Life-Extending Protein Hormone Boosts Brain Functionality, UCSF Study Finds
But it's still unknown if the hormone, klotho, would be able to be administered as a drug to enhance that functionality in humans.
The Mercury News:
UCSF Study: Hormone Improves Memory, Motor Skills In Mice
Injecting a life-extending protein hormone produced at high levels by a minority of people rapidly improved the cognitive and physical performance of young, aging or impaired mice, according to new research from UC San Francisco. While previous studies of the hormone klotho had revealed links between elevated klotho levels and better cognitive skills that research had been done with mice genetically engineered to continuously produce high klotho levels and in people carrying genetic variants that caused them to have high klotho levels throughout life. (Seipel, 8/8)
In other public health news —
Sacramento Bee:
Federal Grant Will Encourage Californians To Shop At Farmers Markets
In July, the department launched the California Nutrition Incentive Program, or CNIP, which rewards recipients of CalFresh food stamps who buy fruits and vegetables grown in the state by doubling the value of their vouchers when they purchase at 339 farmers markets throughout the state. The program’s latest infusion of funds, a three-year Food Insecurity Nutrition Incentive grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, builds on several million dollars in private funding and $5 million initially allocated by the state Legislature in 2016 to match federal dollars. (Knowles, 8/8)
KPBS:
VA Study Shows Yoga Can Lower Dependence On Pain Meds
The Veterans Health Administration is searching for ways to wean veterans off pain medication. A new study from the San Diego VA shows that the right kind of yoga can be a long term solution. (Walsh, 8/7)