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Snacking on Grapes May Add 4-5 Years to Lifespans of Those Who Regularly Eat Fast Food

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Photo by Bill Williams
Photo by Bill Williams

New research suggests that snacking on grapes might combat the effects of consuming a junk food diet—flushing out the refined fats and sugars of processed food.

Eating the grapes led to “unique gene expression patterns, reduced fatty liver, and extension of lifespan” for animals consuming the high-fat diet, said Dr. John Pezzuto who led the team at Western New England University.

Pezzuto, who has authored over 600 studies, called it “truly remarkable.”

“It adds an entirely new dimension to the old saying ‘you are what you eat.’”

In a series of experiments, mice gorged on a high fat diet, similar to those consumed in western countries.

They also received over a cup of daily powdered grape supplement. These lab rodents had less fatty liver—and lived longer than those who didn’t.

The effect was an alteration of gene expression. As shown in this paper, fatty liver—which affects around 25% of humans and can eventually lead to liver cancer—is prevented or delayed. The genes responsible for the development of fatty liver were altered in a beneficial way by feeding grapes.

In addition to genes related to fatty liver, the researchers found increased levels of antioxidant genes after the grape-supplemented diets.

CHECK OUT: When Blueberries and Grapes Are Combined, a Dramatic Decline in Memory Loss and Aging – Study

“Many people think about taking dietary supplements that boast high antioxidant activity,” explained Pezzuto. “In actual fact, though, you cannot consume enough of an antioxidant to make a big difference. But if you change the level of antioxidant gene expression, as we observed with grapes added to the diet, the result is a catalytic response that can make a real difference.”

Precisely how this relates to humans remains to be seen, but it is clear that the grapes actually change the expression of genes—in more places than the liver, too, explained the professor of pharmaceutics.

In a separate study recently published in the journal Antioxidants by Pezzuto and his team, it was found that grape consumption alters gene expression in the brain. It also had positive effects on behavior and cognition that were impaired by a high-fat diet, suggesting the alteration of gene expression produced this beneficial response.

More studies are required, but it is notable that a team led by Silverman at UCLA reported that the daily administration of grapes had a protective effect on brain metabolism. It now may be suggested this is due to alteration of gene expression.

RELATED: 10 Superfood Combinations to Improve your Health–Like Apples with Leafy Greens to Lower Blood Pressure

Although it is not an exact science to translate years of lifespan from a mouse to a human, Pezzuto’s best estimate is the change observed in the study would correspond to an additional 4-5 years in the life of a junk-food-eating human.

“These data illustrate the extraordinary influence of nutrigenomics, a burgeoning field of investigation that will augment our appreciation of diet and health.”

The research, which was partly funded by the California Table Grape Commission, was published in the journal Foods.

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This Paralympic Snowboarder Sees Her Adversity as the Greatest Opportunity to Inspire – WATCH

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LightbeamTV
LightbeamTV

At the age of nineteen, Amy Purdy, who was an avid snowboarder, experienced flu-like symptoms that were later diagnosed as Bacterial Meningitis, a deadly blood infection.

Amy was given less than a 2% chance of living.

Losing both of her legs, hearing in her left ear, her kidney and her spleen, Amy was forced to reassess how she would embark on new adventures and achieve her dreams.

In essence, Amy had to decide how she wanted her life to go and how she would write the next chapter of her life.

While leaning into change is never easy, Amy embraced it as an opportunity. She promised herself two things: one, she would get back on her snowboard. “I was so passionate about snowboarding, which really is what got me through my darkest days. That and being grateful that I was alive.”

And two: something positive would be born out of this experience. That’s been her steadfast determination ever since.

Amy’s transition back into daily life was hard-fought, and she learned first-hand the myriad challenges that people with disabilities face every day. What struck a real chord was the complete lack of resources for engaging in active sports—which brought her the most happiness.

WATCH: One-legged Woman is a World Class Salsa Dancer and Inspiration to All

Instead of closing that chapter of enjoying and competing in snowboarding, Amy instead co-founded Adaptive Action Sports, a nonprofit organization focused on supporting children and adults with disabilities who want to participate in active sports.

“She inspires, not only these athletes that are in a similar situation that she has gone through, but she helps everyone believe in themselves and believe anything they put their minds to,” says Morgan Whitehouse from Adaptive Action Sports.

“As much as I’m helping other people through this organization, this organization is helping me,” says Amy.

Amy is also a three-time Paralympic medalist snowboarder, a motivational speaker, and a NY Times Best Selling author.

Watch the inspiring film from LightbeamTV, the first streaming platform dedicated to inspiring, empathy-sparking content.

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LOOK: Toddler Without Hands Gets a Puppy Without Paw: It’s Fate and ‘A Beautiful Thing’

Reading, Doing Crafts, Playing Instruments or Games Associated With 23% Lower Risk of Dementia

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Rod Waddington, CC license
Rod Waddington, CC license

Doing crafts, playing an instrument, or reading a book might help lower your risk of dementia by a significant margin, according to new research.

The meta-analysis reviewed available studies on two million people, comparing the effects of cognitive activities, physical activities, and social activities, to the risk of getting dementia.

The research published in the journal Neurology—the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology—widely defined leisure pastimes as things people engaged in for enjoyment.

After adjusting for factors such as age, sex and education, researchers found that leisure activities overall were linked to a reduced risk of dementia—especially mental activities.

• Mental activities consisted of intellectual pursuits like reading or writing for pleasure, watching television, listening to the radio, playing games or musical instruments, using a computer and making crafts. Researchers found that people who participated in these activities had a 23% lower risk of dementia.

• Physical activities included walking, running, swimming, bicycling, using exercise machines, playing sports, yoga, and dancing. Researchers found that people who participated in these activities had a 17% lower risk of dementia.

