The Secrets of Supercentenarians- Maria Branyas Morera

From My Readings on Aging and Longevity This Week

Unlocking the Secrets of Supercentenarians: What Maria Branyas Morera’s Genome Reveals About Aging

When a supercentenarian—someone who lives past 110—is interviewed, the question inevitably comes up: What’s your secret to longevity? Some credit olive oil, others red wine, faith, or family. But what if the real secret isn’t just in lifestyle, but written into their DNA?

This is the fascinating question scientists sought to answer in a recent paper published in Cell Reports Medicine. The study examined the genome of Maria Branyas Morera, a U.S.-born Spanish woman who, at the time of her death in August 2024, held the title of the world’s oldest living person. She was 117 years and 168 days old.

A Life Spanning Three Centuries

Maria Branyas lived through both World Wars, the Spanish Civil War, the Great Depression, the digital revolution, and the COVID-19 pandemic. She was born in San Francisco in 1907 before moving to Spain as a child, and her life became a living archive of the 20th and 21st centuries. But beyond her extraordinary personal history, her body carried genetic clues about why she managed to avoid many of the diseases—like heart disease, diabetes, and cancer—that claim lives much earlier.

What Her Genome Tells Us

The study of Branyas’ genome revealed protective genetic variants in pathways linked to cellular repair, inflammation, and neuroprotection. In particular, researchers identified subtle differences in how her body regulated immune responses and repaired DNA damage—two factors strongly tied to aging and disease resistance.

While no single “longevity gene” explains her remarkable lifespan, the findings suggest that supercentenarians may carry a unique combination of genetic advantages that slow down aging at the molecular level.

Can We All Benefit?

The dream, of course, is that by studying these rare individuals, we might uncover insights that could help the rest of us live longer, healthier lives. If scientists can learn how Branyas’ body naturally resisted disease and slowed cellular aging, those pathways could inspire new therapies for age-related conditions.

Already, longevity research is booming—from drugs that mimic calorie restriction, to stem cell therapies, to gene editing. Supercentenarians like Maria Branyas provide a kind of natural experiment, showing us what’s biologically possible.

The Bigger Picture

Still, genetics is only part of the story. Maria herself often credited her longevity to a calm life, strong social connections, and avoiding stress—reminders that lifestyle and mindset matter, too. The truth likely lies in the intersection of genes, environment, and personal resilience.

As scientists continue decoding the DNA of supercentenarians, we may inch closer to understanding the mysteries of human longevity. And perhaps, one day, Maria Branyas Morera’s genetic legacy will help us all add not just years to life, but life to years. 

For More Details on her life read: 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maria_Branyas

Meanwhile, here some of the art work of my youngest daughter Ditas

https://delrayartisans.org/organizer/ditas-katague/

http://www.grievingthruglee.com/

Finally, Happy 100th Birthday to the Legendary Paul Newman

A century of greatness — actor, director, philanthropist, and racing champion — your legacy shines brighter than ever.

From unforgettable classics like Cool Hand Luke, The Hustler, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, and The Sting, to your Oscar-winning performance in The Color of Money, you brought depth, charm, and authenticity to every role.

Beyond the screen, your kindness and generosity — through Newman’s Own and your countless charitable contributions — changed lives and continue to make the world a better place.

At 100 years, we honor not only your extraordinary career but the man of integrity and compassion you were. Your name stands for excellence, empathy, and everlasting inspiration.

 

My Personal Reflection on Ethnic Slurs

This posting is inspired from a recent event here at THD. A few months ago, Our African-American Driver resigned on the spot, after a resident called her the 5 letter derogatory word beginning with a N as alleged. However, I talked to the resident who was rumored to do it, and she categorically denied it. So the truth remains elusive.

Moving Forward,  here's my posting and reflection on Ethnic slurs. For a list of its ethnic slurs and their origin visit:       

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_ethnic_slurs

The Weight of Words: Reflections on Ethnic Slurs

I have been thinking lately about the power of words. Not the uplifting kind that inspire us or bring us closer together, but the darker side of language—the words meant to cut, to isolate, to remind someone they do not belong. Ethnic slurs fall into that category, and they carry a weight heavier than most of us like to admit.

