This is a new site highlighting my autobiography with my name David B Katague spelled backwards. The photo above is Chateau Du Mer Beach House in Boac, Marinduque, Philippines. Photo taken in the Spring of 2012.
Japan has now reached an impressive milestone of having over 95,000 people aged 100 years or older. This reflects a profound success in healthcare, diet, and lifestyle choices that promote longevity. The emphasis on physical activity, mental wellness, and community engagement plays a major role in maintaining good health and well-being.
These centenarians often participate in activities like the traditional exercises shown in the image, a reflection of Japan's deeply rooted cultural values of staying active and connected. People in these communities don’t just live longer but enjoy healthier and more fulfilling lives. Their way of living is an inspiration for many across the globe.
The regular participation in community activities has a positive impact on not only physical health but also mental health. By coming together in group settings and forming close-knit social circles, individuals can remain mentally sharp and emotionally supported as they age. It’s a holistic approach to life that contributes to longevity.
One of the most significant factors contributing to this longevity is the balanced diet typical in Japan, which is rich in fish, vegetables, and traditional foods that support heart health and brain function. The diet, coupled with active living, helps to keep the elderly population free from common age-related diseases, making Japan one of the leading nations in life expectancy.
This combination of healthcare, diet, community, and lifestyle can undoubtedly be considered a powerful formula for living longer, healthier, and happier lives. Japan’s success in this area is a testament to the impact that societal structure and healthy habits can have on individual longevity
Meanwhile,
In a breakthrough that could change medicine forever, French scientists have developed an artificial heart that never stops beating—removing the need for human donors.
The device, created by the French company Carmat, is powered by advanced sensors and biocompatible materials that mimic the natural functions of a real human heart. It pumps blood continuously and adjusts automatically to the patient’s activity level—whether they’re resting or exercising. Unlike traditional transplants, there’s no risk of rejection, no waiting lists, and no reliance on finding a matching donor.
This innovation could save the lives of tens of thousands of people worldwide who suffer from end-stage heart failure but never receive a transplant in time. Patients who have tested Carmat’s heart have been able to return to daily life with a level of freedom and confidence once thought impossible.
If successful on a wide scale, this invention could mark the beginning of a future where “forever hearts” replace fragile transplants, giving countless people a second chance at life.
Lastly, My Photo of the Day- My 4 D's- Ditas, Dodie, David E ( RIP) and Dinah
This posting is inspired from the scheduled talk of Dr. Ed Church💚 at 11AM today at our Cinema(see brochure above). I hope you attend.
The Tiny Heroes Eating Away at Our Plastic Problem
For decades, plastic has been hailed as one of humanity’s greatest inventions. Lightweight, durable, and inexpensive—it reshaped the modern world. Yet its very durability became its curse. Today, plastic waste is choking oceans, filling landfills, and breaking down into microplastics that enter the food chain. Scientists estimate that it takes hundreds of years for most plastics to degrade naturally. But what if nature already had a solution hidden in the tiniest of life forms?
The Famous Plastic-Eater: Ideonella sakaiensis
In 2016, Japanese researchers stumbled upon a remarkable bacterium in a PET bottle recycling plant: Ideonella sakaiensis. This microbe doesn’t just tolerate plastic—it thrives on it. It produces special enzymes, PETase and MHETase, which can break down PET (polyethylene terephthalate), one of the most common plastics, into its building blocks.
Instead of lingering in the environment for centuries, plastic in the presence of these microbes can degrade in weeks under controlled conditions. Scientists have even engineered “super enzymes” based on I. sakaiensis, making them faster and more efficient.
Plastic-Degrading Fungi
But I. sakaiensis isn’t alone. Fungi, with their powerful digestive enzymes, have also been recruited into the war against plastics.
Aspergillus tubingensis – A soil fungus discovered in a Pakistani dump site that can break down polyurethane plastics (commonly used in foams, furniture, and adhesives). Its enzymes essentially “chew” through the plastic’s bonds.
Pestalotiopsis microspora – Found in the Amazon rainforest, this fungus can survive solely on polyurethane, even in oxygen-free environments. That makes it especially promising for landfills where oxygen is scarce.
Marine Bacteria on the Frontlines
Since so much of our plastic ends up in the ocean, it’s no surprise that marine microbes have adapted to tackle the problem:
Alcanivorax borkumensis – Known for breaking down oil spills, this ocean-dwelling bacterium has also shown potential in degrading certain plastics.
