NARA'S NOTEPAD
VOLUME 23
JANUARY 2026
NUMBER 1
Thursday, January 1, 2026
MEMO FROM NARA
2025 has ended, and we're entering 2026 from this January. New Year greetings are flying from everyone to their friends and relatives. The season is winter. The weather is cool. The mornings are chilly. All of us wear some warm clothing depending on the intensity of the cold. Pleasant for some and unpleasant for others.
People
have new resolutions to undertake from 1 January 2026. Every New Year, people
like to follow a good way of life, like not smoking, not drinking alcohol,
helping others, exercising daily, etc. But one has to see how long these
resolutions are going to last. Some people are good at following their
resolutions till next New Year, whereas most others follow them for a month or
two and forget about them. That is human nature. I hope you stick to the
resolution you undertake as a duty and follow through on it throughout the year. I wish you all
the best.
On
this occasion, I remind you all that NARA’S NOTEPAD is completing 22 successful
years. The monthly blog I write every month regularly reached thousands of
readers like you who never missed a single issue. I read newspapers, magazines
and various kinds of books every day. I pick up important passages and transmit them to NARA’S NOTEPAD so that they reach thousands of readers. I really take a
pleasure in doing so. I hope to continue this service for the coming years, too.
Some of my neighbours who have the chance of meeting me personally, in fact,
congratulate me and also appreciate my effort. Such good, kind words encourage
me to do the work more efficiently every month. I take it as a point that the
issues are uploaded precisely on the first day of every month.
If
you like NARA’S NOTEPAD, please forward it to your dear ones, relatives and
friends. Let them also enjoy reading it and benefit. I wish you and your
friends and relatives a very happy New Year with many more successes and
achievements in life. All the best. - NARA
WHAT IS AGEING AND WHY DOES IT HAPPEN?
Ageing is simply the process of becoming older. Superficially, as we age, we appear to have more wrinkles and blemishes in the skin, and perhaps greyer hair. We don’t have the same strength, endurance, and even body shape as we did when we were younger. But on a molecular and cellular level in the body, what is driving these changes?
Cells are the building
blocks that form all our tissues. As we age, our cells age too. Stem cells,
which are cells that are capable of becoming a range of different tissues
(bone, muscle, blood, etc.), lose the capacity to undergo differentiation—the
ability to change from one cell type to another. This is problematic because
stem cells are responsible for replenishing damaged tissue, for example,
damaged cartilage in joints. So, the body cannot regenerate as effectively.
Unlike the cells in young
bodies, cells in the older person’s body also lose some of their metabolic
capacity and start to accumulate waste proteins, resulting in malfunction. This
is thought to occur because of several different reasons:
DNA damage arises from exposure to free
radicals (free radicals are high-energy molecules in the body capable of
destroying or damaging other molecules).
Shortening of telomeres (telomeres are
structures on the ends of your DNA that protect it from degradation).
Advanced glycosylation end products (AGEs)
(destructive molecules created from sugar) abnormally bond with other normal
proteins and fat molecules, and over time, these altered molecules accumulate.
Our cells may be intrinsically programmed
genetically to age and stop working.
Thus, the body loses its
ability to replace old or damaged cells, and those older cells start to
malfunction. This disrupts the complex biological processes in the body.
Cellular ageing processes
affect the musculoskeletal system, and we know that three things happen:
Bones lose density, becoming weaker and
more brittle (aka osteoporosis and osteopenia). Muscle mass and density decrease (a.k.a. sarcopenia)
The smooth cartilage which covers our
joints wears down. In the spine, all three of these processes occur in addition
to degeneration of the intervertebral discs—the structures which are
responsible for linking our vertebrae together. - Yoshihiro
Katsuura
PHYSICAL DISABILITY
Physical Disability: Understanding the Challenges and Coping Mechanisms
Physical disability is a
condition that affects a person's ability to perform normal daily activities
due to a physical impairment. This type of disability may be caused by an
accident or injury, a chronic illness, or a congenital condition. Regardless of
the cause, physical disability can present significant challenges to individuals,
families, and communities.
