The Environment Worldwide

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Inflammaging Challenge

A new study published yesterday suggests low-grade, chronic inflammation may be tied to environmental factors in industrialized countries, challenging the long-held belief that the biological process—known as "inflammaging"—is a universal part of growing old.     Researchers analyzed health data from four populations: two industrialized (Italy and Singapore) and two nonindustrialized (Indigenous communities in the Bolivian Amazon and Malaysia). The study found that while inflammation levels increased with age in industrialized societies, the pattern was absent in the nonindustrialized groups, where inflammation appeared mostly linked to short-term infections rather than chronic, age-related diseases.   The findings suggest the persistent inflammation seen in wealthier nations may be more influenced by lifestyle and environmental factors, such as diet, pollution, and levels of physical activity, rather than by aging itself. The study also highlights the need to consider cultural and environmental contexts when studying the biology of aging. Learn more about aging from 1440 Topics here.

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120 land and environmental defenders killed or disappeared in Latin America last year, report finds At least 146 land and environmental defenders were killed or have gone missing around the world in 2024, with more than 80% of those cases in Latin America, according to a report released Wednesday by watchdog group Global Witness. Read more.

Key points: The London-based organization said the region once again ranked as the most dangerous for people protecting their homes, communities and natural resources, recording 120 of the total cases. Colombia remained the deadliest country, with 48 killings — nearly a third of cases worldwide — followed by Guatemala with 20 and Mexico with 18.   “These countries are rich in natural resources and have vast areas of land under pressure for food and feed production,” said Laura Furones, lead researcher of the report. “Conflict over the extraction of such resources and over the use of such land often leads to violence against defenders trying to uphold their rights.”

RELATED COVERAGE ➤ Illegal gold mining is fueling a ‘mercury boom’ in Mexico, poisoning people and the environment   Colombia peace court sentences former FARC leaders for their role in thousands of kidnappings   After taking back land in Colombia, Indigenous prepare their youth to safeguard it