• Social activities mainly referred to activities that involved communication with others and included attending a class, joining a social club, volunteering, visiting with relatives or friends, or attending religious activities. Researchers found that people who participated in these activities had a 7% lower risk of dementia.

RELATED: Large Study Suggests Doing Chores May Be Linked to a 21% Reduced Risk For Alzheimer’s Disease

“Previous studies have shown that leisure activities were associated with various health benefits, such as a lower cancer risk, a reduction of atrial fibrillation, and a person’s perception of their own well-being,” said study author Lin Lu, PhD, of Peking University Sixth Hospital in Beijing, China. “However, there is conflicting evidence of the role of leisure activities in the prevention of dementia.”

“Our research found that leisure activities like making crafts, playing sports, or volunteering were linked to a reduced risk of dementia.”

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The team reviewed 38 studies from around the world, which together looked at over two million people who did not have dementia and followed them for at least three years. During the study, 74,700 developed the disease.

“This meta-analysis suggests that being active has benefits, and there are plenty of activities that are easy to incorporate into daily life that may be beneficial to the brain,” said Lu.

“Leisure activities may reduce the risk of dementia. Future studies should include larger sample sizes and longer follow-up time to reveal more links between leisure activities and dementia.”

CHECK OUT: Listening to Music With a Groove Actually Boosts Brain Function

This study can’t prove that these activities actually cause the lower risk for dementia, only that there may be a connection. A limitation of the study was that people reported their own physical and mental activity, so they may not have reported the activities correctly.

The study, published in the August 10 issue of Neurology, was supported by the Natural Science Foundation of China, China Association for Science and Technology.

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Little League Batter Hit in the Head Embraces Devastated Pitcher in Inspiring Display Sportsmanship –WATCH

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Courtesy Little League Baseball and Softball
Courtesy Little League Baseball and Softball

At the Southwest Region championship in Little League Baseball, the crowd was treated to not only the best performances from the boys aged 10-12, but their best manners, as well.

One of the balls thrown by the pitcher for Texas East got away from him and beaned the batter in the head, knocking off his helmet and leaving him lying on the ground.

The 12-year-old Oklahoma player got up and signaled he was alright, and walked to first base, as fans in Waco, Texas, applauded him.

Even though Isaiah Jarvis recovered, he noticed from 90 feet away that the pitcher was having a much harder time.

Kaiden Shelton was hanging his head, clearly upset after his last pitch hit Isaiah in the head.

That’s when something unusual happened. Isaiah dropped his helmet at the bag and walked slowly to the pitcher’s mound where Kaiden was still struggling.

He wrapped his arms around the pitcher, and began assuring him that everything was okay.

Isaiah told CNN he wanted to “make sure that he knows that I’m OK— that I’ll be OK.”

“You’re doing great,” Isaiah said in his ear.

LOOK: Nebraska Teen Runner Helps Competitor Finish Race After He Collapsed, Giving Up His Own Qualifying Hopes

The whole scene was the opposite of what normally happens in baseball—when the pitcher might walk over to make sure the batter who got hurt is okay. Here, the blonde from Oklahoma, who later said he only had a small bruise from the incident, was soothing the emotional wounds that the pitcher was feeling on the inside.

People in the crowd were clearly moved, with TV cameras catching people wiping their eyes during the touching scene.

Kaiden told CNN, “I think the lesson is that you should care for other people. Like if they’re down, you should just care for them, try to build them up.”

Kaiden ended up leading Texas East to a win, which advanced them to the Little League World Series which will be held later this month. Isaiah said he’ll be rooting for them.

Watch the emotional video from ESPN below…

ALSO: Paul Rudd With Ant Man Helmet Befriends Boy Who Had No Friends–LOOK

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“I remembered something that makes us human: faith, the only weapon in our arsenal to battle doubt.” – Jodi Picoult

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Quote of the Day: “I remembered something that makes us human: faith, the only weapon in our arsenal to battle doubt.” – Jodi Picoult 

Photo by: Marcos Paulo Prado

With a new inspirational quote every day, atop the perfect photo—collected and archived on our Quotes page—why not bookmark GNN.org for a daily uplift?

Study Discovers ‘Hero’ Protein That Helps Repair DNA and Prevent Cancer Like a ‘Guardian of the Genome’

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Replication protein A (RPA) – Dr. Yatin Vyas
Replication protein A (RPA) – Dr. Yatin Vyas

DNA replication and repair happens thousands of times a day in the human body and most of the time, people don’t notice when things go wrong thanks to the work of Replication protein A (RPA), the ‘guardian of the genome.’

Scientists previously believed this protein ‘hero’ responsible for repairing damaged DNA in human cells worked alone, but a new study by Penn State College of Medicine researchers showed that RPA works with an ally called the WAS protein (WASp) to ‘save the day’ and prevent potential cancers from developing.

The researchers uncovered these findings after observing patients with Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome (WAS), which not only suppresses immune system function but, in some cases, causes cancer.  They realized that this genetic disorder is caused by a deficiency of WASp.

Dr. Yatin Vyas, professor and chair of the Department of Pediatrics at Penn State College of Medicine and pediatrician-in-chief at Penn State Health Children’s Hospital, conducted prior research that revealed that WASp functions within an apparatus that is designed to prevent cancer formation.

As a result, some cancer patients had tumor cells with a WASp gene mutation. These observations led him to hypothesize that WASp might play a direct role in DNA damage repair.

“WAS is very rare—less than 10 out of every 1 million boys has the condition,” said Vyas. “Knowing that children with WAS were developing cancers and also observing WASp mutations in tumor cells of cancer patients, we decided to investigate whether WASp plays a role in DNA replication and repair.”