Other salt-loving bacteria and microbes found on “plastisphere” communities (biofilms that form on floating plastic debris) are slowly evolving to digest the very material they colonize.
Why This Matters
These discoveries hint at a future where biological solutions complement recycling. Instead of burying plastics in landfills or burning them, we could deploy enzymes or microbes in specialized facilities to turn waste into reusable raw materials.
The Challenges Ahead
But there are hurdles. Microbes work slowly in nature, and scaling them for industrial use requires careful engineering. There are also ecological risks—releasing engineered organisms into the wild could disrupt delicate ecosystems.
Still, the progress is promising. In 2020, researchers combined enzymes from I. sakaiensis to create a “super enzyme” six times faster at digesting PET. Other labs are investigating fungal cocktails to speed up breakdown of mixed plastics.
A Lesson in Humility
To me, there’s something poetic here. For all our technological sophistication, the answers to some of our most pressing crises may lie in the quiet persistence of bacteria and fungi. While humans created the plastic age, nature may guide us through its cleanup.
The fight against plastic pollution is far from over. But with the help of these microscopic allies—from recycling plant bacteria to rainforest fungi and ocean microbes—we may yet turn the tide.
💚Meanwhile, here's what I found on the Internet on Edward Church, Ph.D
Institute for Environmental Entrepreneurship
Over the past 30 years, Edward Church has had wide-ranging experience in government, nonprofits and private business. Ed has served as the Executive Director of the Institute for Environmental Entrepreneurship since 2007, during which time he also had a part-time appointment with the Green MBA program of Dominican University in San Rafael. He won an award for innovation from the San Francisco Business Times as well as awards from the State of California, the County of Alameda and the City of Oakland. Ed was the Chief of Staff for the Mayor of Berkeley. He also served as a member of the Board of Directors of the Berkeley Chamber of Commerce, and the Mentoring Center and the Workforce Collaborative, both in Oakland. Ed was the founding Executive Director of the Berkeley Community Fund and for 20 years was a consultant and program executive for the Trio Foundation. Adding to his experience in the field of philanthropy, Ed directed the Livable Communities Initiative at the East Bay Community Foundation, a unique project that promoted smart growth and transit-oriented development. This led to his spending a sabbatical year as a Visiting Scholar at the Institute for Urban and Regional Development at UC Berkeley before coming to IEE. Previously, Ed was Program Director at Urban Strategies Council, an anti-poverty think-tank based in Oakland, California. He was the Founding Executive Director of Brighter Beginnings, a maternal and child health organization, going strong since 1984. Ed Church received his Ph.D. in sociology from the University of California at Berkeley in 1977.
Lastly, here's a discussion on Problem of Plastic Disposal Today:
The problem with plastic disposal is that plastics don't naturally decompose and instead break down into microplastics, leading to pollution of land, water, and air, which harms wildlife and human health. Poor waste management results in vast amounts of plastic accumulating in landfills, oceans, and the environment, with only a small fraction being recycled.Disposal via incineration releases greenhouse gases, and even recycling can spread microplastics and harmful chemicals into ecosystems. This cycle of production, disposal, and the widespread nature of plastic pollution poses risks to biodiversity, food safety, and economic stability.
Microplastics are small plastic pieces less than five millimeters long which can be harmful to our ocean and aquatic life.
People also ask
Is microplastic harmful?
Regarding the effects on the respiratory system, microplastics may cause oxidative stress in the airways and lungs when inhaled, leading to respiratory symptoms such as coughing, sneezing, and shortness of breath due to inflammation and damage, as well as fatigue and dizziness due to a low blood oxygen concentration.
Plastic waste pollutes soil, rivers, lakes, and oceans, forming massive amounts of trash, such as the garbage truck equivalent dumped into oceans every minute.
Toxic chemicals in plastics can disrupt endocrine systems, increase cancer risks, and cause other health problems.
Economic & Social Impacts
Damaged Economies:
Fishing and tourism are negatively impacted in coastal communities and small island nations by plastic pollution.
Disproportionate Impact:
Communities that contribute minimally to plastic pollution often suffer the most from its effects, including the marginalized communities of waste pickers who work in poor conditions to manage the waste.
The global recycling rate for plastic is very low, with most plastic waste accumulating in landfills, being incinerated, or leaking into the environment.
Even when plastic is recycled, the process can release microplastics and expose workers and recycled products to harmful chemicals.
