Becoming Age Proof – the science of ageing

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Prof Rose Anne Kenny, author of the best-seller “Age Proof” and a leading researcher on the science of ageing well.

A unique event for Science Week takes place on November 15th in Athlone as part of the Midlands Science Festival. Bestselling author of “Age Proof” and leading researcher into the science of ageing Prof Rose Anne Kenny will be speaking about her lifetime of work into ageing well. Prof Kenny is the founder of TILDA, a long-term study into ageing in Ireland. She is well known for her regular media appearances, her practical advice and ability to communicate complex science easily. Her book “Age Proof” was shortlisted for the Royal Society Science Book Prize 2022.   In the same year, she was nominated 24th Regius Professor of Physic [Medicine] at TCD, the first female nominee since the professorship started in 1637!!

It can sometimes seem that some people are immune to aging, while some people can seem a lot older than their years. Prof Kenny noted in her research no two 80 year olds are the same, some can run marathons, some are frail and in care. Why does this happen? It’s because our biological changes count more than the candles on our birthday cake. The good news is that we have a lot of things within our control to modify and improve most of the factors that influence our biological clocks. We control a remarkable 80% of our aging biology!! Having spent over 35 years in the medicine of ageing, Prof Kenny has a lot of advice to share from her research.

Her advice includes the importance of attitude, and her research has shown that people who feel their chronological age are more likely to develop physical frailty and poor brain health than those who claim to feel younger than they are. Older adults with negative perceptions about ageing are likely to die seven and a half years earlier, mostly because of higher rates of heart disease. She has also identified that having a purpose in retirement is really important as it creates contentment, especially as life changes. Her research has also found that friendships and social connections are really important. A Harvard Study found those who had strong social connections into their 80’s were less likely to succumb to cognitive decline

Stress is a key factor in how we age so we need to protect ourselves when we need to. But it’s not about having no stress, there is the good stress of going up and down the stairs or on the treadmill. Such stress is good not just for physical but also mental health. Those of us who live near Lough Ree might be glad to hear that swimming in a chilly lake is a physiological stress which can be good for our health as we age. Cold water in particular benefits a range of systems involved in the ageing process.

There’s so much to learn and it’s all good news as we can all do much to increase not just our lifespan but our health span. The event with Prof Rose Anne Kenny takes place in Buccaneers Rugby Club on November 15th and it is free but places must be booked on www.midlandsscience.ie

A Swift Evening In Mullingar

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A ‘stuffed’ common swift (Apus apus) in the collections of the National Museum of Ireland – Natural History

Science Week takes places this November and it includes a wide range of activities facilitated by Midlands Science in Laois, Offaly, Longford and Westmeath. As well as a wide range of events for children and teenagers, there is also an extensive programme for the general public exploring everything from the menopause to music. A special event is taking place in Mullingar on November 14th and it’s all about swifts, nothing to do with the well known singer Taylor Swift and her fans but about the birds who have been recorded in large numbers in Mullingar.

Where is one of the best places to see swifts in Ireland? How fast and how far do they fly? What do their eggs and natural nests look like? Discover this and more at the Midlands Science Festival by joining Geraldine Breen from the National Museum of Ireland – Natural History for her talk on the common swift – a summer visitor to Irish skies. This engaging talk welcomes swift beginners and enthusiasts and will cover an introduction to the species and how we can help them, as well as provide a peek behind the scenes into the swift collections held by the Museum. Geraldine Breen commented, “We are excited to be a part of the Midlands Science Festival for Science Week 2024 and are really looking forward to visiting Mullingar – a important destination for Irish swifts. Natural history museum collections, such as a ‘stuffed’ bird or skeleton, not only inspire museum visitors but also scientists and artists. These science collections help us to understand the natural world around us and guide us in protecting nature or biodiversity.  I’m really looking forward to sharing some stories about these fascinating collections, focusing on the wonder that is the common swift. Please join me on the 14th November as we celebrate Irish swifts and acknowledge the school drawing competition winners for their creations helping to raise awareness of Ireland’s biodiversity through science and art.”

Jackie Gorman, CEO of Midlands Science explained ; “this year we are delighted to welcome the National Museum of Ireland, Natural History to Mullingar for a special event for Science Week where we will all have the chance to learn more about swifts, those amazing aerial acrobats. Science is a great way to understand the world around us and to notice the wonder that is there. These tiny birds are superb flyers. They sleep, eat, bath and even mate while flying ! They rarely touch the ground and fly thousands of miles from Ireland each year to spend winter in Africa. Connecting with the natural world through learning more about birds like swifts can be really rewarding and interesting and this talk is suitable from age 12 and up.”

Associated with this event, there is also a Midlands Science drawing competition for primary and secondary school students who are been asked to draw swifts and some of the things that can be done to protect them and Westmeath organisations involved in nature and wildlife issues who include science in their work are encouraged to apply to Midlands Science for consideration for a Science for Nature Award which will provide the successful group with some education resources to use in their work. Both the drawing competition winners and Science for Nature group will be presented with their prizes before the swifts talk by Geraldine Breen of the National Museum of Ireland, Natural History and a small exhibition of photos of swifts by local wildlife photographer Conor Henry will be on display.

