Humans have been on a search for the proverbial fountain of youth long before Ponce de Leon’s quest led him to Florida in 1513. Every year, Americans spend millions of dollars on face creams that allegedly reduce wrinkles and supplements that are supposed to boost testosterone levels. But no one has ever come close to discovering an anti-aging drug until now. Last month, researchers from Washington University in St. Louis and Keio University in Japan announced they may have discovered a compound that reverses the aging process in humans.
The international group of researchers has been studying a compound called nicotinamide mono nucleotide (NMN). Its been shown to reverse diabetes and counter declines in metabolism, eyesight, and glucose intolerance in mice. It also activates proteins known as sirtuins which decrease in production as we age. Studies show that mice that were administered NMN lived longer and aged slower that mice that had not.
The results of the researchers’ tests in mice have been so positive that NMN will become the first anti-aging treatment to be tested on humans. Next month, scientists will administer NMN to ten human subjects to see if the compound stops the effects of aging. “We’ve confirmed a remarkable effect in the experiment using mice, but it’s not clear yet how much [NMN] will affect humans,” Professor Shinichiro Imai of Washington University said in a statement. “We’ll carefully conduct the study, which I hope will result in important findings originating in Japan.” If NMN is approved for use in humans, it will be the first anti-aging drug to be made available to the public.
“For better or worse, till death do us part” is the traditional ending to wedding vows. After a woman suffered a devastating injury that left her paralyzed from the waist down, those promises were no longer just words.
In the thread, she explains that she has a loving, supportive husband. They’ve been together for eight years, and he’s always been amazing. She then explains the current situation:
“Recently, I suffered a spinal cord injury that has left me paralyzed from the waist down. Doctors say it’s unlikely I’ll walk again. Since this happened, I can’t shake the feeling that my husband should leave me. I know it sounds awful, but I’ve seen so many stories online about partners leaving after someone becomes seriously ill or disabled. It’s made me incredibly insecure.”
She believes her husband deserves to be more than a simple caretaker:
“I brought it up with my husband, telling him he deserves better than being a caretaker for the rest of his life. He completely broke down, saying he married me because he loves me and isn’t going anywhere. We cried, he reassured me, and we cuddled for awhile, but the fear is still there.“
She continues to explain her fear that her husband will eventually feel trapped and resentful, turning to Reddit in search of advice that might alleviate those fears.
A woman wheeled around in a wheelchair. Photo credit: Canva
People share compassion and kindness in a difficult situation
This post has not been independently verified, and there is no guarantee that the details presented are true. However, the story of a woman fearing her marriage might unravel after a life-altering injury clearly struck a deep emotional chord. People wanted to share their own experiences:
“First. Believe him. If my husband was paralyzed, I’d be honored to take care of him.”
“Through sickness and health. He loves you and he’s choosing you. Love isn’t defined by your body.”
“No way I’d leave my wife due to that reason. And I know she wouldn’t leave me.”
“If he says he loves you and wants to be with you, don’t push him away because you’re paralyzed.”
“Trust that he knows what he is doing. He loves you and cares for you. Although you are the one paralyzed, he feels helpless for you too, and helping you actually helps him.”
“How do you get past those fears? Therapy, probably.”
“My wife suffered for years with different health issues. She was unable to work or do much of anything else. We couldn’t be intimate either. But I never considered leaving her.”
No one is ever truly prepared for a difficult challenge like paralysis. In such circumstances, having a loving partner can be crucial to a person’s emotional well-being. But is it a test some relationships can’t withstand?
A 2024 study examined how husbands and wives face serious spinal cord injuries. Couples who worked together, navigating stress instead of facing the challenge alone, were more resilient. Emotional and mental growth after the injury also helped them emerge stronger from the experience.
A 2022 study found that spinal cord injuries require strong support systems. When a partner becomes the sole caregiver, there’s excess stress, pressure, sadness, and worsening of their own physical health. However, support from others, family education, and learning how to handle the challenges help people do much better.
Success rates for couples facing severe injuries are not determined by the seriousness of the event itself. Instead, the greatest risk to a relationship’s stability is more closely linked to work-related health limitations and financial strain. A 2022 study found a significantly higher divorce rate over time compared to couples without these challenges.
Statistics from SpinalCord.com show that divorce rates are 1.5 to 2.5 times higher when an injury first occurs. However, after three years, the rate falls back to the national average. The data also highlight the importance of maintaining social connections with family and friends, as isolation can increase stress on a marriage.
Placing a wedding ring on her finger. Photo credit: Canva
She shares an update on Reddit
She recently shared an update on Reddit. Here’s some of what she had to say:
“The last few weeks have been good. He’s been a really good support, very loving, and has gone above and beyond. I’m very lucky. I still have my moments when I cry because of my life change, but I’ve gotten used to it now. My husband is genuinely a wonderful guy. I always knew he was, but since then, he’s just proven it even more. — I’ve started working again from home and am happy to be working again. Life is going back to normal and delighted by that.I want to thank everyone on my original post. Who had nice comments thank you.”
She goes on to share that her husband wants to renew their vows. Her fears and doubts that he might leave her have begun to fade. She has even started writing her own vows for their renewal ceremony.
It’s called the infinite scroll – a design feature on social media, shopping, video and many other apps that continuously loads content as you reach the bottom of the page. Handy? Yes. Clever? Also yes. Devious? Very much so. The infinite scroll is likely the main reason you find it so hard to stop scrolling once you begin.
To understand why this design feature is so devious, we need to understand the psychology and behaviours it taps into.
First, the infinite scroll takes away a natural stopping point – where you might decide that’s enough social media for today. For example, Instagram feeds once stopped after all chronologically new posts from followed accounts had been viewed, and even told us we were “all caught up” for the day. Now, algorithmic feeds combined with the infinite scroll mean there’s no way to ever be caught up with it all.
