The Future of Everything

Happy New Year! For many of us, a new year brings a renewed sense of motivation when it comes to health. Earlier this year, Russ sat down to speak with Jonathan Long, a Stanford biochemist who studies the chemicals produced during exercise. The conversation was one of our most popular during 2024 and today we’re re-sharing it. As many of us look to create healthy habits in 2025, we hope you’ll tune in to hear the exciting research Professor Long is doing to better understand the deep chemical connections between diet, exercise, and human health. Have a question for Russ? Send it our way in writing or via voice memo, and it might be featured on an upcoming episode. Please introduce yourself, let us know where you're listening from, and share your quest. You can send questions to [email protected] Reference Links:Stanford Profile: Jonathan Z. LongJohnathan’s Lab: LongLab@StanfordConnect With Us:Episode Transcripts >>> The Future of Everything WebsiteConnect with Russ >>> Threads / Bluesky / MastodonConnect with School of Engineering >>> Twitter/X / Instagram / LinkedIn / FacebookChapters:(00:00:00) IntroductionHost Russ Altman introduces guest Johnathan Long, a professor of pathology at Stanford University.(00:01:55) Effective Weight Loss DrugsThe history and development of GLP-1 receptor agonists.(00:03:27) Understanding Metabolism and ExerciseThe role of metabolic chemicals released during physical activity.(00:05:02) Animal Models in Exercise Studies The use of animal models in exercise studies and the discovery of Lac-Phe.(00:06:40) Psychological Preparation for Exercise The psychology of exercise preparation and the involvement of endocannabinoids.(00:08:53) Lac-Phe's Role and Mechanism Lac-Phe’s role in suppressing appetite and its production in the gut.(00:11:46) Differences in Exercise Response Exercise response between trained athletes and untrained individuals.(00:12:50) Diabetes and Metabolic Diseases The relationship between diabetes, exercise, and metabolic diseases.(00:14:54) Lac-Phe as a Potential Therapeutic Lac-Phe’s potential and parallels to the early stages of GLP-1 drug development.(00:16:13) Importance of How Weight is Lost The importance of losing fat while preserving lean muscle mass.(00:19:04) Exercise as Medicine The need to define physical activity at the same resolution as modern medicines.(00:22:03) Metformin and Exercise Pathways The unexpected connection between metformin and the Lac-Phe pathway.(00:23:53) Prospects of an Exercise Pill The future of an exercise pill, and challenges associated with its development.(00:26:57) Conclusion  Connect With Us:Episode Transcripts >>> The Future of Everything WebsiteConnect with Russ >>> Threads / Bluesky / MastodonConnect with School of Engineering >>>Twitter/X / Instagram / LinkedIn / Facebook

Happy Holidays! However you’re celebrating, we hope you’re able to find time to connect with friends, family, and loved ones. To accompany you through the season, we’re re-running one of our most popular episodes from 2024, the future of skin longevity with Professor Zakia Rahman. As an expert in dermatology, Professor Rahman explains that our skin is our most photographed organ, and taking care of it is not about vanity but rather vitality. Tune in to hear our conversation about everything from laser therapies to sun protection.Have a question for Russ? Send it our way in writing or via voice memo, and it might be featured on an upcoming episode. Please introduce yourself, let us know where you're listening from, and share your quest. You can send questions to [email protected] Reference Links:Stanford Profile: Zakia RahmanStanford Center on LongevityConnect With Us:Episode Transcripts >>> The Future of Everything WebsiteConnect with Russ >>> Threads / Bluesky / MastodonConnect with School of Engineering >>> Twitter/X / Instagram / LinkedIn / FacebookChapters:(00:00:00) IntroductionHost Russ Altman introduces guest Zakia Rahman, a professor of dermatology at Stanford University.(00:02:05) The Impact of Digital Technologies How digital technologies and image exposure affect dermatology and self-perception.(00:03:20) Effects of Self-Image on Dermatology Balancing vanity and vitality in modern skincare trends.(00:04:46) The Role of Lasers in Dermatology The use of laser technology in dermatology, including types and applications.(00:08:25) Lasers in Skin Cancer Treatment How laser technology aids in the treatment and prevention of skin cancer.(00:09:52) Progress in Skin Cancer Skin cancer prevention and the effectiveness of sun protection measures.(00:13:10) Effectiveness of Physical Sun Protection The protective benefits of everyday clothing versus specialized sun-protective gear.(00:18:35) Ethnic Differences in Skin Health The differences in skin health and sun exposure across various ethnic groups.(00:23:24) Aesthetic and Cultural Implications in Skin Care How cultural perceptions of beauty intersect with skincare and overall health.(00:25:46) Therapeutic Effects of Light The potential skincare benefits of red light therapy and its popularity.(00:28:33) Conclusion  Connect With Us:Episode Transcripts >>> The Future of Everything WebsiteConnect with Russ >>> Threads / Bluesky / MastodonConnect with School of Engineering >>>Twitter/X / Instagram / LinkedIn / Facebook