RELATED: Starch in Green Bananas May Slash Risk of Some Cancers by Over 60%

The researchers conducted protein-protein binding experiments with purified human WASp and RPA and discovered that WASp forms a complex with RPA. Further tests revealed that WASp ‘directs’ RPA to the site where single DNA strands are broken and need to be repaired.

According to Vyas, without the complex, DNA repair happens by secondary mechanisms, which can lead to cancer. This novel function of WASp is conserved through evolution, from yeast to humans. The results of the study were published in Nature Communications.

Gene therapy could restore WASp function, cut cancer

Vyas said it is possible that gene therapy or stem cell therapy could restore WASp function and may prevent further tumor growth and spread. He also mentioned the possibility of using WASp dysfunction as a biomarker for identifying patients at risk for autoimmune diseases and cancers.

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In the future, Vyas and colleagues will continue to study how their observations about this RPA-WASp complex formation can be applied to treating cancer patients.

“This complex we’ve discovered plays a critical role in preventing the development of cancers during DNA replication,” Vyas told Penn State Health News. “Translating this discovery from bench to bedside could mean that someday we have another tool for predicting and treating cancers and autoimmune diseases.”

CHECK OUT: Protein Destroys ‘Hard to Treat’ Cancers, Could Become ‘One Size Fits All’ Pill

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Your Inspired Weekly Horoscope From Rob Brezsny: A ‘Free Will Astrology’

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Our partner Rob Brezsny provides his weekly wisdom to enlighten our thinking and motivate our mood. Rob’s Free Will Astrology, is a syndicated weekly column appearing in over a hundred publications. He is also the author of Pronoia Is the Antidote for Paranoia: How All of Creation Is Conspiring To Shower You with Blessings. (A free preview of the book is available here.)

Here is your weekly horoscope…

FREE WILL ASTROLOGY – Week of August 13, 2022
Copyright by Rob Brezsny, FreeWillAstrology.com

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22):
One of the inspiring experiments I hope you will attempt in the coming months is to work on loving another person as wildly and deeply and smartly as you love yourself. In urging you to try this exercise, I don’t mean to imply that I have a problem with you loving yourself wildly and deeply and smartly. I endorse your efforts to keep increasing the intensity and ingenuity with which you adore and care for yourself. But here’s a secret: Learning to summon a monumental passion for another soul may have the magic power of enhancing your love for yourself.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22):
Musician Viv Albertine has recorded four albums and played guitar for the Slits, a famous punk band. She has also written two books and worked as a TV director for 20 years. Her accomplishments are impressive. Yet she also acknowledges that she has spent a lot of time in bed for many reasons: needing to rest, seeking refuge to think and meditate, recovering from illness, feeling overwhelmed or lonely or sad. She admiringly cites other creative people who, like her, have worked in their beds: Emily Dickinson, Patti Smith, Edith Sitwell, and Frida Kahlo. I mention this, Virgo, because the coming days will be an excellent time for you to seek sanctuary and healing and creativity in bed.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22):
Libran author Katherine Mansfield wrote, “The mind I love must have wild places, a tangled orchard where dark damsons drop in the heavy grass, an overgrown little wood, the chance of a snake or two, and a pool that nobody’s fathomed the depth of.” Be inspired by her in the coming weeks, Libra. I suspect you will flourish if you give yourself the luxury of exploring your untamed side. The time is ripe to wander in nature and commune with exciting influences outside your comfort zone. What uncharted frontier would you enjoy visiting?

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21):
When you are functioning at your best, you Scorpios crave only the finest, top-quality highs. You embrace joys and pleasures that generate epiphanies and vitalizing transformations. Mediocre varieties of fun don’t interest you. You avoid debilitating indulgences that provide brief excitement but spawn long-term problems. In the coming weeks, dear Scorpio, I hope you will embody these descriptions. It’s crucial that you seek gratifications and delectations that uplift you, ennoble you, and bless your future.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21):
“Wish on everything,” advises Sagittarian author Francesca Lia Block. “Pink cars are good, especially old ones. And first stars and shooting stars. Planes will do if they are the first light in the sky and look like stars. Wish in tunnels, holding your breath and lifting your feet off the ground. Birthday candles. Baby teeth.” Your homework during the next two weeks, Sagittarius, is to build a list of further marvels that you will wish on. It’s the Magic Wish season of the year for you: a time when you’re more likely than usual to encounter and generate miracles. Be proactive! Oh, and very important: What are your three top wishes?

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19):
Author Aldous Huxley wrote, “That people do not learn much from the lessons of history is the most important lesson that history has to teach.” While his observation is true much of the time, I don’t think it will be so for you in the coming weeks. I suspect you will triumph over past patterns that have repeated and repeated themselves. You will study your life story and figure out what you must do to graduate from lessons you have finally, completely learned.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18):
In the film I Origins, a scientist says this to a lover: “When the Big Bang happened, all the atoms in the universe were smashed together into one little dot that exploded outward. So my atoms and your atoms were together then . . . my atoms have always known your atoms.” Although this sounds poetic, it’s true in a literal sense: The atoms that compose you and me and everyone else were originally all squeezed together in a tiny space. We knew each other intimately! The coming days will be an excellent time to celebrate your fundamental link with the rest of the universe. You’ll be extra receptive to feeling connection. You’ll be especially adept at fitting your energy together with others’. You’ll love the sensation of being united, merged, blended.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20):
My Piscean friend Luna sent me a message that sums up how I feel about you these days. I’ll repeat it here in the hope it will inspire you to be perfectly yourself. Luna said, “Every time I meet someone who was born within like two weeks of my birthday, I end up with the impression that they are the loopiest and wisest person I’ve met in a long time. They are totally ridiculous and worthy of profound respect. They are unhinged and brilliantly focused. They are fuzzy-headed dreamers who couldn’t possibly ever get anything practical accomplished and they are lyrical thinkers who charm me with their attunement to the world’s beauty and impress me with their understanding of how the world works. Hahahahaha. Luckily for me, I know the fool is sacred.”

