Articles tagged with Gerontology
Insilico Medicine introduces the Virtual Aging Cell (VAC) platform, which leverages multi-agent AI to simulate cellular processes, including differentiation, reprogramming, and aging. The VAC platform aims to support target identification, cellular fate intervention, novel drug discovery, and geroscience research.
A meta-analysis of nearly 1,900 studies found that climbing stairs significantly reduces the risk of dying from cardiovascular disease. Regular stair climbing was associated with lower risks of heart-related problems and major cardiovascular conditions such as heart attack, stroke, and heart failure.
A study found 161 differentially expressed genes in individuals with opioid dependence, including genes involved in immune and inflammatory processes. The researchers also developed a transcriptomic aging clock that predicts chronological age from gene expression patterns.
A new study published in Diabetes Care found that older adults with type 2 diabetes are at a higher fracture risk, but bone loss alone does not explain this increased risk. Researchers used a novel bone imaging device to analyze cortical and trabecular bone density, microarchitecture, and strength, and found that changes in these areas...
After 18 years of leadership, GSA CEO James C. Appleby is stepping down, leaving behind a strong foundation for the organization's continued growth and impact. The Board of Directors will begin a national search for a new CEO to build upon this foundation and guide the organization towards emerging opportunities.
A new ACC Scientific Statement highlights the importance of considering cognitive impairment and frailty in cardiovascular care for older adults. The statement outlines practical strategies for prevention, screening, assessment, and management, aiming to improve outcomes such as independence, mobility, and caregiver burden.
Misha Blagosklonny's work challenged traditional paradigms in aging biology, proposing that persistent growth-promoting signals drive age-related pathology. His hyperfunction theory integrates evolutionary concepts with molecular pathways, offering a comprehensive framework for understanding aging.
An international study of 974 participants aged 50-94 found a strong correlation between ageist attitudes and self-reported memory failures. The results indicate that individuals with more restrictive views on older adult behavior experienced greater memory problems, regardless of their country of origin.
The USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology has received a $7.5 million grant to establish GeroSCORE, a national hub for discovery and collaboration on sex differences in aging. The center will conduct innovative research, develop new tools and analytical methods, and serve as a resource for early-career investigators.
A new research perspective proposes that developmental and growth programs continue operating beyond their beneficial period, driving aging. Programmatic mechanisms of aging are supported by evidence from animal models and experimental observations.
A new study reveals that patients with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) have elevated lipocalin-2 levels and exhibit early signs of cardiovascular and cognitive impairment. The findings highlight the importance of considering MASLD as a systemic condition affecting multiple organ systems.
ISM9077 boasts potent inhibition across species, excellent exposure and permeability traits, and a favorable safety profile in preclinical studies. It modulates pathological inflammation, supporting broad indication expansion into therapeutic areas like aging and neurodegenerative diseases.
The Gerontological Society of America has announced its newest elected officers, consisting of Vice President Edward Alan Miller and Secretary Sherry A. Greenberg. The organization, founded in 1945, aims to foster excellence, innovation, and collaboration in aging research, education, practice, and policy.
A new report finds that delayed discharges and poor hospital environments keep people with dementia in hospitals unnecessarily, costing £328 million annually. The study suggests community-centric approaches can reduce hospitalisations and improve care.
A $3.2 million NIH grant will support a five-year study investigating the role of thymulin, a hormone produced by the thymus, in age-related inflammation and cancer. The research aims to explore whether thymulin can improve cancer immunotherapy outcomes, particularly in older individuals.
The LifeAfter90 study found that women 90 and older are at two-fold greater risk for dementia, while Black participants have a 75% greater risk than Asian participants. APOE2's protective effects continue past age 90, reducing risk by 60%, but APOE4 increases the risk among men and Black participants.
A study of 5,500 individuals aged 50+ found that both conditions alone increase the risk of death, but together it more than doubles. Abdominal obesity and vitamin D deficiency create a vicious cycle, exacerbating chronic inflammation and impairing bodily functions.
A new combination therapy selectively targets cancer cells and senescent cells by exploiting metabolic vulnerabilities, improving physical performance and extending lifespan. The treatment eliminates senescent cells, reduces cancer cell viability and improves metabolic profiles in aged mice.
A UC Irvine psychologist is using a massive longitudinal dataset to investigate how daily social connections shape our bodies and minds over time. The researcher aims to understand the 'ripple effect' of small, everyday moments on long-term health outcomes.
The Gerontological Society of America appreciates Senate appropriators' efforts to ensure federal grant funding is administered consistently with congressional intent. This decision delays implementation of a proposed rule that would place political appointees in charge of approving federal grants, affecting 42 federal agencies.