Every culture, it seems, has developed its own arsenal of insults aimed at outsiders. They often start as labels, nicknames, or crude descriptions of appearance, speech, or habits. But over time, they take on venom. They become shorthand for a whole web of prejudice, history, and inequality. A single word can summon centuries of exclusion and humiliation.

I sometimes wonder why societies cling to these words. Part of the answer lies in power. Slurs are never just random insults—they are tools that keep someone in their “place.” They are a reminder of who is dominant and who is marginalized. Even when tossed off as a “joke,” their impact lingers like a scar.

What is perhaps most striking is how these words can echo across generations. A slur used against a grandparent doesn’t simply vanish when times change. Its shadow lingers in the stories told at the dinner table, in the way families teach their children to brace themselves for a world that may not welcome them fully. The pain is inherited, even when the words are no longer spoken.

At the same time, language is never static. Some communities have attempted to reclaim the very words once used to degrade them. In certain contexts, the slur becomes a badge of pride, an act of defiance: “You cannot hurt me with this word anymore.” But reclamation is complicated. It doesn’t erase the history, and it doesn’t give universal permission for use. What empowers one person can still wound another.

I think often of how slurs survive in more subtle ways today. Sometimes they are hidden in online memes, or in coded language meant to slip past polite society. Sometimes they are softened, rebranded, or disguised as humor. But the intent—exclusion, mockery, control—remains the same.

So where does that leave us? Perhaps it begins with recognition. We cannot pretend these words are harmless. They carry too much history, too much blood and struggle. Yet, by examining them openly, by teaching younger generations their weight and their history, we can strip them of some of their casual cruelty.

In the end, it comes down to a simple truth: words matter. They always have. They shape our world, our relationships, and our sense of belonging. And while ethnic slurs remind us of the darkest corners of human speech, our refusal to accept them as “just words” is one step toward something brighter—toward a culture where dignity speaks louder than derision.

Meanwhile, 

In a stunning medical discovery, scientists have found a previously unknown organ hidden deep inside the human throat. This new organ, a pair of salivary glands located near the upper throat behind the nose, was detected accidentally while researchers were studying cancer patients using advanced imaging technology.

For centuries, anatomy textbooks listed only three major salivary gland pairs, the parotid, submandibular, and sublingual glands. The discovery of this hidden set, now referred to as the tubarial glands, adds an entirely new piece to our understanding of the human body. These glands are believed to play an important role in lubricating and protecting the upper throat and nasal passages.

The finding has huge medical implications. Knowing about the tubarial glands could help doctors avoid accidentally damaging them during treatments like radiation therapy for head and neck cancers. Protecting these glands may prevent complications such as chronic dry mouth and swallowing difficulties, improving patient recovery and quality of life.

This remarkable discovery proves that even in the 21st century, there are still secrets left in human anatomy. It reminds us that the human body is more complex and mysterious than previously thought, and that groundbreaking discoveries can still reshape science and medicine.

Lastly, here are the top ten Words That Wound: A Reflection on Ethnic Slurs and Their Origins

The image above is a human face partially covered by a mosaic of broken words, with the words blurred or fragmented so they’re unreadable. The fragments look like shards of glass — dangerous, sharp — but they’re falling away, revealing the person’s real face beneath.

Symbolism:

• The blurred fragments represent slurs — present in history, but robbed of power when they’re not given full form.

• The broken glass effect conveys the harm of these words, while also suggesting that harmful language can be shattered.

• The emerging face symbolizes dignity, resilience, and the humanity that slurs try but fail to erase.

Language has always been a double-edged sword. It can uplift, bind us together, and carry stories across generations. But it can also cut deep, leaving scars that linger long after the moment of speech has passed. One of the harshest examples is the persistence of ethnic slurs — words invented to reduce entire peoples to stereotypes, often in times of conflict or fear.

As someone who loves words, I’ve often reflected on how these expressions didn’t appear out of thin air. They were forged in the fires of history: wars, migrations, misunderstandings, and prejudice. To look at them honestly is not to endorse them, but to understand where they came from and why they still sting.

Here are ten of the most well-known slurs, paired with their origins.