Microplastics are small plastic pieces less than five millimeters long which can be harmful to our ocean and aquatic life.
People also ask
Is microplastic harmful?
Regarding the effects on the respiratory system, microplastics may cause oxidative stress in the airways and lungs when inhaled, leading to respiratory symptoms such as coughing, sneezing, and shortness of breath due to inflammation and damage, as well as fatigue and dizziness due to a low blood oxygen concentration.
THD Activity is hosting a Building Tour and Lecture of the Buck Institute for Research on Aging in Novato tomorrow. I wanted to sign in, but I realized there will be a lot of walking, Moreover, I have already scheduled my regular Bridge Game. If you follow my blogs you probably know that one of my favorite topics is Aging ( Gracefully and Longevity Research etc...) Thus this posting.
The Buck Institute for Research on Aging is an independent biomedical research institute that researches aging and age-related disease. The mission of the Buck Institute is to extend the healthy years of life. The Buck Institute is one of nine centers for aging research of the Glenn Foundation for Medical Research.
The institute, a nonprofit organization located in Novato, California, began its research program in 1999, making it the world's first institute founded primarily to study intervention into the aging process. It is named for Marin Countyphilanthropists Leonard and Beryl Hamilton Buck, whose estate funded the endowment that helped establish the institute, and the Buck Trust currently contributes approximately $6 million annually to support the institute's work. The campus of the Buck Institute was designed by architect I. M. Pei.
In May 2007, the institute established a cooperative agreement with the University of California's Davis and Merced campuses to coordinate stem-cell research.
The Building As seen from Highway 101.
Meanwhile, here’s a summary of the latest from the Buck Institute for Research on Aging (as of mid-2025), including recent findings, new tools, and research directions.
🔬 Key Recent Research & Findings
Neurons burn sugar differently — link to Alzheimer’s & GLP-1 drugs A study published in Nature Metabolism found that neurons accumulate too much glycogen (a stored form of glucose) in Alzheimer’s models. The buildup seems to be linked to tau pathology and worsened oxidative stress. Restoring an enzyme (glycogen phosphorylase) to break down that glycogen helps reduce the damage in fruit flies and human-derived neurons. BUCK The study suggests this may help explain why GLP-1 drugs (often used for metabolic issues) are showing promise in dementia. BUCK
New blood-based epigenetic “clock” focused on intrinsic capacity Researchers developed a biological-age clock that doesn’t just estimate how old someone is, but how well they’re aging in terms of function: mobility, cognition, mental health, vision, hearing, nutrition/vitality. This is called the “IC Clock.” BUCK
Therapeutic plasma exchange + IVIG reduces biological age A clinical trial led by the Buck Institute in Aging Cell showed that replacing a person’s plasma (therapeutic plasma exchange, TPE), and combining it with intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG), reduced biological age (measured via multi-omics biomarkers) by on average 2.6 years versus about 1.3 years with TPE alone. BUCK+1 The effect was stronger in people with poorer health markers, like elevated glucose. NAD+1
Other topics: reproductive timing, early puberty / childbirth effects Another newer Buck Institute study indicates that the timing of puberty and childbirth may accelerate aging and disease risk. BUCK
Use of CAR cells (immune therapy technology) to detect Alzheimer’s pathologies Buck scientists demonstrated proof-of-concept that chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) immune cells can detect both tau tangles and amyloid plaques, which are hallmarks of Alzheimer’s. This suggests possible new diagnostic or therapeutic strategies. BUCK
⚙️ Tools & Methods
Multi-omics biomarkers (epigenome, proteome, metabolome, glycome, immune system) are being used more and more for accurate tracking of aging and biological age. The plasma exchange + IVIG study is an example. BUCK
Intrinsic Capacity Clock (IC Clock) — new measurement tool that aims to quantify functional aging, not just chronological or molecular/structural aging. BUCK
🌱 Broader Implications & Trends
There’s a growing shift from purely molecular biomarkers/disease-based measures to functional/quality of lifemetrics (mobility, cognition, etc.) in aging research. Tools like the IC Clock embody this.
Clinical interventions targeting systemic biology (like plasma/immune interventions) are showing measurable effects in humans, which is big: moving beyond animal models.
The connection between metabolism, energy storage/use (glycogen in the brain, etc.), and neurodegeneration is being clarified. Interventions may emerge from this.
Also notable is an interest in reproductive history and its long-term effects on aging and disease risk.
