Moderate Exercise Increases Mobility Levels in Seniors, Says LIFE Study

Most babies born now will likely live to be centenarians. These projections filling the news media are based on advances in medical treatments today.

The question that arises is that since the projections are based on medical treatments on the elderly population today, then what will the quality of life be for this next generation of centenarians?

For several years, the question of quality of life in senior years has been the focus of researchers at The Jean Mayer Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging (USDA HNRCA) at Tufts University, Medford, Mass.

The researchers are now embarking on a extended follow-up study to one completed a few years ago. The prior study examined the effects of initiating either an education or exercise program in seniors (ages 70 to 89) divided into to two groups to find out which group would experience the greatest increase in physical mobility.

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Women With Lifelong Obesity Suffering More Illnesses in Senior Years, Says Harvard Study

Cartoon courtesy of the Rotary Club Of NorthRaleigh.

More and more Americans are definitely living longer, but they are also doing it with the help of a lot of prescription medications.

These medical issues have become a common occurrence in American culture. The Harvard School of Public Health in cooperation with Brigham and Women’s Hospital found that in a large study of 17,065 women living until at least age 70, that being overweight at middle-age was associated with having more health problems later in life.

The results showed that only 9.9 percent of the women who lived until age 70, reported being free of major chronic diseases; having good cognitive and physical functions; and having good mental health. These women were defined as healthy survivors.

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Searching Out New Ranges for America’s Wild Mustangs

Wild mustangs. Photo courtesy of National Geographic.

While having descended from domesticated horses brought here by early Spanish explorers, the American wild mustangs have always embodied virtues that we also pride in ourselves, such as strength, endurance, determination, and freedom.

Still exemplifying these virtues, the horses have experienced a powerful resurgence over the last four decades since the Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act was passed in 1971.

The law made it illegal to slaughter these animals as a method of population control or providing meat for dog food. The horses and burros were seen as competitors with domestic livestock for grazing lands.

Today, these federally protected animals are being threatened by their own successful comeback. They are eating themselves right out of their own protected ranges.

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European Cos. Seeking Money From EU to Fund the Development of an Offshore Wind Industry

Photo courtesy of Tambang.org, Energy Industry News.

In an ideal world, a government’s job should always be to do what’s best for the majority of its citizens. Green energy technologies have the potential to lower greenhouse gasses and leave more money in people’s pockets.

Caution flags should go up though when an industry makes an initial proposal to governments asking them for unspecified amounts of financing for the development of technologies and infrastructures.

The issue here is that over 140 company representatives from 38 countries have just signed what’s called the “European Offshore Wind Declaration.”

It calls on “national governments and the European Union to give the necessary political and legislative support to develop a new multi-billion Euro offshore wind industry,” said the European Wind Energy Association, which also drew up the declaration.

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Energy Kids Online Platform Revamped For More Interactive Learning and Fun

Graphic courtesy of Mineral Mangement Services Kids’ Page.

In all its forms, energy is what makes the world go ‘round. An amazing fact, but for most kids it’s a big yawn unless they can see how it relates to their own lives in fun and interesting ways.

This was the catalyst idea behind the redesigning of the Energy Information Administration’s Energy Kids website. “We’re making energy fun so young people develop an understanding of energy and its increasingly important role in our daily lives, economy, and environment,” said Richard Newman, EIA administrator.

Among its plethora of components, the site has a basics section that branches energy into its different forms, including: heat, light, motion, electrical, chemical, nuclear, and gravitation. Also, for today’s eco-conscious world, there is considerable information about renewable energy.

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