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The video’s description:
What causes aging? According to Professor David Sinclair, it is a loss of information in our epigenome, the system of proteins like histones and chemical markers like methylation that turn on and off genes. Epigenetics allow different cell types to perform their specific functions - they are what differentiate a brain cell from a skin cell. Our DNA is constantly getting broken, by cosmic rays, UV radiation, free radicals, x-rays and regular cell division etc. When our cells repair that damage, the epigenome is not perfectly reset. And hence over time, noise accumulates in our epigenome. Our cells no longer perform their functions well.
To counter this decline, we can activate the body's own defenses against aging by stressing the body. Eat less, eat less protein, engage in intense exercise, and experience uncomfortable cold. When the body senses existential threats it triggers longevity genes, which attempt to maintain the body to ensure its survival until good times return. This may be the evolutionary legacy of early bacteria, which established these two modes of living (repair and protect vs grow and reproduce). Scientists are uncovering ways to mimic stresses on the body without the discomfort of fasting. Molecules like NMN also trigger sirtuins to monitor and repair the epigenome. This may slow aging.
Reversing aging requires an epigenetic reset, which may be possible using Yamanaka factors. These four factors can revert an adult cell into a pluripotent stem cell. Prof. Sinclair used three of the four factors to reverse aging in the retinal cells of old mice. He found they could see again after the treatment.
In this video, Matt Ferrell goes over the fresh water crisis and where it is headed. He then talks about two technologies that have been developed to combat this crisis. The first technology was developed by MIT and the second by the University of Texas at Austin.
Video Description: These two new breakthroughs in water desalination and fresh water production show us where the technology may be heading, especially for more targeted applications. One of the advances gets fresh water at the push of a button WITHOUT filters, and the other can pull water out of the air without a power source, even in the middle of a desert. A large scale desalination plant isn't a one size fits all solution. Are these small scale advances worth the hype, and what role can they play in the freshwater crisis? Let’s take a deeper look.
Matt Ferrell did another video on the fresh water crisis that focuses on nanotechnology to solve the fresh water crisis.
Video Description: We all take fresh water for granted, but we shouldn't. By 2025 two thirds of the global population may experience water scarcity, so there's a fresh water crisis coming. And that’s because of global warming driven droughts. Supply cuts are looming in the Southwestern US and water is fueling wars across the world. There’s a sea of desalination technologies coming up. Like solar domes in the desert or nanofiber technology membranes and other nanomaterials making seawater drinkable in minutes. Let's take a look at how nanotechnology could help contain the fresh water crisis and help with sustainability.
This video is much longer than the other ones but like the rest, its content is great. In this video, Steve Jobs talks of the process they took to develop the multibillion-dollar company. He talks of some of the challenges they faced and some of the software they developed that turned out to serve more purposes than anticipated. I won’t spoil the video more and suggest you watch it.
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