Walking
'a walking balloon proceeded with long strides of its aluminum legs...'
Musk Idea Of Cars Talking To Each Other Predicted 70 Years Ago
'My cars talk to one another.'