Other events in Westmeath this year include events focussed on cold water swimming, music, ADHD, and an Exploration Day for schools. A special science map of the midlands is being produced by Midlands Science with Dr Claire O’Connell and will include places and people of interest from each county related to science including a Westmeath man’s role in accurately measusing the temperature of the sun! The map will be available across the region and is free of charge. Pop-up activities such as events exploring optical illusions will also take place in local shopping centres. Events are all free of charge but must be booked in advance and all details are available on www.midlandsscience.ie

Special Science Week Event in Mullingar on the Menopause

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A free event exploring the science of the menopause takes place  on November 12th in Mullingar in the Greville Arms Hotel. Midlands Science are proud to present a special event titled “Menopause, Science and Me”, this event aims to shed light on the science behind hormones and menopause with leading menopause expert Dr Deirdre Forde of Ceile Medical.  The evening will commence at 7.45pm with tea and coffee.

The event involves Dr Deirdre Forde of Ceile Medical, she is a regular contributor to the national media on menopause issues, she will delve into the science of hormones and menopause in an accessible and engaging manner and the event will be facilitated by Dr Claire O’Connell who writes regularly about science for the Irish Times.

“We are excited to host this important and informative event, and we encourage women of all ages to learn more about issues such as  hormonal health and menopause. Science has made significant advancements in our understanding of the menopause and how to navigate the changes it brings. By attending this event, participants will gain valuable knowledge and be empowered by science. Let’s take the mystery of it and let’s talk about menopause” says Pauline Nally of Midlands Science.

New research from the Department of Health shows that 55% of women experiencing perimenopause and menopause describe it as a negative experience, with just 22% describing it as a positive experience. Data from the same  research shows that the majority of people (93%) agree that menopause can have a big impact on a woman’s everyday life and that one in three women in menopause say they have constant symptoms.

Admission to this event is free, but attendees are required to reserve their place in advance. Booking details can be found on the Midlands Science  website www.midlandsscience.ie or on the organisation’s Eventbrite page. This event is part of the Midlands Science Festival and it is supported by Research Ireland as part of national Science Week.

Special Science Week Event in Athlone on Drug Use and Abuse

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Science Week takes places this November and it includes a wide range of activities facilitated by Midlands Science in Laois, Offaly, Longford and Westmeath. As well as a wide range of events for children and teenagers, there is also an extensive programme for the general public exploring everything from the menopause to music. A special event is taking place in  Athlone on November 12th exploring the issues associated with drug use and abuse.

Jackie Gorman, CEO of Midlands Science explained ; “this year we are delighted to welcome Sean Kinsella to Athlone as Sean took part in our festival last year at an event we held in Tullamore about drug use and abuse and it was one of the most powerful events we had in some time in terms of helping people to see in a real way the link between science and society. Sean’s lived experience of addiction and recovery is a profound example of linking lived experience with scientific expertise and we are delighted to also have Dr Craig Slattery of UCD’s Conway Institute facilitating this event. If you are interested in the impact of drug use in communities and exploring what solutions to problems caused by such use might be, this is a vital event to attend.”

Dr Craig Slattery commented ; “According to the Health Research Board, in 2023 over 13,000 people in Ireland were treated for problem-drug-use by the National Drug Treatment Centre.  That was the highest annual number of cases ever recorded and over half of these people had been treated before. Cocaine was the most common drug-of-abuse reported, with opioids (primarily heroin) following closely behind. Drug abuse is an issue where science and society meet head-on with profound implications for individuals, families and for society. We hope this event will provide an open and interesting forum for everyone to discuss their views on this vital issue.”

In developing this event, Midlands Science has put a strong focus on both the science of this issue and the lived experience of people. One of the speakers Sean Kinsella is empowering lives through lived experience. With a profound history of overcoming adversity, Sean has emerged as a passionate advocate for personal transformation and growth. Sean’s unique path led him to work closely with individuals in addiction recovery, prison rehabilitation, and homelessness services. His engaging motivational talks have resonated with audiences in youth clubs, prisons, and treatment centres, providing hope and inspiration to those facing their own challenges. His journey of resilience and transformation exemplifies the incredible potential within each of us to rise above life’s obstacles and emerge stronger, happier, and more fulfilled.

The event is being delivered in partnership with Athlone Drugs Awareness Group and Cllr Frankie Keena, Chairperson of the group commented “information is a powerful tool as it empowers us to make decisions and to understand complex issues in a new way. This Science Week event is a powerful demonstration of the impact that sharing information and providing a forum for dialogue can bring to issues such as drug use and abuse.  I welcome the opportunity to work on this event with Midlands Science, supported by Research Ireland. I would encourage all those with an interest in the issue of drug use and abuse, whether as a concerned citizen, a youth worker or social worker and so on to come along. It’s a great opportunity to hear not just about the up to date science on the issue in an engaged way but to hear about the lived experience of addiction and recovery of Sean Kinsella, a very inspiring story indeed.”

Other events in Westmeath this year include events focussed on cold water swimming, music, ADHD, swifts and an Exploration Day for schools. A special science map of the midlands is being produced by Midlands Science with Dr Claire O’Connell and will include places and people of interest from each county related to science including a Westmeath man’s role in accurately measuring the temperature of the sun! The map will be available across the region and is free of charge. Pop-up activities such as events exploring optical illusions will also take place in local shopping centres. Events are all free of charge but must be booked in advance and all details are available on www.midlandsscience.ie