Here are today’s most important updates from the realm of Science and Space.
Habitable Zone Surprise: Scientists Find Super-Earth Practically Next Door
Astronomers have made an exciting discovery that brings new hope to the search
for life beyond Earth. They have identified a planet that orbits within the "habitable zone" of its star - a region where temperatures may allow liquid water to exist. Since water is essential for life as we know it, this finding raises the possibility that the planet might have life-supporting conditions, according to reports. This newly discovered planet, located in a nearby part of the Milky Way Galaxy, appears rocky, similar in size to Earth, but weighs many times more than Earth. This is why scientists call it a "super-Earth.”
A Pill for Longer Life? Common Diabetes Drug Shows Stunning Longevity Boost
Scientists in the US and Germany used data from a long-term US study of postmenopausal women. Records on a total of 438 people were picked out, half of whom took metformin to treat diabetes, and half who took a different diabetes drug, called sulfonylurea. "Metformin has been shown to target multiple pathways of aging and therefore has been postulated as a drug that may extend human longevity," stated the researchers in their published paper. It's been shown to limit DNA damage and promote gene activity associated with long life. Previous studies have shown that metformin can put the brakes on wear and tear in the brain and even reduce the risk of long COVID.
Silent Danger: Chronic Pain Could Be Skyrocketing Your Blood Pressure
Chronic pain in adults may raise the likelihood of developing high blood pressure, and factors such as where the pain is located, how widespread it is, and whether a person also has depression appear to play important roles. An evaluation of health information from more than 200,000 adults in the U.S. showed that individuals who experienced chronic pain throughout their bodies had a higher chance of developing high blood pressure compared to those reporting no pain, short-term discomfort, or pain limited to one region. High blood pressure and hypertension occur when blood presses too strongly against vessel walls, increasing the chance of heart attack or stroke.
Nature’s Ozempic? Breakthrough Study Points to Powerful Alternative
Scientists may have identified a way to naturally regulate blood sugar levels and sugar cravings in a similar fashion to drugs like Ozempic. Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) is a hormone that is naturally produced by the body and which helps regulate blood sugar levels and feelings of fullness. GLP-1's release is stimulated by certain foods and gut microbes, and its mechanism of action is mimicked by drugs like semaglutide (the ingredient behind Ozempic). People with type 2 diabetes typically have impaired GLP-1 function, leading to issues with blood sugar control, which is why Ozempic and other GLP-1 agonists work as treatments.
