Uncovering Buried Secrets—R. Weir on Cold Cases, Cults, and K-9 Heroes

Award-winning author R Weir joins me on the podcast to discuss his gripping new mystery, Justice For The Forgotten. In this mystery, retired police officer Donnie Steel and his loyal K-9 partner, Kogel, are hired to dig into a cold case murder—only to find themselves up against a powerful cult leader determined to keep dark secrets buried.
We chat about R’s inspiration for his newest series, how he creates his characters, and crafting page-turning suspense.
If you enjoy crime fiction filled with relentless investigators, unexpected twists, and unforgettable characters (human and K-9), you won’t want to miss this conversation. 

For more about R. Weir visit: rweirauthor.com/
For more about my K-9 books, visit: kathleendonnelly.com


Randy Weir, Justice For the Forgotten, Ep. 8

Federica Grosso from the  Institute for Genetic and Biomedical Research (IRGB) of the National Research Council (CNR) in Monserrato, Italy, describes a #research paper she co-authored that was #published in Volume 17, Issue 8 of Aging-US, entitled “Causal relationships between gut microbiome and hundreds of age-related traits: evidence of a replicable effect on ApoM protein levels.”

DOI - https://doi.org/10.18632/aging.206293

Corresponding author - Serena Sanna - serena.sanna@cnr.it

Video interview - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qYg42_gn_pw

Abstract

In the past 20 years, the involvement of gut microbiome in human health has received particular attention, but its contribution to age-related diseases remains unclear. To address this, we performed a comprehensive two-sample Mendelian Randomization investigation, testing 55130 potential causal relationships between 37 traits representing gut microbiome composition and function and age-related phenotypes, including 1472 inflammatory and cardiometabolic circulating plasma proteins from UK Biobank Pharma Proteomic Project and 18 complex traits. A total of 91 causal relationships remained significant after multiple testing correction (false discovery rate p-value <0.05) and sensitivity analyses, notably two with the risk of developing age-related macular degeneration and 89 with plasma proteins. The link between purine nucleotides degradation II aerobic pathway and apolipoprotein M was further replicated using independent genome-wide association study data. Finally, by taking advantage of previously reported biological function of Faecalibacterium prausnitzii we found evidence of regulation of six proteins by its function as mucosal-A antigen utilization. These results support the role of gut microbiome as modulator of the inflammatory and cardiometabolic circuits, that may contribute to the onset of age-related diseases, albeit future studies are needed to investigate the underlying biological mechanisms.

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Keywords - aging, causal inference, aging, gut microbiome, inflammatory proteins, age-related macular degeneration

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Aging-US

Behind the Study: Gut Microbiome Links to Age-Related Traits and ApoM Protein

In this episode of the Longevity & Aging Series, Girish Harinath from AgelessRx joins host Dr. Evgeniy Galimov to discuss a research paper he co-authored in Volume 17, Issue 4 of Aging-US, titled “Influence of rapamycin on safety and healthspan metrics after one year: PEARL trial results.”

DOI - https://doi.org/10.18632/aging.206235

Corresponding author - Stefanie L. Morgan - stefanie@agelessrx.com

Video interview - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7-NvskI8Ve0

Longevity & Aging Series - https://www.aging-us.com/longevity

Abstract

Design: This 48-week decentralized, double-blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled trial (NCT04488601) evaluated the long-term safety of intermittent low-dose rapamycin in a healthy, normative-aging human cohort. Participants received placebo, 5 mg or 10 mg compounded rapamycin weekly. The primary outcome measure was visceral adiposity (by DXA scan), secondary outcomes were blood biomarkers, and lean tissue and bone mineral content (by DXA scan). Established surveys were utilized to evaluate health and well-being. Safety was assessed through adverse events and blood biomarker monitoring.

Results: Adverse and serious adverse events were similar across all groups. Visceral adiposity did not change significantly (ηp2 = 0.001, p = 0.942), and changes in blood biomarkers remained within normal ranges. Lean tissue mass (ηp2 = 0.202, p = 0.013) and self-reported pain (ηp2 = 0.168, p = 0.015) improved significantly for women using 10 mg rapamycin. Self-reported emotional well-being (ηp2 = 0.108, p = 0.023) and general health (ηp2 = 0.166, p = 0.004) also improved for those using 5 mg rapamycin. No other significant effects were observed.

Conclusions: Low-dose, intermittent rapamycin administration over 48 weeks is relatively safe in healthy, normative-aging adults, and was associated with significant improvements in lean tissue mass and pain in women. Future work will evaluate benefits of a broader range of rapamycin doses on healthspan metrics for longevity, and will aim to more comprehensively establish efficacy.

