Headlines: August 8, 2011

by Tony Kikendall

The Journal of the American Geriatrics Society published a study that good genes are much more likely to determine which people live to 100 years than any healthful habits or lifestyle choices. Such people have genes which make their bodies age at a slower rate. However, good habits, such as eating healthfully or not smoking do determine how healthy a person is up until old age.

Medtronic, a medical technology company, will give Yale a $2.5 million grant to study the safety of Infuse, a medical product used for spinal fusions. Independently, outside researchers will then review Infuse. Certain side effects, such as bone loss, unwanted bone growth, infection, and male sterility, have had a correlation with the use of Infuse.


Tony Kikendall is a second year law student at Boston University. Please feel free to email him with any questions, comments, suggestions, or concerns.