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What was New in Longevity in February 2024?

What was new in the longevity field in February 2024?

Here, we’ve compiled the latest research on longevity for this month, highlighting the exciting longevity articles and progress that might change the future.

Hevolution to Fund Longevity Technology

Hevolution Foundation has introduced 49 awards to drive longevity studies and new technologies.

These Geroscience Research Opportunities (HF-GRO) will provide 49 selected projects $115 million over the next five years, with another call for proposals coming later this year for an additional $115 million.

The initiative aims to address funding gaps in aging and longevity research.

Mayo Clinic, the US National Institute on Aging and Buck Institute are just some of the awardees.

New AI-Powered Full Body MRI

Ezra, a healthcare AI firm, has raised $21 million for its MRI imaging technology for the early detection of more than 500 healthcare conditions.

The longevity technology monitors for potential cancer and other conditions across 13 organs, in a way that reduces both the time and cost of MRI scanning.

The AI is used across imaging, analysis and reporting, with the technology being deployed at imaging centres across the US to make full-body MRI scans financially accessible to consumers.

A Scanning Method to Detect Cell Death

Neurona Therapeutics is looking to advance regenerative cell therapy candidates for the treatment of neurological disorders.

The San Francisco biotech company has raised $120 million for its off-the-shelf cell therapy candidates to test whether they can provide long-term repair of our brain’s neural networks from conditions such as epilepsy and Alzheimer’s disease.

NRT-1001 is the company’s leading therapy, which uses interneurons to secrete GABA, which has had promising early clinical data in its use with epilepsy.

Drug to Help in IDF Treatment

Anima Biotech, an AI drug discovery company, has identified a drug that could help with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) treatment.

IPF is an age-related condition where the lungs become scarred and makes breathing difficult.

The preclinical drug uses a new mRNA biology mechanism and is safe to take orally.

Clinical trials still need to be conducted before the drug can be released.

ACE Crucial in Aging and Immunity

There is a direct pathway for waste fluid and immune cells between the brain and dura mater, a study by the National Institute of Health has found.

ACE points, or arachnoid cuff exit, interact with the immune system, which may influence the progression of neurological disorders, like Alzheimer’s disease.

This research identifies a link between aging and increased leakiness of ACE points through a possible connection to higher risks of neurodegenerative diseases.

Helping Us Test Our Biological Age

UK-based biotech startup, GlycanAge, has secured $4.2 million in funding to scale its business to help consumers learn their biological age and to develop disease-specific tests for early detection.

The funding was led by LAUNCHub Ventures, a Bulgarian venture capital fund, alongside UK deep-tech fund, Kadmos Capitol.

GlycanAge measures biological age by giving users insights into the impact of their lifestyle and environmental factors on their aging process, allowing them to make informed decisions about their health and well-being.

Lifestyle Habits for Longevity

Lifestyle habits from regions with high average life expectancies may help shed light on how individuals can improve their longevity.

The Burusho and Wakhi people from the Hunza Valley in north Pakistan have an average life expectancy of around 100 years old, despite having minimal amenities and poor health facilities.

It was found that these communities consume high amounts of apricot seeds and oil, which may help fight cancer, drink glacier water, which may help due to it containing quartz (silica) minerals in colloid form, possibly powerful antioxidants, and they rarely eat processed foods.

They also never stop moving, are active well into old age and have strong community values.

Women Need Less Exercise Than Men to Reduce Mortality

A study has found that women generally need less exercise than men to reduce their risk of dying.

Men were found to need 300 minutes of exercise weekly to lower their chance of cardiovascular mortality by 18 per cent, compared to women who only needed 140 minutes, which actually reduced their risk by 24 per cent.

It was also found that longevity benefits peaked for both men and women at 300 minutes, about five hour-long sessions, for both aerobic and muscle-strengthening exercise.

Fasting May Lower Biological Age

A fasting-mimicking diet (FMD) may reduce biological age by 2.5 years and lower disease risk.

The new study, published in Nature, also found that those who completed three FMD cycles, spaced four months apart, had reduced insulin resistance, lower hepatic fat and improved immune system function.

The FMD diet mimics the effects of fasting without having to cut out food completely, with participants consuming 500 to 600 calories per day over a five-day period, which is less than half of the typical daily intake of 2,000 calories.

The biological age marker was based on the 10-biomarker NHANES measure of biological age.

The findings suggest that FMD may be a possible intervention for healthy aging, with the study also suggesting FMD may help protect against heart disease, cancer and diabetes.

End Note

Want to learn more longevity news 2024? Read our January Longevity News post and keep an eye out for our March issue!

Interested in learning more about longevity and supplements that may help extend your health span? Read our blog and check out Xandro Lab’s longevity supplements to see what might benefit you!