ARIES (March 21-April 19):
Tips to get the most out of the coming weeks: 1. Exercise your willpower at random moments just to keep it limber. 2. Be adept at fulfilling your own hype. 3. Argue for fun. Be playful and frisky as you banter. Disagree for the sport of it, without feeling attached to being right or needing the last word. 4. Be unable to understand how anyone can resist you or not find you alluring. 5. Declare yourself President of Everything, then stage a coup d’état. 6. Smile often when you have no reason to. 7. If you come upon a “square peg, round hole” situation, change the shape of the hole.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20):
If I had to choose a mythic deity to be your symbolic helper, I would pick Venus. The planet Venus is ruler of your sign, and the goddess Venus is the maven of beauty and love, which are key to your happiness. But I would also assign Hephaestus to you Tauruses. He was the Greek god of the metalworking forge. He created Zeus’s thunderbolts, Hermes’ winged helmet, Aphrodite’s magic bra, Achilles’ armor, Eros’ bow and arrows, and the thrones for all the deities in Olympus. The things he made were elegant and useful. I nominate him to be your spirit guide during the next ten months. May he inspire you to be a generous source of practical beauty.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20):
To be a true Gemini, you must yearn for knowledge—whether it’s about coral reefs, ancient maps of Sumer, sex among jellyfish, mini-black holes, your friends’ secrets, or celebrity gossip. You need to be an eternal student who craves education. Are some things more important to learn than others? Of course, but that gauge is not always apparent in the present. A seemingly minor clue or trick you glean today may become unexpectedly helpful a month from now. With that perspective in mind, I encourage you to be promiscuous in your lust for new information and teachings in the coming weeks.

CANCER (June 21-July 22):
Cancerian drummer Ringo Starr is in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Though he has received less acclaim than his fellow Beatles, many critics recognize him as a skillful and original drummer. How did he get started? At age 13, he contracted tuberculosis and lived in a sanatorium for two years. The medical staff encouraged him to join the hospital band, hoping it would stimulate his motor skills and alleviate boredom. Ringo used a makeshift mallet to bang the cabinet near his bed. Good practice! That’s how his misfortune led to his joy and success. Is there an equivalent story in your life, Cancerian? The coming months will be a good time to take that story to its next level.

WANT MORE? Listen to Rob’s EXPANDED AUDIO HOROSCOPES, 4-5 minute meditations on the current state of your destiny — or subscribe to his unique daily text message service at: RealAstrology.com

(Zodiac images by Numerologysign.com, CC license)

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Watch the Moment an Endangered Baby Giraffe is Born With Majestic 6ft Drop to the Floor

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Chester Zoo / SWNS
Chester Zoo / SWNS

Dramatic footage has captured the moment an endangered giraffe makes its grand entrance into the world—by falling more than 6ft (2m) to the floor.

The CCTV footage shows the adorable newcomer—a Rothschild’s giraffe—dropping onto a bed of straw, and causing such a commotion that the rest of the lounging herd immediately jumped to its feet.

The calf, born last week at the Chester Zoo in England, looked tiny in comparison to its mother, Orla, who is 14-year-old. But the baby was born measuring 6ft tall and weighing a whopping 158 pounds (72kg).

“The excitement of a new calf suddenly appearing shortly before 3am certainly gave everyone quite the awakening!” said Giraffe team manager Sarah Roffe.

She said Orla stood next to Dagmar, an experienced mother, during the delivery as she readied herself for the final push.

“This high fall is a really important part of the birthing process as it’s what helps to break the umbilical cord and stimulates the calf to take its very first breath,” explained Roffe.

The footage below also shows the newborn standing up and taking his very first steps and enjoying his first feeding.

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“Following the dramatic birth, it’s vitally important that the calf gets to its feet quickly and ventures over to mum for its first feed – it’s these precious early moments that help to cement that special bond between the two of them,” said the zookeeper.

The baby’s been named Stanley after the tallest mountain in Uganda, where the zoo’s conservationists are working to boost wild giraffe numbers in Africa.

Stanley frolicks at five days-old – Chester Zoo / SWNS

The Rothschild’s giraffe is listed as ‘vulnerable to extinction’, but their numbers are now increasing due to conservation efforts, with around 2,500 in the wilds of East Africa.

LOOK: Alpaca Thinks She’s a Dog and Rides in a Car Bought Especially For Her

“It’s early days, but so far the calf is looking strong, healthy and very content, which is brilliant to see.”

Watch the full video below—or jump to the baby dropping at 1:00..

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New Design for Solid-State Hydrogen Fuel Cell Significantly Reduces Charging Times and Improves Safety

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Comparison of hydrogen absorption concentration with different designs – credit: Puchanee Larpruenrudee
Comparison of hydrogen absorption concentration with different designs – Credit: Puchanee Larpruenrudee

Hydrogen is gaining significant attention as an efficient way to store ‘green energy’ from renewables such as wind and solar.

Now, an Australian team has developed a new method to improve solid-state hydrogen fuel cell charging times.

The most common form of hydrogen storage is using compressed gas. Liquid forms are also used, but researchers from the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) experimented with a superior method of storage—solid state.

Dr. Saidul Islam, from UTS, said solid hydrogen storage, and in particular metal hydride, is attracting interest because it is safer, more compact, and lower cost than compressed gas or liquid, and it can reversibly absorb and release hydrogen.