A new study by researchers at Johns Hopkins University highlights a significant disconnect between those who use AI health tools and those who create and fund them. The study reveals that key stakeholders have fundamentally different definitions of value, usability, and cost, creating systemic barriers to technology adoption.
The article proposes a healthspan-focused framework for Italy's National Health Service to promote healthy aging, prevent chronic diseases, and improve functional independence. The framework emphasizes prevention-oriented approaches, personalized healthcare, and multidisciplinary research.
Researchers found that long-term systemic treatment with senolytic PROTAC 753b slowed several features of age-related intervertebral disc degeneration in male mice, preserving extracellular matrix protein aggrecan and reducing inflammatory markers. However, female mice showed little improvement, suggesting a sex-specific response.
Researchers at Kyushu University identified a molecule that strengthens hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), a key muscle-repair signal. The compound, lipoic acid trisulfide (LASSS), enhances HGF's binding affinity for satellite cells, restoring its ability to repair muscle fibers and counteracting age-related muscle loss.
Biochar's performance in soil depends on its feedstock, production conditions, interactions with microorganisms, and aging processes. Practical measurements are needed to assess its functionality.
Researchers have identified transmembrane 4 L six family member 1 (TM4SF1) as a highly selective surface marker of senescent β-cells in both mice and humans. This discovery provides an important step toward developing targeted senotherapies that could preserve insulin secretion and slow the progression of type 2 diabetes.
Researchers found that females with live offspring had lower late-life frailty, contradicting previous theories on a potential reproductive cost. The study used companion dogs to investigate the relationship between reproduction and aging, revealing a unique link between parity and robustness.
Researchers from the Keck School of Medicine of USC identified a hormone produced by the thymus that keeps inflammation under control. As we age, levels of this hormone decrease, allowing diseases like cancer to progress. Increasing this hormone improved cancer survival and made immunotherapy more effective in older mice.
Researchers found that preserving peroxisomes preserves mitochondrial health during aging by maintaining long, interconnected mitochondrial networks and reducing oxidative stress. The study identifies peroxisome homeostasis as a promising area for future aging research.
Researchers discovered that senescent cells accumulate high levels of triacylglycerols and increase glycolytic activity, leading to increased lipid droplet accumulation. This finding suggests that lipid droplets may contribute to the harmful effects of senescent microglia in Alzheimer’s disease.
Researchers found that tissue-resident macrophages, responsible for clearing senescent cells, become dysfunctional with age, leading to chronic inflammation and organ damage. Blocking a specific receptor on these cells preserved youthfulness of multiple organs in mice.
A new GSA report emphasizes the critical role of primary care providers in detecting and managing cognitive decline, with a focus on actionable insights for clinicians. The report highlights advances in diagnostic technology and modifiable lifestyle factors linked to brain health outcomes.
A new study reveals that macrophages, a key immune cell type, age differently across tissues and between sexes. The researchers found that aging macrophages become more focused on responding to stress and cellular damage, but lose some molecular programs involved in maintaining healthy tissue structure.
A recent study published in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons found that older adults who undergo high-risk emergency general surgery spend significantly fewer days living independently at home after surgery. The researchers analyzed outcomes for nearly 30,000 individuals aged 66 and older using a patient-centered measure...
Sarcopenia affects over 60% of individuals above age 80 and is influenced by distinct biological mechanisms in women and men. Hormones like apelin, insulin, and oxytocin play a crucial role in maintaining healthy skeletal muscle, with sex-specific differences affecting muscle aging and disease progression.
A new study found that simple weekly electronic symptom check-ins with care teams significantly improves the quality of life for individuals undergoing treatment for advanced cancer. The benefits were notable among patient groups that historically faced barriers to care, including Black patients and those with less formal education.
The Gerontological Society of America honors researchers, leaders, and mentors who have made significant contributions to the field of aging. This year's awardees include Heather M. Young, Jeffrey M. Hausdorff, and Briana Mezuk, among others. Their work has been recognized for its excellence in teaching, research, and service.
Cellular senescence is a stable form of cell-cycle arrest induced by intrinsic and extrinsic stimuli. The review highlights the importance of understanding how different initiating events shape distinct senescent cell phenotypes, contributing to chronic inflammation, tissue dysfunction, cancer, and age-related diseases.
Researchers found that ZIP9 deletion in mice led to premature death, spatial memory deficits, and reduced cognitive flexibility, with significant changes in PSD95, TNF-α, and IL-1β levels. The study suggests a brain–gut–key molecule network connecting cognitive function, gut microbiota, and lipid metabolism.
The Gerontological Society of America has named 50 new fellows for their outstanding contributions to the field of gerontology. The fellows, chosen from across GSA's membership groups, represent diverse activities including research, teaching, and public service.