The effects of physical
disability can be both physical and psychological. Among the physical
challenges are difficulty with mobility, fatigue, pain, impaired vision or
hearing, and difficulty with fine motor skills. These challenges can make it
difficult for individuals to engage in typical daily activities, such
as going to work or school, shopping, driving, or exercising.
The psychological effects
of physical disability can be equally challenging. These may include feelings
of frustration, anger, sadness, and isolation. Individuals with physical
disabilities may feel like they are not able to participate fully in life or
that they are a burden on their family and friends. Coping with the
psychological aspects of physical disability is critical, and mental health
support should be an essential aspect of any treatment plan.
Despite these challenges,
individuals with physical disabilities can live fulfilling lives. There are
many coping mechanisms and treatments available that can help individuals with
physical disabilities overcome the limitations they face. These may include
physical therapy, occupational therapy, medication, assistive devices, and
modifications to homes, schools, and workplaces.
One important aspect of
coping with physical disability is community support. Individuals with physical
disabilities can benefit from assistance from family, friends, and caregivers.
Joining support groups or online communities can also be a useful way for
individuals with physical disabilities to connect with others who may be facing
similar challenges.
Another key factor in
coping with physical disability is resilience. Resilience is the ability to
adapt and recover after significant life challenges. Building resilience takes
time and effort, but it can help individuals with physical disabilities thrive.
Strategies to build resilience include focusing on strengths, setting
achievable goals, developing positive coping mechanisms, and seeking out
support.
In conclusion, physical
disabilities present significant challenges to individuals, families, and
communities. But
with the right treatment and support, individuals with physical disabilities
can live fulfilling lives. Coping mechanisms, community support, and resilience are all
essential elements in helping individuals with physical disabilities overcome
the obstacles they face and lead healthy, happy, and productive lives.
WHY THERE ARE FEW WOMEN IN THE FIELD OF SCIENCE?
There are several reasons why there are few women in the field of science.
- Stereotypes
and societal expectations:
Girls often grow up with the belief that certain fields, such as science,
technology, engineering and math (STEM), are not meant for them.
Scientific fields are often considered masculine, which dissuades girls
from pursuing these subjects.
- Lack
of role models: There are fewer female role models in
scientific fields. Girls are less likely to consider pursuing a career in
science if they do not see women succeeding in these fields.
- Bias
and discrimination: Women may
experience bias and discrimination in hiring, promotions or funding in
scientific fields.
- Work
– life balance: Women are often expected to balance
work and family responsibilities. The demanding nature of scientific
careers can make it difficult to achieve this balance.
- Unconscious
bias: Unconscious biases against women can
affect all aspects of their careers. Hiring managers or male-dominated
workplaces may undervalue women’s skills or abilities.
It is important to address these issues and
make changes to promote gender equality in the sciences. This includes
promoting female role models, addressing unconscious bias, providing support
for work-life balance, and increasing the representation of women in the scientific
field.
JUST TO LAUGH
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Towards the end of a long day’s drive over winding roads in the Welsh hills, a motorist was stopped by a policeman.
‘I’ll have to
report you for driving without rear lights,’ the constable said.
The motorist stepped
out of his car and gave a cry of despair.
‘It’s not as bad
as all that,’ said the policeman.
The tourist
replied, ‘I’m not worried about the lights. But where’s my trailer?’
LINES I LIKED
Ø Happier and blessed is the one who gives, not the one who receives.
Ø Happiness
can be fleeting, but hanging on to
those good times and not comparing your personal experiences to those of others
can help you remain happy for longer.
Ø Happiness
comes from acquiring things and accumulating possessions?
Accept that adversity is a part of life.
Meet you next
month –2026
Professor A. Narayanan, PhD, FISPP
SEND YOUR
COMMENTS TO:
E-mail: arumugakannu@gmail.com
Ph. 0422 4393017 Mobile: 75399 15614
(NARA’S
NOTEPAD)
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