Leanne Williams is an expert in depression. The first thing that she wants the world to know is that depression is not some sort of character flaw, but a real illness with symptoms that can impair one’s ability to function day to day. The past decade has seen remarkable advances, she says, as functional MRI has opened new avenues of understanding depression’s mechanisms and its treatments. These are hopeful times for the science of depression, Williams tells host Russ Altman on this episode of Stanford Engineering’s The Future of Everything podcast.Have a question for Russ? Send it our way in writing or via voice memo, and it might be featured on an upcoming episode. Please introduce yourself, let us know where you're listening from, and share your quest. You can send questions to [email protected] Reference Links:Stanford Profile:  Leanne WilliamsConnect With Us:Episode Transcripts >>> The Future of Everything WebsiteConnect with Russ >>> Threads / Bluesky / MastodonConnect with School of Engineering >>> Twitter/X / Instagram / LinkedIn / FacebookChapters:(00:00:00) IntroductionRuss Altman introduces guest Leanne Williams, a professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science at Stanford University.(00:02:13) What Is Depression?Distinguishing clinical depression from everyday sadness.(00:04:02) Current Depression Treatment ChallengesThe trial-and-error of traditional depression treatments and their extended timelines.(00:06:46) Brain Mapping and Circuit DysfunctionsAdvanced imaging techniques and their role in understanding depression.(00:09:33) Diagnosing with Brain ImagingHow brain imaging can complement traditional diagnostic methods in psychiatry.(00:10:52) Depression BiotypesIdentifying six distinct biotypes of depression through brain imaging(00:14:41) Biotypes and Personalized TreatmentsHow biotypes allow for targeted therapies and improve treatment outcomes.(00:19:33) AI in Depression TreatmentUsing AI to refine biotypes and predict treatment outcomes with greater accuracy.(00:22:45) Psychedelics in Depression TreatmentThe potential for psychedelic drugs to target specific biotypes of depression.(00:24:16) Expanding the Biotypes FrameworkIntegrating multimodal approaches into the biotype framework.(00:27:59) Reducing Stigma in DepressionHow showing patients their brain imaging results reduces self-blame and stigma.(00:30:08) Conclusion Connect With Us:Episode Transcripts >>> The Future of Everything WebsiteConnect with Russ >>> Threads / Bluesky / MastodonConnect with School of Engineering >>>Twitter/X / Instagram / LinkedIn / Facebook

Guest Michael Greicius is an authority on Alzheimer’s disease. He makes the case that while effective treatments have remained elusive, there are high hopes for new approaches that target tau proteins in the brain associated with the disease. In the meantime, to reduce Alzheimer’s risk stay active, eat well, and manage circulatory risks, but skip genetic testing for now until better treatments emerge, Greicius tells host Russ Altman on this episode of Stanford Engineering’s The Future of Everything podcast.Have a question for Russ? Send it our way in writing or via voice memo, and it might be featured on an upcoming episode. Please introduce yourself, let us know where you're listening from, and share your quest. You can send questions to [email protected] Reference Links:Stanford Profile:  Michael GreiciusConnect With Us:Episode Transcripts >>> The Future of Everything WebsiteConnect with Russ >>> Threads / Bluesky / MastodonConnect with School of Engineering >>> Twitter/X / Instagram / LinkedIn / FacebookChapters:(00:00:00) IntroductionRuss Altman introduces guest Michael Greicius, a professor of neurology and neurological sciences at Stanford University.(00:02:12) Understanding Alzheimer's DiseaseThe roles of amyloid and tau proteins in Alzheimer's disease.(00:04:53) Challenges in Developing TreatmentsThe multiple hurdles in creating Alzheimer's therapies.(00:09:07) Current Alzheimer's DrugsThe controversies and limitations of recently approved drugs.(00:10:23) Amyloid Plaques and Their ImpactWhy removing amyloid plaques hasn’t improved patient outcomes.(00:14:29) Problems with Alzheimer's TrialsThe disconnect between amyloid removal and patient outcomes.(00:18:03) Functional Unblinding and Trial BiasHow functional unblinding affects trial results and drug evaluations.(00:23:51) The Potential of Targeting TauNew breakthroughs in targeting tau protein for Alzheimer’s.(00:26:35) The Future of PreventionPotential preemptive treatments for Alzheimer's and their administration.(00:29:19) Lifestyle and Risk ReductionRecommendations for reducing risk of Alzheimer’s disease.(00:31:43) Conclusion Connect With Us:Episode Transcripts >>> The Future of Everything WebsiteConnect with Russ >>> Threads / Bluesky / MastodonConnect with School of Engineering >>>Twitter/X / Instagram / LinkedIn / Facebook