“Metal hydride hydrogen storage technology is ideal for onsite hydrogen production from renewable electrolysis. It can store the hydrogen for extended periods and once needed, it can be converted as gas or a form of thermal or electric energy when converted through a fuel cell.”

RELATED: New Hydrogen Fuel Cells Use Cheap Iron Instead of Costly Platinum for Green Vehicles

However, a problem with using metal hydride solid state for hydrogen energy storage has been its low thermal conductivity, which leads to slow charging and discharging times.

To address this the researchers developed a new method to improve solid-state hydrogen charging and discharging times.

First author Puchanee Larpruenrudee, a PhD candidate in the UTS School of Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering, said faster heat removal from the solid fuel cell results in faster charging times.

A variety of internal heat exchangers were designed and tested—including straight tubes, spiral tubes, U-shape tubes, and fins. They found that using a helical coil significantly improves heat and mass transfer inside the storage.

“This is due to the secondary circulation and having more surface area for heat removal from the metal hydride powder to the cooling fluid,” explained Larpruenrudee. “Our study further developed a helical coil to increase heat transfer performance.”

The researchers developed a semi-cylindrical coil as an internal heat exchanger, which significantly improved heat transfer performance.

RELATED: Scientists Develop Exciting New Way to Produce Hydrogen Fuel That’s Safe, Cheap, and Ultra-Efficient

Charging time reduced by 59%

The hydrogen charging time was reduced by 59% when using the new semi-cylindrical coil compared to a traditional helical coil heat exchanger.

They are now working on the numerical simulation of the hydrogen desorption process, and continuing to improve absorption times. The semi-cylindrical coil heat exchanger will be further developed for this purpose.

Applications include rechargeable batteries, heat pumps, and heat storage. “It can also be used to store hydrogen in space, to be used in satellites and other ‘green’ space technology,” said Islam.

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The researchers aim to develop a new design for hydrogen energy storage, which will combine other types of heat exchangers and hope to work with industry partners to investigate real tank performance based on their new heat exchanger.

The study, Design optimization of a magnesium-based metal hydride hydrogen energy storage system, was recently published in the journal Scientific Reports.

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“Don’t downgrade your dream just to fit your reality. Upgrade your conviction to match your destiny.” – Stuart Scott

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Quote of the Day: “Don’t downgrade your dream just to fit your reality. Upgrade your conviction to match your destiny.” – Stuart Scott

Photo by: Oliver Cole

With a new inspirational quote every day, atop the perfect photo—collected and archived on our Quotes page—why not bookmark GNN.org for a daily uplift?

Bioengineered Cornea Can Restore Sight to the Blind and Visually Impaired

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CorNeat
CorNeat

Researchers and entrepreneurs have developed an implant made of collagen protein from pig’s skin, which resembles the human cornea and restored vision to 20 people.

Prior to receiving the implant, most of the patients were blind due to diseased corneas. The promising result of the trial brings hope to those suffering from corneal blindness and low vision by providing a bioengineered implant as an alternative to the transplantation of donated human corneas, which are scarce in many countries.

“The results show that it is possible to develop a biomaterial that meets all the criteria for being used as human implants, which can be mass-produced and stored up to two years and thereby reach even more people with vision problems,” says Neil Lagali, professor at the Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences at LiU, one of the researchers behind the study.

An estimated 12.7 million people around the world are blind due to their corneas, which is the outermost transparent layer of the eye, being damaged or diseased. Their only way of regaining vision is to receive a transplanted cornea from a human donor.

But just one in 70 patients receives a cornea transplant. Furthermore, most of those who need cornea transplants live in low and middle-income countries in which access to treatments is very limited.

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“Safety and effectiveness of the bioengineered implants have been the core of our work, says Mehrdad Rafat, the researcher and entrepreneur behind the design and development of the implants. He is an adjunct associate professor (senior lecturer) at LiU’s Department of Biomedical Engineering and founder and CEO of the company LinkoCare Life Sciences AB, which manufactures the bioengineered corneas used in the study.

“We’ve made significant efforts to ensure that our invention will be widely available and affordable by not just by the wealthy,” he says.

The cornea consists mainly of the protein collagen. To create an alternative to human cornea, the researchers used collagen molecules derived from pig skin that were highly purified and produced under strict conditions for human use. The pig skin used is a byproduct of the food industry, making it easy to access and economically advantageous.

CHECK OUT: Red Light Therapy Could Improve Your Eyesight After it Declines Due to Age

In the process of constructing the implant, the researchers stabilized the loose collagen molecules forming a robust and transparent material that could withstand handling and implantation in the eye. While donated corneas must be used within two weeks, the bioengineered corneas can be stored for up to two years before use.

The researchers have also developed a new, minimally invasive method for treating the disease keratoconus, in which the cornea becomes so thin that it can lead to blindness. Currently, a keratoconus patient’s cornea at advanced stage is surgically removed and replaced by a donated cornea, which is sewn into place using surgical sutures. This kind of surgery is invasive and only done at larger university hospitals.

“A less invasive method could be used in more hospitals, thereby helping more people. With our method, the surgeon doesn’t need to remove the patient’s own tissue. Instead, a small incision is made, through which the implant is inserted into the existing cornea,” says Neil Lagali, who has led the research group that has developed this surgical method.

No stitches are needed with this new surgical method. The incision in the cornea can be made with high precision thanks to an advanced laser, but also, when needed, by hand with simple surgical instruments. The method was first tested on pigs and turned out to be simpler and potentially safer than a conventional cornea transplant.

RELATED: Bio-compatible Glue For Repairing Corneas – A Sight for Sore Eyes

The surgical method and the implants were used by surgeons in Iran and India, two countries where many people suffer from corneal blindness and low vision, but where there is a significant lack of donated corneas and treatment options. Twenty people who were either blind or on the verge of losing sight due to advanced keratoconus participated in the pilot clinical study and received the biomaterial implant.

