The Download: a secretive antiaging drug and joining virtual power plants

Summarized from technologyreview.com


The article discusses a secretive anti-aging drug developed by Generation Lab, which claims to “block the systemic spread of aging in the bloodstream, reawaken the body’s own repair mechanism, and restore health and youth to multiple tissues.” The treatment is based on research by Generation Lab’s founder, Irina Conboy, who discovered that joining the circulatory systems of old and young mice improved the old animals’ healing abilities. Conboy now asserts that a combination of two existing drugs can achieve similar youthful effects without the need for bodily fluid exchange; however, Generation Lab refuses to disclose the specific drugs involved, casting doubt on the credibility of the claim.

Additionally, the article introduces the concept of virtual power plants (VPPs), which are networks of household devices such as smart thermostats, electric vehicle chargers, and solar panels that utilities can control to reduce electricity consumption during peak hours. Participants in VPPs receive discounts on their energy bills and, in some cases, signing bonuses. The piece provides guidance on how individuals can join a VPP and evaluate whether doing so is beneficial for them. This discussion is part of MIT Technology Review’s “How To” series, which offers practical advice on various topics.