The world, the universe and us The evolutionary price we pay for longer lives; the asteroid coming VERY close to Earth; how dinosaurs shaped the ecosystem
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Sep 19, 2025 In this engaging discussion, guest Alex Wilkins, a science journalist specializing in astronomy, dives into the evolutionary trade-offs we face for longevity, particularly the double-edged sword of inflammation. He explains how our immune system promotes longer lives but can lead to chronic health issues. The conversation shifts to the asteroid Apophis, set to pass close to Earth in 2029, exploring its significance for planetary defense. Lastly, Alex reveals how dinosaurs were ecosystem engineers, reshaping landscapes and rivers long before their extinction.
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Inflammation Drives Many Age Diseases
- Chronic, low-grade inflammation (inflammaging) arises when immune defences stay mildly activated without threat.
- That persistent inflammation contributes to heart disease, diabetes, kidney disease, mental illness and ageing.
Death-Fold Proteins Prime Immune Altruism
- Death-fold domain proteins let immune cells crystallize and self-destruct to amplify inflammatory signals quickly.
- That rapid altruistic suicide protects against infection but also leaves cells primed to misfire and spark chronic inflammation.
Priming Enhances Response And Risk
- Having many death-fold proteins primes immune cells for fast decisions but increases spontaneous self-destruction risk.
- These spontaneous crystallisations could drive chronic inflammation as we age.
