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Beth Newcomb

Meditation may lower risk of dementia, new study reveals – and experts say they now think they know why (Daily Mail)

By In the News

Daily Mail featured research led by Mara Mather on how breathing exercises may reduce risk factors for dementia. “We found that daily sessions involving breathing slowly to increase oscillations in heart rate tends to decrease levels of amyloid-beta in the blood, Mather said. “Amyloid-beta is a peptide (a small protein) that is a normal byproduct of cellular activity that is, like other metabolic waste products, usually cleared out of the brain and body. However, if production levels are too high or clearance rates are not high enough, amyloid-beta levels increase and can start to aggregate (stick together) in the brain, forming amyloid-beta plaque, a signature feature of Alzheimer’s disease.”

Slow breathing during meditation reduces Alzheimer’s-related proteins in the blood (PsyPost)

By In the News

PsyPost featured research led by Mara Mather, reporting that slow, controlled breathing during meditation was linked with reduced blood levels of amyloid-beta proteins associated with Alzheimer’s disease risk. “Despite hearing all the same mindfulness instructions, the two conditions showed opposite effects after one week of daily practice,” Mather said. “The mindfulness alone condition showed increases in plasma amyloid-beta while the mindfulness plus slow breathing condition showed decreases.”

Email reminders boost use of database for safe prescribing (MedicalXpress)

By In the News

MedicalXpress reported on a randomized clinical trial co-led by USC researchers showing that reminder emails significantly increased clinicians’ use of prescription drug monitoring databases designed to support safer prescribing. USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology faculty member Mireille Jacobson noted that while prescribing patterns did not change, increased database use could still lead to better-informed care.

Why older workers are your competitive edge—Not a succession problem (Forbes)

By In the News

Forbes highlights how organizations often misinterpret workforce succession plans by focusing on how soon experienced employees will leave instead of the value they bring in judgment, pattern recognition, and institutional memory. The piece features insights from Paul Irving, senior advisor at the Milken Institute and distinguished scholar-in-residence at the USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology, on why older workers remain a strategic asset even as AI reshapes work. “Organizations know this. They just refuse to act on it because runway is easier to measure than wisdom,” Irving said, noting that sustainable advantage lies in keeping seasoned professionals engaged rather than simply planning for their exit.