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Keywords - aging, rapamycin, geroscience, longevity, healthspan

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Longevity & Aging Series (S3, E6): Girish Harinath

Dr. Leonard Egede, Dr. Rebekah Walker, and Dr. Obinna Ekwunife from the Department of Medicine at the University of Buffalo, NY, describe their #research paper #published in Volume 17, Issue 8 of Aging-US, entitled “Longitudinal relationship between social and CVD risk factors in older adults with prediabetes: the HRS 2006-2016.”
#interview #authorinterview #aging #prediabetes #cardiovascular #health #openaccess #openscience #peerreviewed #journal #publication #publishing #meded

DOI - https://doi.org/10.18632/aging.206308

Corresponding author - Leonard E. Egede - legede@buffalo.edu

Video interview - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1MSTk3GQAGA

Video transcript - https://aging-us.net/2025/10/08/behind-the-study-social-and-cardiovascular-risk-factors-in-older-adults-with-prediabetes/

Abstract

Background: This study examines how multiple social risk factors influence cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk control over time in older adults with prediabetes using a nationally representative cohort.

Methods: Data from the Health and Retirement Study (HRS) included 5,086 U.S. adults aged 50+ with prediabetes. Five social risk domains (economic stability, environment, education, healthcare, and social context) were examined as independent variables, while CVD risk factors included glycemic control (HbA1c), systolic blood pressure (SBP), and cholesterol ratio (total cholesterol/high-density lipoprotein). Mixed-effects models assessed relationships between social risk factors and CVD outcomes, adjusting for age, gender, race, and marital status.

Results: The sample had an average age of 68.6 years, with 60.2% female, and 70.97% identifying as non-Hispanic Black. Average HbA1c was 5.7, SBP 129.4, and cholesterol ratio 3.85. Limited education was consistently associated with increased CVD risk—HbA1c (β = 0.03, 95% CI: 0.01–0.06, p < 0.001), SBP (β = 4.34, 95% CI: 2.96–5.71, p < 0.001), and cholesterol ratio (β = 0.08, 95% CI: 0.01–0.16, p < 0.05) —in the fully adjusted model. Medication cost-related non-adherence was significantly associated with higher HbA1c levels (β = 0.03, 95% CI: 0.002–0.06, p < 0.05). Difficulty paying bills and lack of health insurance were both significantly associated with higher cholesterol levels (β = 0.03, 95% CI: 0.002–0.06, p < 0.05) and (β = 0.22, 95% CI: 0.15–0.30, p < 0.001), respectively.

Conclusions: Social risk factors, particularly limited education, significantly impact CVD risk in older adults with prediabetes.

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Keywords - aging, prediabetes, social determinants of health, health equity, cardiovascular health, population health

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Behind the Study: Social and Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Older Adults with Prediabetes

Linda Gordon, American Historian and Author of "Dorothea Lange: A Life Beyond Limits," talks about how photographer Dorothea Lange helped show that documentary photography could also be art, and also discusses Lange's unique ability to capture her subject's natural state.  The full interview from a 2009 episode of "Conversations On The Coast with Jim Foster" can be heard now wherever you get your podcasts.

Dorothea Lange A Life Beyond Limits by Linda Gordon

In the latest episode of the State of the Arts Podcast, host filmmaker and writer Des Doyle chats with Catherine Doyle, internationally bestselling and award-winning author of The Dagger and the Flame, The Rebel And The Rose and The Storm Keeper trilogy.

Produced in partnership with Film Ireland and supported by Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland through the Screen Stakeholders Funding Scheme, the State of the Arts series explores the creative processes, industry challenges, and new opportunities that both Irish and international creatives face in today’s ever-evolving artistic landscapes.

In this conversation, Doyle shares insights into her creative journey - from inspirations, to the practical aspects of building emotionally rich, imaginative worlds for young readers, to writing Romantasy books with the City Of Fantome trilogy and  co-authoring the bestselling Twin Crowns trilogy. She discusses her journey, becoming successful, and gives helpful insight into how she managed to pen 13 books in a decade.

Follow the journey of State of the Arts here: https://www.instagram.com/sotapod/

Read more about this episode here: https://www.filmireland.net/state-of-the-arts-podcast-bestselling-author-catherine-doyle-with-host-des-doyle

State of the Arts: Bestselling Author Catherine Doyle (The Dagger and the Flame) with host Des Doyle

Joe Gores, author of "Glass Tiger," discusses an excerpt of the novel in which an assassination was attempted on a newly-elected President, and how American politics changed over the years in how many elected officials stay in public office for their entire lives.  The full interview from a 2006 episode of "Conversations On The Coast with Jim Foster" can be heard now wherever you get your podcasts.

Glass Tiger by Joe Gores

Peter Greenberg, author of "Hotel Secrets from the Travel Detective: Insider Tips on Getting the Best Value, Service, and Security in Accomodations from Bed-and-Breakfasts to Five-Star Resorts," talks about how a traveler can find the best deal for a hotel room by calling hotels directly.  The full interview from a 2005 episode of "Conversations On The Coast with Jim Foster" can be heard now wherever you get your podcasts. 

