June 2023

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Big News
Titanic submersible suffers catastrophic implosion.
On June 18, 2023, an unfortunate incident occurred in the North Atlantic Ocean involving Titan, a submersible operated by OceanGate, an American tourism and expeditions company. Concerns first arose when the submersible failed to resurface as scheduled. This lead to an extensive search lasting nearly 80 hours, when a remotely operated underwater vehicle (ROV) eventually located a debris field containing fragments of Titan, situated about 500 metres (1,600 ft) from the bow of the Titanic. It has since been determined that during its descent the Titan experienced an implosion. Alongside ongoing efforts to recover the wreckage, investigations have been launched in an attempt to understand the cause of the implosion. However some unanswered questions persist, in particular around the safety of the vessel prior to launch. Regrettably, the tragedy became a source of entertainment on social media platforms, with little regard for compassion. Nevertheless, it is important to acknowledge the profound sadness associated with any loss of life and we can only hope that following the investigation steps will be taken to prevent such devastating incidents in the future.

Progress in neuroscience technology is unlocking the ability to restore mobility.
Rising ocean temperatures and the onset of El Niño, a term widely used to describe the warming of sea surface temperature that occurs every few years, indicate that 2023 is on track to become the hottest year ever recorded, pushing our planet into unexplored climatic territory. Throughout this year, we have already witnessed extreme and unprecedented heat waves which have ravaged various locations, including Puerto Rico, Siberia, and Spain. Additionally, scorching temperatures in Canada have fueled massive wildfires that cast a blanket of toxic smoke over New York City and Washington in recent weeks. These events serve as potential harbingers of unsettling trends, as climate change continues to take hold, painting a bleak picture for the future.

Littles News
Uncovering the role of taurine
Taurine, a nutrient naturally present in meat and fish and available as a supplement, has been discovered to enhance longevity and promote health across various animal species. This compound is abundant in the human body, particularly in vital organs like the brain, heart, and muscles and plays a role in numerous physiological processes, such as regulating cellular calcium levels, maintaining osmotic balance, and supporting antioxidant defence mechanisms. Remarkably, recent research into taurine has demonstrated significant health benefits in mice, monkeys, and worms, and now there are suggestions the compound could be associated with healthy ageing. In their work a team from the University of Pennsylvania provided a high dose daily regimen of taurine to 14-month-old mice, resulting in a lifespan increase of 10-23%. Published in the journal Science, the study revealed that male mice lived 10% longer, females 12% longer, and both genders displayed improved overall health. Additionally, 15-year-old rhesus monkeys were subjected to a six-month course of taurine. Although the study period was too short to observe changes in life expectancy, researchers observed positive impacts on body weight, bone health, blood sugar levels, and the immune system. The authors point out that further investigation is required to delve deeper into the connection between taurine and the ageing process, especially in humans. Nevertheless, the work lays a foundation to improve our understanding of what happens to our bodies as we age and a potential way to combat its negative effects.

What I’ve been enjoying
Stoic Guide to a Happy Life. If you've read my previous blog articles, you'll be aware of my fascination with philosophy, particularly modern Stoicism. During a recent visit to a bookstore, I couldn't resist adding another book on the subject to my ever-expanding collection of philosophical literature. "The Stoic Guide to a Happy Life" by Massimo Pigliucci caught my attention. Pigliucci is well known for simplifying the sometimes complex topic of Stoicism, and in this book he has distilled it into concise, bite-sized pages that can be conveniently read on the go. It's a book I intend to carry with me as a constant reminder of the philosophical wisdom that so often brings me joy.

P.S: If you want to read more content from me then check out my recent fiction work available now for free on Medium.