The operations were free from complications; the tissue healed fast; and an eight-week treatment with immunosuppressive eye drops was enough to prevent rejection of the implant. With conventional cornea transplants, medicine must be taken for several years. The patients were followed for two years, and no complications were noted during that time.

None of the patients were blind any more

The primary purpose of the pilot clinical study, published in the journal Nature, was to investigate whether the implant was safe to use. However, the researchers were surprised by what happened with the implant. The cornea’s thickness and curvature were restored to normal. At the group level, the participants’ sight improved as much as it would have after a cornea transplant with donated tissue.

Before the operation, 14 of the 20 participants were blind. After two years, none of them was blind any more. Three of the Indian participants who had been blind prior to the study had perfect (20/20) vision after the operation.

A larger clinical study followed by market approval by regulatory authorities is needed before the implant can be used in healthcare. The researchers also want to study whether the technology can be used to treat more eye diseases, and whether the implant can be adapted to the individual for even greater efficacy.

LinkoCare Life Sciences AB, which is responsible for the production, certification, packaging, and sterilization of the implants used in the study, with the support of Care Group India, covered the cost of implant manufacturing, ISO-compliant preclinical testing, and clinical testing.

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Owl Visits 98-Year-old Grandma Every Week–And Family Believes it’s a Sign From Her Late Husband–WATCH

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Shai Ward via SWNS
Shai Ward via SWNS

A grandmother receives weekly visits from a chatty owl that her family believe is a sign from her late husband.

The owl visits Ranna almost every day and sits on her balcony for hours. It even tries to hop on her lap and “chats” back to her when she hoots at it.

Granddaughter Shai Ward captured the wholesome footage when she visited the home in Phoenix, Arizona and saw the unique bond with the animal—and strongly believed he represented something truly special.

The owl’s first visit to Ranna’s balcony was on February 24 of this year—exactly two years after her beloved grandfather’s memorial ceremony.

Bob, who passed away in February, 2020, was Ranna’s husband for nearly 70 years—but the 98-year-old widow has yet to fully believe that her visitor is really a sign from the after-life.

However, her granddaughter says that the rest of their close-knit family is sure that Bob is keeping an eye on his love.

WATCH: Little Octopus Demand Endless Attention From Aquarium Worker Who Captures it All on Video

“My grandparents were best friends, who deeply respected one another. You felt the love around them and from them,” says Shai.

“My grandmother is the sweetest soul. She is a devout Catholic and attributes all that her life has become to the higher power.”

“Her sass and wit show that 98 is just a number… and her and my grandpa’s relationship was such a sight to see that our whole family just treasured them as one.”

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‘Life-Changing’ New Treatment to Stop Tinnitus Developed After 20 Years Searching for a Cure

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via SWNS license

A new “life-changing” mobile phone therapy to stop tinnitus has been developed by researchers who spent 20 years searching for a cure.

There is no pill that can cure the phantom ringing inside the ear, and the disorder has so far defied treatments.

The team at the University of Auckland in New Zealand says 65 percent of participants reported an improvement, and for some people it was “life-changing”—because tinnitus was “taking over their lives and attention.”

Around five percent of the population experience it to such a distressing degree that they have trouble sleeping, difficulty carrying out daily tasks, and depression.

“This is likely to have a direct impact on future treatment of tinnitus,” said Audiology Professor Grant Searchfield.

Earlier trials have found that white noise, goal-based counseling, goal-oriented games, and other technology-based therapies are effective for some people, some of the time. The new treatment begins with an initial assessment by an audiologist who combines a range of digital tools, based on the individual’s experience of tinnitus.

“This is quicker and more effective, taking 12 weeks—rather than 12 months—for more individuals to gain some control.”

RELATED: Are Your Ears Ringing From Tinnitus? This Non-Invasive Nerve Stimulation Could Help Millions

31 of the 61 study participants had “clinically significant” improvements using the new polytherapeutic after just 12 weeks. The remaining 30, who used a popular self-help app producing white noise, didn’t have these improvements.

“What this therapy does is essentially rewire the brain in a way that de-emphasizes the sound of the tinnitus to a background noise that has no meaning or relevance to the listener.”

Dr. Searchfield and audiology research fellow Dr. Phil Sanders said they found the results of the polytherapeutic prototype personally rewarding and exciting.

Searchfield says he was inspired by his patients’ distress and no options for affective treatment. “I wanted to make a difference.”

RELATED: MIT Researchers Reverse Hearing Loss By Regenerating Inner Ear Hair Growth

Now the research team plan to refine the prototype and follow up with larger local and international trials in a mission to get FDA approval.

The researchers hope the app will be clinically available in around six months.

The findings were published in the journal Frontiers in Neurology.

New Evidence Shows Giant Meteorites Created the Seven Continents Upon Impact With Earth

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NASA/JPL-Caltech
NASA/Jpl-Caltech/T. Pyle

New research suggests the seven continents were created by giant meteorite impacts—similar to the one that wiped out the dinosaurs.

They happened more than three-and-a-half billion years ago, before life on Earth began— so the discovery sheds fresh light on evolution.

Scientists analyzed a mineral called zircon, the microscopic grains of which act like a ‘geological clock’.

They were dug from ancient rocks at Pilbara Craton in Western Australia, which has been dubbed ‘the oldest place on Earth’.

Lead author Dr. Tim Johnson studied the composition of oxygen isotopes in these zircon crystals and found a “top-down process”.

“It started with the melting of rocks near the surface and progressed deeper—consistent with the geological effect of giant meteorite impacts.

