Animal Secrets Unlock Healthier Human Lifespans
Can Animal Super-Agers Teach Us Their Secrets?
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Resources & Recommendations
People Mentioned
- Dr. Vera Gorbunova (Professor and Biologist at the University of Rochester, Co-director of the Rochester Aging Research Center) - A trailblazer in the field of aging research, studying aging for over 20 years, and has published research on bowhead whales.
- Dr. Juan Manuel Vasquez (Biologist and Assistant Professor at Pennsylvania State University) - Studies how superaging evolved, mostly in bats.
- Alex Honnold (Host of Planet Visionaries podcast, climbed El Capitan without ropes) - Focuses on protecting the planet and interviews explorers, scientists, activists, and storytellers.
- Bertie Gregory (Wildlife photographer) - Discussed with Alex Honnold how animals can teach humans resiliency and empathy.
Organizations & Institutions
- University of Rochester - Where Dr. Vera Gorbunova is a professor and co-director of the Rochester Aging Research Center.
- Pennsylvania State University - Where Dr. Juan Manuel Vasquez is an assistant professor.
- Rochester Aging Research Center - Co-directed by Dr. Vera Gorbunova.
- GiveWell - A non-profit dedicated to researching and funding highly cost-effective programs to improve lives.
- Rolex's Perpetual Planet Initiative - Partnered with the podcast Planet Visionaries to highlight efforts in protecting the planet.
Podcasts
- Planet Visionaries - Hosted by Alex Honnold, this podcast explores stories of individuals working to protect the planet and build a sustainable future.
Other Resources
- Brandt's bat - A species of bat mentioned as a world record holder for longevity, having been caught 42 years after being tagged as an adult.
- Greenland shark - Mentioned as an animal that can live 400 years, but with a very slow lifestyle.
- Bowhead whale - The only mammal that lives longer than humans, capable of living over 200 years without documented cases of cancer.
- Elephants - Discussed in the context of Peto's Paradox, as large animals that have evolved mechanisms to resist cancer by eliminating damaged cells.
- Naked mole rat - An animal that has evolved unique adaptations, including high levels of hyaluronic acid, to prevent cancer, linked to its subterranean lifestyle.
- Hyaluronic acid - A substance found in high quantities in naked mole rats' skin, which prevents cancer in them and is also used in human skincare.
- CIRBP (Cold Inducible RNA Binding Protein) - A protein found in high levels in bowhead whales that promotes efficient DNA repair and protects from mutations.
- Sirtuin 6 (SIRT6) - A genome maintenance protein found to be more efficient in long-lived rodents; its activators are being studied for human health.
- Fucoidan - A natural compound from brown seaweed that strongly activates sirtuin 6, and has been shown to extend the lifespan and improve genome stability in old mice.