A comprehensive systematic review clarifies life expectancy across rare progeria disorders, revealing striking differences among subtypes. The analysis demonstrates that patients with Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome have a median survival of 16 years, while those with mandibuloacral dysplasia type B have a median survival of 37 ye...
A new review investigates the impact of aging, stress, and behavior on endocrine dysfunctions in nonhuman primates. The study finds that older monkeys with depression-like behavior exhibit impaired regulation of stress responses and thyroid function, leading to increased disease risk.
Recent research suggests that senescence often limits stem cell activity in normal tissues but can also promote tumor progression in cancer. Understanding the dynamic interplay between these two biological processes is crucial for developing safer regenerative therapies and more effective cancer treatments.
Researchers found that a 12-week lifestyle program combining exercise guidance, dietary counseling, and daily yogurt consumption significantly slowed DunedinPACE, an epigenetic measure of biological aging. The intervention resulted in a modest but statistically significant slowing of the pace of aging, corresponding to a 2.2% reduction.
A study by Osaka Metropolitan University found that Japan's Location Optimization Plan can lead to higher care burdens in small municipalities. Small cities with populations under 50,000 saw increased Long-Term Care Insurance certification counts after adopting the policy, indicating rising service demands.
The GSA has released a new online version of the KAER Toolkit, providing practical tools to integrate evidence-based obesity care into routine practice. The toolkit emphasizes treating obesity as a chronic disease and includes strategies for managing older adults using medications.
A new study published in Cell Metabolism found that a low-protein, amino acid-supplemented 'longevity diet' improved cardiometabolic markers and reduced frailty and fat mass in mice. The diet was associated with longer healthy lifespan and better metabolic health in both mice and humans.
A new study reveals that p38MAP kinase plays a central role in regulating senescence-related changes in human muscle cells. The researchers developed a human cell-based model to investigate how senescence develops in skeletal muscle cells and identified a signaling pathway that appears to drive aging in mature muscle fibers.
A Hiroshima University study finds that practical digital skills, positive financial attitudes, and self-protection are more consistently associated with lower old-age anxiety than traditional financial knowledge alone. The study suggests that financial education may need to move beyond knowledge alone in the digital age.
A new study found that childhood adversity, especially forced childhood migration, is associated with higher cardiometabolic risk and accelerated biological aging in later life. Forced migration was linked to elevated diabetes risk, cardiovascular disease, and hypertension, as well as signs of accelerated biological aging.
A new poll shows nearly all Michiganders age 50 and over value keeping their brains healthy, but less than half know daily habits can reduce dementia risk. Only half practice key brain-protecting habits.
A new review suggests that ageing results from overlapping changes occurring simultaneously at many levels of biological organization. This approach is reflected in the concept of the 'hallmarks of ageing', which are interconnected biological characteristics and processes consistently associated with aging.
A partnership between the National Center and the Pennsylvania Department of Aging is bridging the gap for senior community centers by creating evidence-based communication strategies. The research was informed by input from a representative sample of Pennsylvania residents, highlighting the importance of senior community centers as vi...
A nationwide population-based study found that individuals with neovascular age-related macular degeneration had a modest but statistically significant increase in overall cancer risk. However, the increased risk was only observed for specific malignancies, including thyroid, kidney, and prostate cancers.
A new study by Stanford Medicine investigators found that biological age of organs can predict disease risk and longevity. The researchers used a blood-based indicator to assess the age of 11 organ systems, including brain, heart, and lungs, and found strong associations between these ages and various diseases.
The report highlights the clinical, emotional, and societal impact of psychosis in individuals living with Alzheimer's disease. Nonpharmacologic strategies are recommended to identify triggers and tailor interventions, with pharmacologic options considered when behavioral strategies are insufficient.
The Gerontological Society of America has renewed funding for the Journalists in Aging Fellows Program, which has produced over 900 news stories since its inception in 2010. The program aims to educate journalists about aging issues and disseminate information on scientific findings, policy debates, and innovations.
The Global Conference on Gerophysics brought together researchers from various disciplines to develop predictive models of aging. Key findings include the application of physical principles, such as thermodynamics and network theory, to biological systems. The conference highlighted the importance of collaboration between theory and ex...
Delirium is a common and preventable complication in older surgical patients, with verified geriatric surgery programs screening nearly every patient. Non-accredited hospitals screen only half of their patients for delirium, leading to a stark gap in care.
A new study reveals substantial differences in gene expression patterns between aging mouse and human skeletal muscle. Fewer than 5% of biological pathways show shared changes, emphasizing the need for cross-species targets in aging research.