Seniors hacking the lottery, living their best lives and inventing plant-based fuels | Full Episodes

Jerry and Marge Go Large (00:00:11)

• Jerry and Marge Selby, a retired couple from Michigan, discovered a mathematical loophole in a lottery game called "Windfall" that allowed them to consistently win millions of dollars.
• They formed a corporation, GS Investment Strategies, to manage their winnings and invited friends and family to invest in their lottery scheme.
• After Michigan shut down the Windfall game, they found a similar game in Massachusetts called "Cash Winfall" and continued their winning streak.
• Over the course of six years, they invested $4.2 million per year and won an average of $600,000 per play, resulting in an overall profit.
• Despite the physical and mental demands of their lottery operation, they found great satisfaction and enjoyment in their success.
• Their success caught the attention of the media, leading to an investigation by the Massachusetts state treasurer to uncover any potential organized crime or corruption.
• The investigation revealed that the Selbees' winnings were the result of their mathematical expertise and strategic betting, not illegal activities.
• The Selbees remained humble and used their profits practically, renovating their home and supporting their family's education.

90+ (Part 1) (00:13:58)

• The 90 Plus Study is a groundbreaking research study that aims to understand the factors that contribute to longevity and healthy aging in individuals aged 90 and above.
• The study has found that many participants, like Lou Tado and Sid Shiro, are in excellent physical and mental shape despite their advanced age.
• Regular exercise, even as little as 15 minutes a day, was associated with increased longevity, while non-physical activities such as book clubs, socializing, and playing board games also contributed to longer lifespans.
• Contrary to popular belief, clean living and taking vitamins did not significantly impact longevity, but moderate alcohol consumption (up to two drinks a day) was associated with a reduced risk of death.
• The study also found that maintaining or even gaining weight in old age was associated with increased longevity, while being underweight was detrimental.
• The 90 Plus Study is generating provocative and surprising findings in the areas of Alzheimer's and Dementia and will discuss romance and sex life after the age of 90.

90+ (Part 2) (00:26:45)

• The number of Americans aged 90 and above is projected to quadruple by midcentury, increasing the risk of dementia and Alzheimer's disease.
• The 90 plus study follows participants aged 90 and above, asking them to donate their brains after death to compare their life experiences with their brain structures.
• Contrary to common belief, the risk of developing dementia doubles every five years starting at age 65 and continues to increase with age.
• Diagnosing dementia is challenging as there are no definitive tests, and a diagnosis can only be confirmed by examining the brain after death.
• Neuropathologist Dr. Ronald Kim examines donated brains, finding that in 40% of cases in people over 90, what appears to be Alzheimer's is not confirmed in the brain.
• Dr. Kim found evidence of tiny microscopic strokes called micro infarcts in the brains of some participants, suggesting that these strokes may contribute to cognitive decline.
• High blood pressure in older individuals may be linked to a lower risk of dementia.
• A new type of PET scan can detect plaques during life, allowing researchers to study individuals with no signs of dementia who have plaques and tangles.
• Alzheimer's disease may not be solely caused by plaques or micro-infarcts, but rather a combination of factors and "hits" that accumulate over time.
• The 90+ study has received additional funding to research risk factors for specific types of dementia and identify protective genes.
• Key factors mentioned for healthy aging include drinking wine, consuming coffee, socializing, exercising, and gaining weight.

90+ (Part 3) (00:39:44)

• The 90 Plus study at the University of California Irvine is researching factors associated with longer life and memory in people aged 90 and above.
• Key factors associated with longevity include exercise, moderate alcohol and caffeine consumption, social engagement, and maintaining a slightly higher weight as we age.
• The study's focus has shifted to memory and dementia, with researchers finding that more children born today are expected to reach their 103rd or 104th birthday.
• Dementia is a complex syndrome with various causes beyond just Alzheimer's disease, and scientists are continually learning more about its complexities.
• Participants who donate their brains after passing away contribute to the study's findings, helping researchers better understand the aging process and dementia.
• A newly identified cause of dementia, TDP43, was found in the brain of a 99-year-old participant named Ted, who did not have the proteins usually associated with Alzheimer's disease.
• TDP43 is a protein originally found in ALS patients and is believed to account for up to one in five cases of dementia in people over 90.
• Some people with a significant amount of brain pathology, such as Henry Torell, maintain normal cognitive function, suggesting the existence of protective factors or resilience against dementia.
• The 90 Plus Study continues to investigate the factors contributing to resilience and healthy aging, aiming to help individuals reach old age with preserved cognitive function.

An Unlikely Inventor (00:53:00)

• Marshall Medoff, an 81-year-old inventor from Massachusetts, has dedicated over a decade to transforming inedible plant life into environmentally friendly transportation fuels.
• Despite having no formal scientific education, Medoff became obsessed with the environment and decided to pursue his passion as an amateur scientist.
• Medoff's key challenge was to extract sugar molecules from cellulose, the main component of plant cell walls, which is difficult to access cheaply and cleanly.
• Medoff eventually hired Craig Masterman, an MIT graduate in chemistry, to help him build a lab and implement his ideas using electron accelerators to break apart the cellulose and release the sugars.
• Medoff's company, Zyo, has developed a sugar-based bioplastic that can be programmed to disintegrate over specific time spans, addressing the issue of plastic waste accumulation.
• Zyo also produces environmentally friendly biofuels, such as ethanol, gasoline, and jet fuel, from plant sugars, with significantly reduced greenhouse gas emissions compared to traditional fossil fuels.
• Medoff's innovative approach has attracted investors and prominent figures to Zyo's board of directors, including former Shell oil executive Sir John Jennings and three former cabinet secretaries.
• Medoff's biofuel has the potential to make a significant dent in the petroleum market, possibly reducing it by 30%.
• Medoff's plant-based fuels, Cyose fuels, can be easily integrated into existing gas station pumps, making them convenient for consumers.