“Our research provides the first solid evidence the processes that ultimately formed the continents began with giant meteorite impacts. They were similar to that responsible for the extinction of the dinosaurs, but occurred billions of years earlier.”

LOOK: Watch a Billion Years of Shifting Tectonic Plates Forming Our Continents in 40 Seconds

It led to the huge regions we know today as Asia, Africa, North America, South America, Antarctica, Europe and Australia—in order of size.

Dr. Johnson, of Curtin University in Perth, said the study even has implications for combating global warming: “Not least, the continents host critical metals such as lithium, tin and nickel… essential to the emerging green technologies needed to mitigate climate change.”

Massive space rocks regularly smashed into the planet during the first quarter of its four-and-a-half-billion year history. It’s known as the ‘Late Heavy Bombardment’—and had it continued life as we know it would never have got started.

For decades it had been theorized the continents originally formed at these sites but there was no proof until now.

“The Pilbara Craton represents Earth’s best-preserved remnant of ancient crust,” says Johnson. “By examining tiny crystals of the mineral zircon in rocks we found evidence of these giant meteorite impacts.”

CHECK OUT: A Gigantic Planet Found Hidden in Plain Sight

NASA/JPL-Caltech

The study also pushes back on when the first continents—called cratons—emerged from the ocean.

It was believed to have happened roughly 2.5 billion years ago. The findings, published in the journal Nature, add to evidence it happened much earlier.

They eventually formed into one ‘supercontinent’ named Pangaea, which began breaking up 175 million years ago—with different segments drifting into those we see today.

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A giant impact around 3.6 billion years ago would have triggered massive mantle melting to produce a thick nucleus, he explained. Data related to other areas of ancient continental crust on Earth appears to show patterns similar to those discovered in Western Australia. The researchers suspect their model is “widely applicable” and will continue testing in other areas.

“Earth is the only planet known to have continents, although how they formed and evolved is unclear,” added Johnson. “However, all along it seems the evidence was right beneath our feet.”

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“It’s never overreacting to ask for what you want and need.” – Amy Poehler

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Quote of the Day: “It’s never overreacting to ask for what you want and need.” – Amy Poehler

Photo by: Milada Vigerova

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Frequent Aspirin Use is Linked to Lower Risk of Ovarian Cancer in Women Most Likely to Develop the Disease

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Hal Gatewood
Hal Gatewood

An aspirin a day cuts the risk of ovarian cancer in women most likely to develop the disease, according to new research.

It could protect those with a family history of the disease and carriers of the ‘Angelina Jolie gene,’ say scientists.

The painkiller is believed to block triggering proteins. It also douses inflammation, which plays a key role in ovarian cancer—the most fatal gynecologic cancer.

“Most known risk factors of ovarian cancer—such as family history, mutations in the BRCA1 and 2 genes, and endometriosis—can’t be modified,” said lead author Dr. Britton Trabert, of the University of Utah.

The US team described the findings as “promising.” It is an “actionable step” that vulnerable individuals may take.

Daily, or almost daily, aspirin use was associated with a 13% reduction in ovarian cancer risk and they found that aspirin benefitted most subgroups.

“Importantly, this research provides further evidence that ovarian cancer chemo-prevention with frequent aspirin use could benefit people in higher-risk subgroups,” Dr. Trabert added.

RELATED: Vitamin D Could Help Protect Women Against and Even Reverse Ovarian Cancer

Four years ago, a Harvard University analysis of more than 200,000 women found
a daily low dose 75mg pill slashed case rates of the cancer by about a quarter. But individual studies have not been able to look at whether the drug benefits those with a higher risk of disease.

The Utah team pooled data from 17 studies, nine prospective cohort studies from the Ovarian Cancer Cohort Consortium, and eight case control studies from the Ovarian Cancer Association Consortium that included more than 8,300 cases.

“This gave us a more detailed and accurate look than if we used published data.”

They were defined by specific risk factors like family history of breast or ovarian cancer, endometriosis where womb tissue grows around the ovaries, obesity, pregnancy, oral contraceptive use, and sterilization where the fallopian tubes are tied.

“Aspirin use has been linked with major adverse events, including internal bleeding and stroke,” says Trabert. “Since aspirin helped people who had two or more risk factors, we hope patients and clinicians can use this research to have an informed conversation when it comes to potential preventive measures.”

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She earned a Department of Defense Investigator-Initiated Research Award for work on aspirin use and lower ovarian cancer rates. Ovarian cancer is known as ‘the silent killer’ because there are few distinct symptoms until it is advanced.

Currently around a third of women are diagnosed early, and nine-in-10 women with early-stage disease survive. It drops to just one in ten if picked up late—one of the highest death rates of all cancers.

Aspirin has been used as a painkiller for thousands of years, since the Ancient Egyptians found an extract of willow bark helped mothers cope with child birth. But in recent years scientists have found the cheap drug has many more applications. It is commonly prescribed by doctors in lower doses to prevent heart problems, because it stops platelets in the blood clumping together to form clots.

But, low dose aspirin has also been found to significantly reduce the risk of bowel cancer—as well as skin, colon, lung and prostate cancer.

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Aspirin is a blood thinner. It comes with a risk of internal bleeding – particularly among people with certain conditions such as an abnormal heart rhythm. In can cause stomach bleeds and ulcers that may require hospital treatment, and in rare instances a stroke or a life-threatening hemorrhage. So, individuals should consult their health care providers before beginning new medication to balance any potential risks with these potential benefits.

The study was published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.

81-Year-old Wows Nursing Home With Incredible Impromptu Performance of Righteous Brothers Classic–WATCH

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An 81-year-old stunned everyone with his note perfect rendition of ‘Unchained Melody’, by The Righteous Brothers, after asking to take the microphone at a nursing home party.