The second reason you find it so hard to stop scrolling is the promise of something good that might be just about to pop up in your feed. The algorithm “knows” what you like. So, hand-in-hand with the infinite scroll, it keeps feeding you all those tasty tid-bits.
Putting it bluntly, these features help create an addiction of sorts. The promise of a little hit of dopamine when we see content we love. And addictions are hard to beat – but not impossible.
Here are some quick wins and longer-term solutions if you want to break free from the grip of the scroll.
The quick wins
Create a break
Your device might be the problem, but it can also be part of the solution. Start by using your phone’s screen time features – such as Android’s Digital Wellbeing or Apple’s Screen Time.
You can also install a more sophisticated third-party app that forces you to break the patterns of mindless scrolling behaviour.
Apps such as One Sec, ScreenZen, Opal and Freedom can short-circuit the automatic habits associated with scrolling in various ways. These include putting mandatory pauses before social media apps open, or applying colour filters (like grayscale) to make apps less appealing.
They can even hard-block apps for specific periods of time if you really need a tough love approach.
Remove social media apps
This one’s usually met with an audible gasp when I suggest it, but you might find you adapt to not having social media at your fingertips faster than you’d imagine. You’re not deleting your accounts – just making it harder to open them and scroll.
Schedule some scrolling time
If you can’t imagine life without scrolling, schedule time each day for just that activity. It could be in your lunch break or when you get home from work: give yourself the freedom to scroll for the amount of time you set (say, 15 minutes) and don’t feel guilty about it. Just remember you still have to close the apps and get on with your life as soon as the time is up.
The hard work
The above might limit your scrolling in the short term, but long-term benefits (and emotional freedom) will likely take a bit more work.
The “easy” tips often work for a little while, when you’re motivated to change and feeling optimistic. But time and the pressures of life can start to erode your convictions.
So, to gain true freedom from scrolling, think about social media and whether it’s a relationship that serves you well. If you feel like it’s controlling you far more than you are controlling it, here are some things to consider. Be warned, they might not be easy.
What’s the deeper reason?
Think deeply about why you’re scrolling so much in the first place. Is it a lack of willpower? Are you avoiding something or someone? Are you suppressing feelings that you would prefer not to acknowledge?
All of these things can be reasons why we seek distraction. You might be avoiding a big thing (the state of a relationship) or a small thing (cooking dinner), but either way, scrolling is the symptom, not the disease. So, consider if scrolling might be part of a bigger problem you need to deal with instead.
Who’s benefiting whom?
Consider how much you really “need” social media. Do you actively use it in a way that benefits you (for example, as a business platform) or did you sign up out of curiosity years ago and have never really questioned why you’re still using it?
If it’s the latter, apply a critical lens to the platforms you use and how they serve you. On average, Australians use six to seven different social media platforms regularly. Think about what you might gain from spending less time scrolling, but also think about whether your life would be worse without some of them.
If you can’t think of a really compelling reason as to why it would be worse, it might be time to say goodbye to a few.
These “hard” options will take time and effort, and require you to reflect on your habits. But, like with most things, the reward for effort is likely to be greater, and last longer.
Science might be closer than ever to solving your aching knee problems. Researchers at Northwestern University have created a rubbery goo that can regrow cartilage in damaged knees.
Cartilage cushions joints, keeps movement smooth and pain-free, and reduces pressure on bones—from standing still to a vigorous hike. However, when it’s damaged by injury or simple wear and tear, the road to recovery can be extremely challenging. Cartilage has a very limited ability to regrow and heal itself.
This breakthrough bioactive material doesn’t just passively sit in the body, it binds to and integrates with surrounding tissue, promoting cartilage regeneration. The substance forms a network of components that imitate the body’s natural environment. A scaffold-like structure allows cells to connect and rebuild cartilage tissue.
“The problem is that, in adult humans, cartilage does not have an inherent ability to heal,” said Samuel I. Stupp, who led the study. “Our new therapy can induce repair in a tissue that does not naturally regenerate. We think our treatment could help address a serious, unmet clinical need.”
Bioactive material regenerates high-quality cartilage
In the study, Stupp and his team applied the material to damaged cartilage in sheep. These animals have weight-bearing loads comparable to human knees.
The biomaterial, made from short protein fragments and a modified version of hyaluronic acid, behaves similarly to naturally occurring cartilage in the body. Stupp explained the reasoning behind using hyaluronic acid, saying, “It’s also naturally found in many tissues throughout the human body, including the joints and brain. We chose it because it resembles the natural polymers found in cartilage.”
After fewer than six months, the new cartilage showed high-quality regeneration and strong indications that the repair could work in humans.
Cartilage damage is unfortunately very common, affecting more than 500 million people worldwide. For decades, the message has been discouraging: once cartilage is damaged or disappears, it’s gone for good.
A 2025 study found that current treatments, such as surgery, cell implants, and microfracture, may help in the short term but often produce weaker cartilage soon after. Failure rates for microfracture surgery have led to as many as 41% of patients requiring total knee replacement. Finding reliable, long-lasting solutions is still a work in progress.
A 2025 study on cartilage repair found that, although many people felt better after surgery, up to 48% developed arthritis over time. Only 17–20% returned to playing sports, and some required additional surgeries, including knee replacement.
Researchers believe the bioactive material could be used in most joint surgeries. With these promising findings, the goo-like substance could one day make a meaningful difference for anyone hoping to move without pain again.
“By regenerating hyaline cartilage, our approach should be more resistant to wear and tear, fixing the problem of poor mobility and joint pain for the long term while also avoiding the need for joint reconstruction with large pieces of hardware,” Stupp said.
