Three storm-lit steel safes sit in the rain with glowing stacks of cash at their base. Key Points Capital returns in the form of share buybacks and dividend payments are an attractive element for many investors, helping to boost value in ways other than through share price growth. In the current environment, companies able to provide solid cash flow for these returns are increasingly rare. Three names to keep an eye on for their cash flow and returns include Gilead Sciences, Applied Materials, and Qual ...

Core Argument - The prevailing aging models inadequately address the role of persistent pathogens (viruses, bacteria, parasites) as a significant driver of human aging and healthspan reduction [1] - Persistent pathogens can embed themselves in tissues and nerves, potentially driving various health problems later in life [2][3][4] - These pathogens can actively distort the signaling of human genes, impacting multiple hallmarks of aging [8] Pathogen Prevalence and Impact - Approximately 95% of individuals harbor one or more strains of herpes virus [5] - Around 11% of people in the US and up to 87% in some global regions carry the chronic parasite toxoplasma [6] - Persistent SARS-CoV-2 virus has been found in tissue samples months or years after initial infection [7] - Pathogens can drive mitochondrial dysfunction by hijacking host cell metabolism [10][11][12] - Viruses can integrate into telomeres, leading to shorter and more unstable telomeres [13][14] - Viral proteins can interact with and distort the signaling of human aging pathways [15] Proposed Solutions and Recommendations - The industry needs to seriously consider the impact of persistent pathogens when developing healthspan extending interventions [17] - Curbing the activity of pathogens should precede interventions like gene editing [18] - Integrating existing antiviral and anti-parasite medications into healthspan protocols is recommended [18] - Individuals with herpes simplex virus who regularly took anti-herpes virus medications had a 10 times lower risk of developing dementia [19] - Investment in new diagnostic test platforms to identify persistent pathogens is crucial [20][21] - Incorporating the activity of persistent pathogens into aging models is essential for successfully extending healthspan [22]