At the stroke of midnight ushering in January 1, 2011, the first of the post WWII baby boomers turned 65. It seems fitting, then, that President Obama signed the National Alzheimer's Project Act (known as NAPA) into law on January 4.
According to the Alzheimer's Association, the leading proponent of the new law, the legislation provides an important national strategy to fight Alzheimer's.
The president and CEO of the Alzheimer's Association, Harry Johns, had this to say about NAPA:
“The Alzheimer’s Association is pleased that a much needed plan will now be put into place to address the challenges of Alzheimer’s disease, currently the sixth-leading cause of death in this country. In fact, among the 10 leading causes of death, it is by far the fastest growing — increasing more than 50 percent from 2000 to 2007. Given the devastation experienced by millions of families because of this disease and the staggering economic costs, particularly to Medicare and Medicaid, we must have ...
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Dr. Markus, one of last year’s best speakers, said that our minds are indeed able to renew well after 30, when mental decline starts. It seemed like everyone in the audience was happy to hear that news. Who would have thought that we could really slow down and possibly reverse some aging? I was especially excited, because I knew from other researchers that between 30 and 60, we lose fully 40 percent of our ability to concentrate.
As an update to that lunch, you might want to know that scientists are announcing exciting discoveries that actually go further.
Researchers at Stanford University and the University of Wisconsin, where some of the most advanced longevity work is being done, have focused on the energy centers of the cell, because if the cell’s batteries can be powered up to a younger level, the rest of the cell functions better.
Clinical studies, recently presented at prestigious conferences like the Gordon Research Conference, have shown that a deeply ...
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Recently I listened to a smart and talented friend of mine express her anxiety about completing her applications and getting into one of her preferred doctoral programs. I completely understood her anxiety. It takes a good deal of time and effort to find the programs and complete the applications, and I know it’s nerve-wracking to wait and hear whether you get accepted. And…I knew that she would get into a program that she loved. I had complete trust in her and the schools and the universe that she would find and be accepted into the program she most wanted.
It had me wondering… Why can’t I have that kind of trust for myself, for my endeavors? If I can trust that her desires will be fulfilled, why can’t I trust that mine will?
I think we fall into a couple of completely understandable, yet detrimental, pitfalls.
We can think that there’s a finite amount of “success” out there, and if she’s getting what she wants and she’s being successful at this same thing, than there won’t be any left for ...
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