Is Alzheimer's infectious?

The 'germ theory' of Alzheimer's draws new interest.and a possible million-dollar prize

Nicholas Kamm/AFP/Getty Images Trump's tweets about blacks play into some of the 'deepest stereotypes about race' "Extraordinarily low IQ person," "crazy," "unhinged" and a “dog” are all words President Trump has used this year to describe black public figures who criticized him. A look at the president’s tweets this summer highlights the venomous tirades that question the intelligence of Rep. Maxine Waters, journalist Don Lemon and NBA star LeBron James and black NFL players who kneel during the national anthem to protest social injustice and police brutality. Trump’s rhetoric appears to have sunk his favorability ratings with the black community — an ABC News/Washington Post poll found his approval rating with African-Americans at 3 percent. Michael Bradley/AFP/Getty Images Secrets of success from a 102-year-young runner Man Kaur is still running — and winning gold medals. She recently picked up a gold in the 200-meter race for the 100-to-104 age group at the World Masters Athletics Championships in Malaga, Spain. The Indian great-grandmother only started running in 2009, when her son, who is now 80, urged her to take up track and field. What made him take his then-93-year-old mother to the track? It was mainly a whim — and a desire to keep her fit. Kaur has a message for younger folks: Keep away from junk food and stick to an exercise regimen   Ariel Davis for NPR Germ warfare: Doctor offers $1 million for research on potential cause of Alzheimer's Is Alzheimer's disease, the most common form of dementia worldwide, caused by a germ? By "germ," we mean microbes like bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites. In other words, is Alzheimer's infectious? The "germ theory" of Alzheimer's has been fermenting in the literature for decades. Dr. Leslie Norins, a physician turned publisher, thinks it's worth looking into. "From a two-year review of the scientific literature, I believe it's now clear that just one germ — identity not yet specified, and possibly not yet discovered — causes most AD,” Norins tells NPR. “I'm calling it the 'Alzheimer's germ.' "   Eleanor Beardsley/NPR Champagne makers bubble over a bumper crop caused by European drought Europe had one of its hottest summers on record this year, but the heat and drought in France’s Champagne region delivered a tasty upside. "What I'm hearing around me, even from people older than 80 years, is that this is the best harvest they've ever had," says Philippe Schaus, the CEO of Moet Hennessy. The Champagne region is expected to produce at least 10 million more bottles than last year, and it is expected to be some of the best bubbly in history. Noam Galai/Getty Images Remembering the man who saw — and preserved — a fashion show on every street NPR’s Karen Grigsby Bates looks at the life and legacy of Bill Cunningham, the late New York Times’ fashion photographer whose posthumous memoir, Fashion Climbing, was recently published during New York Fashion Week. Before his death in 2016, Cunningham could be found on the streets outside the shows (where the people were often more interestingly dressed than the people on the runways), darting, quick as a sparrow, to photograph the best looks. "It didn't matter where you were coming from, or who you were going to be, or were supposed to be — if you were wearing something that said something about that day or that time, he was interested," says Hilton Als, from The New Yorker.   Facebook Twitter This message was sent to macbud1972.draftpost@blogger.com based on your NPR email subscriptions. |  Unsubscribe  |  Privacy Policy | NPR 1111 N. CAPITOL ST. NE WASHINGTON DC 20002