My Plan After 50 Blog

Brainbows on Show

Posted by Brunie

The most complex known object in the universe is...

...the human brain.

That's right. It is generally acknowledged among the scientific community that this organ that resides within our skulls and affects every part of our lives is (or has been) one of our least understood parts. Some work by scientists at Harvard University, however, is reported in the British press and holds fascinating possibilities for understanding this remarkable world within us. Through the use of computer-enhanced genetic tricks and fancy proteins, images have been created that track the hundreds of thousands of brain cells in 90 distinctive hues so tracks can be seen along the "dendrites and axons" that carry these electrical impulses through our brains. It's a color show ("brainbow") of the brain's functioning and visible to us all. There are huge implications for diagnosis of Alzheimer's, autism, and other neurodegenerative brain diseases. As we understand more about how these tiny parts of the brain work and are able to see disruptions, it is believed that this will open up whole new areas of treatment.

We at My Plan After 50 hope you enjoy this fascinating inner journey, and do all you can to know about and support such important advances.

Make Love, Not War...or better yet, Collaborate

Posted by Kris:

Recently, I've been reading the comments that people have been leaving on the Internet.  I've been listening to the political candidates (I live in Iowa, so it's hard not to trip over a presidential candidate right now).  In meetings and in the workplace, I watch the faces of Generation X and Y.  There's something stirring, just the slightest signs of tension. Occasionally there's a knowing instigator here and there trying to use the tension to create a rift.  Before we get so close to the edge that we can't step back from the precipice, let's reframe our situation. 

There's always been a constructive tension as one generation rises to replace the one before it.  As the Boomers grew into the footprints of the Greatest Generation, Baby Boomers too exhibited urgency to take over for their parents.  Their sheer numbers created a formidable wave in the workplace.  The world is once again on the edge of a generational "shift change."  But the numbers of workers required in the workplace and the numbers available will produce a shortfall. 

I know everyone is tired of hearing about Boomers.  I know you'd prefer the old "coasters" were gone.  We can start a generational conflict or we can collaborate to form the most powerful alliance of our time.  After all, Boomers gave the world Choice and a Voice.  The Boomers broke barriers for women, people of color and even men.  We all have far more choices in our lifestyles today because of their persistent demands for inclusion and openness.  Movements such as protecting the environment and the Peace Corps are still uniting the world in global efforts to make the planet a better place. There simply aren't enough of us to go it alone.  As they so often quote on Lost, "we can die alone or live together".  Think of the dynamics of having the power of Gen X and Y who understand technological mechanics teamed with Boomers who understand how to apply technology to solve business problems.  Instead of pitting generations against each other, let's create innovative, problem-solving teams.  This generational hand-off is about collaboration not elimination.

Deadly Bacteria Prevention

Posted by Brunie

At My Plan After 50, we hope you are able to incorporate these MRSA prevention techniques to make sure you and your loved ones are able to avoid contracting this dangerous bacterium. Here are some TIPS shared by a physician friend:

1. Wash your hands. This is the number one prevention behavior for this and many infections. Use anti-bacterial soap and warm, running water before and after handling food. These bacteria like to hide under fingernails so wash your hands thoroughly.

2. Freshen up with hand sanitizers. Carry alcohol-based swabs, bottles or towelettes with you everywhere and use them frequently and thoroughly.  Put hand sanitizers in your cars, gym bags, lunch boxes and anyplace that can harbor or attract germs. 

3. Keep broken skin (cuts, punctures, hang nails, etc.) clean and covered with a bandage. Even the smallest opening into the skin can be an access place for this bacterium.

4. Don't share towels, razors, combs or any items that come in contact with your skin.

5. If you share sports equipment with anyone, be sure to clean it thoroughly with an antiseptic solution before and after each use.

The health and safety of our readers is important to us and we urge you to incorporate these practices into your daily life.