• “Chink” emerged in the 19th century, tied to Chinese laborers who crossed oceans to build railroads and mines. The sound of the word mimicked mockery of their language and appearance.

• “Jap” was a neutral shorthand before WWII, but Pearl Harbor weaponized it into an insult of suspicion and hate, used against Japanese Americans even in internment camps.

• “Paki” appeared in Britain in the 1960s as South Asians arrived to fill labor shortages. Instead of welcome, they met brick walls of racism — the slur was shouted on streets, painted on walls, etched into memory.

• “Kraut” reduced Germans to sauerkraut jars during two world wars, a way of dehumanizing an enemy through cuisine.

• “Mick” branded Irish immigrants in the U.S. and UK as poor, unwanted outsiders, their common “Mc” surnames turned against them.

• “Spic” grew from mocking the accented English of Spanish-speaking immigrants: “no spik Inglis.” A language barrier became ammunition for exclusion.

• “Wop” greeted Italian immigrants in early 20th-century America, rooted in the word guappo but twisted to imply lawlessness and unworthiness.

• “Kike” followed Jewish immigrants through Ellis Island, likely tied to Yiddish-speaking newcomers who signed with circles rather than crosses.

• “Gypsy” carried centuries of stigma for the Romani people, wrongly thought to be from Egypt, forever associated with thievery and deceit.

• “Gook” rose in U.S. military slang during the Korean and Vietnam wars, a way to erase individuality and humanity from the “enemy.”

Each of these words is a fossil of a particular historical moment — immigration waves, wars, cultural clashes. But unlike fossils, they are not frozen in stone. They live on in memory, in prejudice, and sometimes, sadly, in daily use.

Why revisit them? Because pretending they don’t exist doesn’t erase their power. Understanding their origins helps us strip them of mystery and exposes them for what they are: tools of fear and control. When we speak openly about them, we reclaim a little bit of that power for ourselves.

For me, this is less about the words themselves than about the stories they carry. Every insult tells us something about who was seen as a threat, an outsider, or simply “other.” And every reflection reminds us that the same weapon can be blunted — by awareness, empathy, and a refusal to repeat the cycle.

We inherit the language of the past, but we don’t have to inherit its cruelties.

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Personal Note: During my first year in Graduate School in Chicago in 1960,  I heard someone called me chink and told to go home. At that time, I did not know the meaning of the word, So, I just ignored it and had no effect on me. Today, If I heard that word, it would probably hurt, but since I am Filipino- American, I rather heard the word flip(just kidding). 

My Life Reflection Today

I feel a little blue today as I post this reflection of My over 90-years here In Planet Earth 

A Life in Reflection: My Journey as a Blogger, Civil Servant, and Witness to Change

When I launched my blog in 2009, I didn’t set out to build a legacy. Truthfully, I just wanted a place to think out loud, to put order to the flood of information coming at me each day. I remember my very first post: it was short, almost tentative, like dipping a toe into unfamiliar waters. I wrote about a news item that had caught my attention, more commentary than confession. But when I hit “publish,” something shifted. My thoughts weren’t just mine anymore. They were part of a larger conversation. That’s how it began—quietly, modestly.

Before that, my life had followed a very different rhythm. I spent my career at the Food and Drug Administration, a place most people don’t think about unless they’re worried about their food, their medicine, or a national emergency. At FDA, I learned how decisions made in cubicles and conference rooms ripple outward into the lives of millions. It was steady, serious work, and while it wasn’t glamorous, it mattered.

September 11, 2001, was a day when all of that came into sharper focus. I was working when the news broke, watching with disbelief as the towers fell. In the days that followed, there was no time to process the shock—we were too busy adapting. There were concerns about bioterrorism, about the safety of the drug supply, about whether the systems we relied on could hold under such strain. I remember one meeting where we reviewed protocols for handling potential anthrax contamination. The weight of responsibility was overwhelming. I walked out into the crisp September air that evening, carrying the silence of colleagues who knew that the world had changed forever. That moment marked me, and it stayed with me long after I left government service.