Guests at Park View Nursing Home in Liverpool had enjoyed a performance from local vocalist Toni Nesbitt, when Dave Williams asked if he could sing a song himself.

Dave then stood up and blew the entire room away.

“When I got up my daughter was begging me to sit back down,” admitted Dave. “But I’m glad I didn’t!”

“Someone in the audience was a patient with dementia—and after my performance I saw her singing the song to herself, which was brilliant.”

The performance would have come as no shock to those who know Williams, because he had sung with The Beatles a couple times.

RELATED: Listening to Music With a Groove Actually Boosts Brain Function

As a teen, Dave played with his band called The Dices, and in 1958 they appeared alongside soon-to-be Beatles drummer Ringo Starr at the Morgue Skiffle Cellar in Liverpool, though the 18-year-old Ringo was not yet a superstar.

Dave decided to go solo when he was 17 and secured a gig singing on weekends for £3 a night at a small club. He then sang with The Beatles at Knotty Ash Village Hall in Liverpool in 1961—after his friend asked the band members if he could get up and join them.

He also performed in front of hundreds of people, including Mel C. of the Spice Girls, at Paul McCartney’s 58th Birthday in 2000 at the Linda McCartney Centre, in the Royal Liverpool University Hospital.

“It was all surreal and something I will never ever forget. The gig at Knotty Ash was a bit awkward. I may have been a bit out of key but I got a good clap! But, at Paul’s birthday, people from around the world came to be there.”

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An employee at the nursing home described how stunned audience members were at his incredibly passionate performance and powerful voice.

“Words can’t explain how we all felt after his performance—and he has said he would love to perform for us again.”

She shared the video of Dave singing (see it below) to the Park View TikTok profile, where it amassed over 500,000 views. The incredible online reaction has been astounding for Dave—who doesn’t use social media, and had never heard of TikTok before.

WATCH: Adorable Dash-cam Video Shows Father and 6-yo Belting Out Sinatra’s ‘Me & My Shadow’

The octogenarian, who retired as a medical assistant for the UK’s National Health Service after nearly 50 years, was dumbfounded when he went into his favorite local shop the following day and the whole place was clapping and cheering for him.

HAIL a Silver Senior By Giving His Viral Video a Lift on Social Media…

Simply Wearing a Fitness Tracker Makes You Walk 40 Extra Minutes a Day – And Lose 2 Pounds

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Photo by Tyler Nix (cropped)
Photo by Tyler Nix (cropped)

Simply wearing a fitness tracker encourages you to walk up to 40 minutes more every day, which results in shedding 2.2 pounds in weight in just a few months, according to a large study.

The new analysis looked at studies involving 164,000 people across the world who used the devices—and the data shows the relatively low-cost intervention had many benefits.

The team from the University of South Australia reviewed almost 400 studies and demonstrated wearable activity trackers (WATs) could prevent a host of health conditions caused by lack of exercise.

The lead researcher of the study published in Lancet Digital Health said there is widespread skepticism about WATs’ efficacy, accuracy and whether they fuel obsessive behaviors and eating disorders. But the actual evidence for WATs is overwhelmingly positive.

“Wearable activity trackers are effective across all age groups and for long periods of time,” said doctoral candidate Ty Ferguson. “They encourage people to exercise on a regular basis, to make it part of their routine—and to set goals to lose weight.”

“The other reported benefit is that WATs improved depression and anxiety through an increase in physical activity.”

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Professor Carol Maher, co-author of the paper, added, “Bearing in mind these were not weight loss studies, but lifestyle physical activity studies, so we wouldn’t expect dramatic weight loss.

“The average person gains about 0.5 kg a year in weight creep so losing 1kg (2.2 lb) over five months is significant, especially when you consider that two-thirds of Australians are overweight or obese.”

Between 2014 and 2020, the number of wearable activity trackers shipped worldwide increased by almost 1500 percent, with purchases in 2020 alone worth $2.8 billion.

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As well as weight loss, there is evidence fitness trackers help lower blood pressure and cholesterol, too.

Fitness wearables on Amazon.com currently show prices between $21 and $160.

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“We need to remember that failure is not the opposite of success… Failure is part of success.” – Arianna Huffington

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Quote of the Day: “We need to remember that failure is not the opposite of success… Failure is part of success.” – Arianna Huffington

Photo by: Gezy Pics, CC license

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Green Bay Packers Football Stars Join Young Fan’s Impromptu Tea Party on Sideline – WATCH

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Ashley Rubens
Ashley Rubens

Training Camp for these big, burly football players is serious business, as athletes condition their bodies for the NFL season ahead.

But, these sweet superstars are winning hearts, too, with their spontaneous playfulness—especially when a wee lass sets up a tea party on the sidelines.

Dressed in her green and gold cheerleader outfit, Aria Rubens lifted her empty tea cup to each player as they entered Lombardi Stadium, asking, “Would you like some tea?”

The little pink cups decorated with a Disney princess had not a drop of liquid in them, but each player lifted their head, gulping down a pretend sip, and thanked their young fan.

“You make the best tea!” said one player. Little Aria always answered with “Go Pack, go!”

Mom Ashley Rubens posted the videos on social media and the cuteness went viral.

“It’s just crazy how many people just want a good story about people being kind to each other,” Ashley said. “Ultimately, I think that’s what the Packers community is about.”

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The Wisconsin team is the only organization in the NFL that is owned by the citizens of its city, rather than wealthy individuals. The Green Bay Packers quarterback, Aaron Rodgers, has won back-to-back League MVP titles from 2020 to 2022.

Watch the sweet video below…

CONTINUE the Tea Party – Share With Packers Fans on Social Media…

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