Hotel Secrets by Peter Greenberg

Amy Greene, author of "Bloodroot," reads several short excerpts from the novel set on remote Bloodroot Mountain within the eastern Tennessee mountains.  The full interview from a 2010 episode of "Conversations On The Coast with Jim Foster" can be heard now wherever you get your podcasts.

Bloodroot by Amy Greene

In this episode of the Longevity & Aging Series, Dr. Amparo Santamaria from the Reproductive Hematology Unit at the IVIRMA Alicante Clinic in Spain joins Dr. Evgeniy Galimov to discuss her #research paper #published in Volume 17, Issue 6 of Aging-US, titled “Enhancing oocyte activation in women with ovarian failure: clinical outcomes of the Stem Cell Regenera study using G-CSF mobilization of peripheral blood stem cells and intraovarian injection of stem cell factor-enriched platelet rich plasma in real-world-practice.”

DOI - https://doi.org/10.18632/aging.206274

Corresponding author - Amparo Santamaria - Amparo.santamaria@ivirma.com

Video interview - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zlezd0x_EJQ

Longevity & Aging Series - www.aging-us.com/longevity

Abstract

The study assesses the effectiveness and safety of the Stem Cell Regenera Treatment for oocyte activation in women with ovarian failure, including conditions such as Poor Ovarian Response (POR), Diminished Ovarian Reserve (DOR), and Premature Ovarian Insufficiency (POI). This retrospective observational study was conducted from January 2023 to December 2024 at the IVIRMA Alicante Clinics in Spain.

Women diagnosed with ovarian failure participated in the study, which involved mobilizing Hematopoietic Stem Cells from bone marrow into peripheral blood using granulocyte colony- stimulating factor (G-CSF). This was followed by an intraovarian injection of Stem Cell Factor- enriched Platelet Rich Plasma (SCFE-PRP).

The primary outcome measures were the rate of oocyte activation, leukocytes and stem cell count, and pregnancy rates. Oocyte activation was defined as an increase in total Antral Follicle Count of three or more follicles after treatment and/or at least a 20% rise in Anti-Müllerian Hormone levels. Safety was assessed based on adverse effects. Pregnancy rates were evaluated for both spontaneous gestation and following in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment.

A total of 145 women participated: the overall activation rate was 68.28%, with 7.07% achieving spontaneous gestation and 14.14% achieving pregnancy following IVF. Mobilization of CD34+ cells was successful in all participants, with an average collection of 32.96 CD34+ cells/μl. No severe adverse effects were observed. The study concluded that the Stem Cell Regenera Treatment is effective and safe for oocyte activation in women with ovarian failure in real-world practice.

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Keywords - aging, Stem Cell Regenera, oocyte activation, ovarian regeneration, G-CSF, SCFE-PRP, ovarian failure

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Longevity & Aging Series (S3, E7): Amparo Santamaria

Though we don't have video footage from the night of my debut novel's launch, I'm very grateful we still have this audio! Libri and I rerecorded the podcast for Between The Lines at Libri, but I'll never forget how special it was on this magical night. Give it a listen if you're up for some mayhem! ♡

The Bleeding Woods's Debut Night

Linda Greenlaw, author of "Seaworthy: A Swordboat Captain Returns to the Sea," reads an expert from the book illustrating her relationship with swordfish and what they are all about.  The full interview from a 2010 episode of "Conversations On The Coast with Jim Foster" can be heard now wherever you get your podcasts. Photo: lindagreenlawbooks.com.

Seaworthy by Linda Greenlaw

Lev Grossman, author of "The Magicians," talks about the difference between Quentin Coldwater, the main character in his novel, from that of Harry Potter.  The full interview from a 2009 episode of "Conversations On The Coast with Jim Foster" can be heard now wherever you get your podcasts. Photo: levgrossman.com.

The Magicians by Lev Grossman

Brittany A. Marasciulo-Rivera, or Brittany Amara, is an author, actress and model. She is a lover of all things science fiction, fantasy, horror and romance, and like a true air sign, struggles to keep to just one of them in her work. When she isn’t writing about curious aliens, morally gray protagonists, rifts in reality and all things playfully wicked... she's searching for photoshoots and film roles that'll make her feel like she's slipped into another universe.

Aging-US is dedicated to advancing our understanding of the biological mechanisms that drive aging and the development of age-related diseases. Our mission is to serve as a platform for high-quality research that uncovers the cellular, molecular, and systemic processes underlying aging, and translates these insights into strategies to extend healthspan and delay the onset of chronic disease.

Read about the Aging (Aging-US) Scientific Integrity Process: https://aging-us.com/scientific-integrity

Authors from around the world discuss their book with host Jim Foster. "Conversations On The Coast with Jim Foster" aired for over two decades on radio stations in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Covering all things cinema on the island of Ireland.

The Authors on the Air Global Radio Network is an international digital media corporation featuring  podcasts, book reviewers and conference media coverage..  Our content is available on audio and video platforms in 153 countries.

New tracks tagged #authorinterview