Blogging, when I began it years later, became the outlet I didn’t know I needed. It gave me a way to return to questions that haunted me—about resilience, about fear, about how societies respond to crisis. But it also opened up space for wonder. One of my most memorable posts was about a scientific breakthrough: researchers had managed to restore vitality in aging monkeys. Not mice, not lab cells—monkeys, our closest cousins. I remember typing the words, pausing as I thought: if science can truly make the old young again, what does that mean for us, for me, for the way we measure life? Writing about it was my way of wrestling with the awe.

I didn’t only write about science and politics. Culture found its way in too. When Paolo Pasco, a Filipino-American Jeopardy! champion, burst into headlines, I felt a rush of pride that I had to capture on the page. Growing up Filipino-American, I knew how rare it was to see someone who looked like me celebrated on such a stage. That blog post wasn’t analysis—it was joy, plain and simple, and readers responded to it with their own stories of pride.

The blog also gave me permission to explore darker corners. I once wrote about the origins of ethnic slurs, not to sensationalize them but to strip them bare, to show how language can wound, exclude, or diminish. That post drew heated comments, some supportive, others angry, but I welcomed it. Blogging taught me that writing isn’t about agreement—it’s about engagement.

In recent years, the writing has grown more personal. I live with stage 4 kidney disease, and I made the deliberate choice not to pursue dialysis. I remember the conversation with my doctor when the options were laid out on the table. Dialysis might buy me more time, but at what cost? To be tethered to a machine, to spend what energy I had left in clinics and waiting rooms—it felt less like living and more like surviving. I chose otherwise.

That choice has given me a new perspective on time. Every post now feels both urgent and calm. Urgent, because I know my days are numbered; calm, because I no longer pretend otherwise. I’ve even prepared a final blog post to go live when I am gone. In it, I want readers to see not just my illness, but my life: the FDA years, the aftermath of 9/11, the reflections that carried me since 2009, and the community of readers who walked alongside me.

Looking back, what strikes me most is how connection threads through all of this. Blogging has introduced me to readers I’ve never met, people scattered across the globe who take the time to read, to comment, to argue, to share. There’s a quiet miracle in that. One man sitting at his desk, typing out reflections, and somehow those words find a home in the minds of strangers.

I don’t pretend my blog will change the world. But it has changed mine. It has given me a voice outside of bureaucracy, outside of illness, outside of silence. It has given me a place to be fully present in history as it unfolds—and to leave something behind when I no longer can.

If there is one thing I hope readers take from my words, it’s this: keep bearing witness. Pay attention, whether in writing, in conversation, or simply in how you live. Because life is both fragile and vast, and none of us gets to keep it forever. But we do get to leave a trace.

This blog is mine.

And until that final post arrives, I’ll keep writing. Because the world, for all its chaos, is still full of things worth noticing.

Meanwhile, here's my photo Sculpture of the Day- Bacchus and Ampelus

Buck Institute for Research on Aging- Tour and Lecture

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. 

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🔬 Key Recent Research & Findings

1. 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

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

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⚙️ 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

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🌱 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.

For Details visit: 

https://proto.life/2022/07/the-buck-institute-where-the-promise-of-aging-research-isnt-longevity/

Lastly, my photo of the Day

Memories of Our Kauai Vacation, 2015

Who is Charlie Kirk? Political Polarization After Death

The killing of Charlie Kirk a couple of days ago generated so much controversial discussions in social media, showing the political polarization of America. Here's my contribution to the most publicized killing in the first 9 months of Trump's Second-term of Presidency.   

Charlie Kirk, a prominent conservative commentator and founder of Turning Point USA, left a significant imprint on American political and religious discourse before his tragic death in September 2025. His life was marked by outspoken faith, vigorous engagement with college audiences, and an unwavering dedication to his convictions.

Early Life and Founding of Turning Point USA

Kirk launched Turning Point USA at just 18, spurred by his zeal to bring conservative ideas to young Americans. His campus events became focal points for debate, drawing supporters and detractors alike. Through these appearances, Kirk modeled assertive yet respectful dialogue, often emphasizing principles over personal attacks.

Faith and Public Identity

More than a political provocateur, Kirk defined himself foremost as a Christian. He spoke openly about his Evangelical faith, advocating for unity among Christians and frequently engaging with Catholic communities. Faith was not a talking point for Kirk but a core motivator, influencing both his activism and his approach to divisive issues such as abortion.

Engaging Dissent and Emphasizing Dialogue

Even critics conceded Kirk’s exceptional willingness to host conversations with those holding opposing views. His forums fostered tough exchanges on controversial matters, but Kirk consistently advocated for debate as an antidote to violence and polarization. Admirers and adversaries alike noted his courage in defending free speech, even as he courted controversy with his rhetoric.

Legacy and Tragic Death

Charlie Kirk’s assassination at age 31 shocked supporters and critics across the political spectrum. Public tributes recalled his energy, clarity, and passion for his causes, as well as his devotion to family—leaving behind his wife Erika and two small children. For many, his passing underscored both the dangers of current political tensions and the continuing need for civil, substantive discourse.

Remembering Kirk

• Kirk’s example called young people to defend their beliefs with “logic, clarity, courage, and peace,” modeling debate without resorting to hate.

• His advocacy for pro-life positions and willingness to seek unity across Christian denominations left a lasting mark on religious and cultural conversations.

• His murder became a symbol for both the vulnerability of public figures in divisive times and the ongoing struggle to maintain respectful, meaningful dialogue.

Charlie Kirk’s voice—in life and death—remains a potent reminder of the challenges facing political and religious communities, and the necessity of bridging divides with both passion and respect.

Meanwhile here's my reflection on political polarization after his death

The assassination of Charlie Kirk is more than a national tragedy—it is a stark mirror reflecting the extremes of political polarization that now define American life. In a republic once grounded on tolerance for divergent views, the boundaries of debate have hardened, dialogue has given way to vilification, and violence too often supplants persuasion.

The Dangers of Demonization

Political polarization today runs far deeper than policy. It shapes identity, fuels suspicion, and—at its worst—leads individuals to see ideological opposites as existential threats. When adversaries become "enemies," words escalate to dehumanization, and violence becomes thinkable. Charlie Kirk was often controversial, but even those who disagreed with his rhetoric now mourn a world where murder supplants argument.

Leadership and Escalation

Leaders set the tone. In the hours after Kirk's death, President Trump adopted a combative posture, blaming the political left, dismissing calls for unity, and seeking "retribution" against perceived adversaries. Both left- and right-wing rhetoric intensified, with social media rife with blame and counter-blame well before motives were known. This cycle of grievance and retaliation erodes the possibility of productive disagreement. Every attack becomes a new justification for further escalation.

Costs for Democracy

History and recent research show that political assassinations deepen fragmentation, sap public trust, and stifle participation in democratic processes. Polarization narrows the space for compromise, turning common ground into lost territory. Instead of citizens seeking to persuade one another, each group increasingly preaches only to its own, and violence begets fear, cynicism, and withdrawal from civic life.

A Call for Dialogue Over Violence

Kirk's death is a reminder that democracy depends on more than laws—it thrives only when opponents see each other as people first, not as enemies to be silenced by force. Condemning political violence is not enough. There must be a renewed effort, by leaders and citizens alike, to reject incendiary rhetoric, foster respect across divides, and recommit to argument as the only just path to change.

If the aftermath of Charlie Kirk’s murder is to mean anything, it should not be deeper trenches and louder threats. The call must be for courage in dialogue, humility in disagreement, and the kind of national mourning that asks: 

Here are two questions Americans must ask: How did American debate become a battlefield? And what will it take to reclaim it as common ground? 

Here's the latest development on Charlie Kirk shooting.

https://www.cnn.com/politics/live-news/trump-administration-charlie-kirk-news-09-14-25

Finally, here are 3 photos of my Grand Children Visit Today

Newton at Brunch: From Left to Right: Alix Katague Quinn💚, Brendan Quinn💜, Philip Katague💙, Marina Katague 💖and Me 
 

In Front of the Liberty Pavillon Mural- Photo taken by new neighbor Richard Kessin 

Here are the LinkIn websites of the Four:   

💜https://www.linkedin.com/in/brendanjohnquinn/

💚https://www.linkedin.com/in/alixkatague/

💖marina katague

💙https://www.linkedin.com/in/phil-katague-356569105/

At My Apartment Patio with my Blooming Bougainvilla on the Backgroud