Articles tagged with Gerontology
A new report suggests that AI-powered robot companions could alleviate the loneliness epidemic and its associated health risks. Companion robots have already shown promise in reducing stress and promoting physical and mental well-being in socially isolated older adults.
Research highlights energy insecurity as a determinant of poor health, with disproportionately affected groups including low-income households and mobile home occupants. Energy insecurity encompasses physical, economic, and coping dimensions, reflecting financial hardship, housing quality issues, and adaptive strategies.
Researchers present new function-promoting therapies to prevent and treat functional limitations associated with aging and chronic diseases. The National Institute on Aging's workshop has accelerated the development of these therapies, which can enhance healthspan and quality of life for older adults.
Researchers at North Carolina State University discovered that slower gait speeds in older dogs are linked to increased cognitive decline and dementia. The study measured gait speed on and off leash in senior dogs and found a significant correlation between walking speed and cognitive performance.
A recent study found that elderly patients treated in local intermediate care units have lower mortality rates and fewer hospital readmissions. The research suggests that Norway's healthcare system has improved with the introduction of these units, providing better integrated services adapted to individual users.
Researchers developed Precious1GPT, a multimodal transformer-based approach for aging clock development and feature importance analysis. The model utilizes methylation and transcriptomic data to predict biological age and identify disease-related genes, providing a pathway for therapeutic drug discovery.
Researchers developed a new biological age indicator, DNAmFitAge, that incorporates physical fitness parameters, showing a correlation with lower mortality risk, coronary heart disease risk reduction, and improved disease-free status in physically fit individuals.
The Gerontological Society of America's Journalists in Aging Fellows Program provides journalists with expert insight and support to cover aging issues. The fellowship has been instrumental in producing over 800 news stories, aiming to educate journalists about aging topics and disseminate information to diverse audiences.
A recent study published in GeroScience found that a moderate-protein diet (25% and 35%) improved metabolic health in both young and middle-aged mice. The researchers also observed reduced blood glucose concentrations and lipid levels in liver and plasma. A balanced diet with moderate protein intake may promote metabolic health in huma...
The Endocrine Society will discuss emerging technology and diabetes research, including a scientific statement on hormones and aging. Researchers will share studies on various aspects of endocrinology, such as PCOS, obesity, and endocrine-disrupting chemicals.
A nationwide VR research project is working to create diverse groups of participants to reflect real-world social dynamics. The Virtual Experience Research Accelerator (VERA) aims to provide researchers with access to large, reliable, and diverse groups for various VR research projects.
A recent study published in Calcified Tissue International found that heavy drinkers are at risk of muscle loss and frailty. The research, which analyzed data from the UK Biobank, suggests that consuming 10 units or more of alcohol per day can lead to lower muscle mass, even when adjusted for body size and other factors.
Researchers found that genetic predisposition to lipids, Alzheimer's, and heart disease in the MLXIPL gene locus is shaped by exogenous exposures. Minor alleles of certain variants associated with high triglyceride levels and lower HDL-C levels, which may provide protective effects against Alzheimer's risk.
Researchers tracked immune cell clusters in the aging mouse prostate using highly multiplexed immune profiling. Early adulthood sees myeloid cells, while between 6-12 months old, there's a profound shift to T and B lymphocyte-dominance. The study reveals new insight into prostatic inflammaging and the window for interventions.
Rodlescia Sneed aims to scale up the Chronic Disease Self-Management Program for older adults in state prisons, analyzing factors that influence effectiveness. She seeks to maximize program use in prisons and determine maximum effectiveness through user manual creation and future R01 grant testing.
Researchers tested zoledronic acid's effects on cellular senescence using multiple approaches. The study found that zoledronic acid killed senescent cells with minimal effects on non-senescent cells and reduced circulating SASP factors, including CCL7, IL-1β, TNFRSF1A, and TGFβ1.
The IOF-ESCEO World Congress on Osteoporosis, Osteoarthritis, and Musculoskeletal Diseases is the largest international scientific event devoted to musculoskeletal disorders. The congress presents new clinical advances and research on osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, sarcopenia, frailty, and rare skeletal disorders.
Donna M. Fick, PhD, will improve health, independence, and quality of life for older adults as AGS President. She brings expertise on delirium superimposed on dementia and inappropriate medication use to her role.
The study found that current 75- and 80-year-olds experience fewer depressive symptoms than those who lived in the 1990s, attributed to improved health and education. However, satisfaction with life was not significantly different between cohorts.
A new study presents a chronic wound murine model that characterizes the role of persistent senescent cell accumulation in delayed wound closure. The molecular profiles of senescent cells demonstrate the adverse influence of SASP factors, highlighting a potential root-cause-driven therapeutic strategy.
Researchers from Saarland University and Stanford University have gained new insights into the manifestations of aging at the molecular level. They found that the process of reading genetic information does not run as smoothly in older individuals, leading to physiological alterations in metabolism.
This study examined the effects of deferoxamine and ferrostatin-1 on salivary gland dysfunction in ovariectomized rats. The researchers found that these compounds reduced inflammation, fibrosis, and improved salivary gland function, suggesting potential treatments for postmenopausal xerostomia.
Researcher Brian Clark presents findings on the role of the nervous system in age-related muscle weakness, exploring potential therapeutic targets such as exercise and physical therapy. His work identifies neural mechanisms linked to low nerve cell excitability, impaired signal transmission, and reduced motor network integrity.
A recent study found that learning multiple new tasks improves cognition in older adults, with scores increasing by two to three times. The study, which had six and 27 participants aged 66 and 69, showed that cognitive abilities continued to grow over time, reaching levels similar to those of undergraduates.
Researchers found that enhancing NMDAR function via increased serine racemase expression improved attention and cognitive flexibility in middle-aged rats. Upregulating serine racemase in the medial prefrontal cortex also increased glutamatergic synaptic transmission, including NMDAR activity.
Researchers discuss rapamycin's potential to delay cancer onset by slowing cell proliferation and tumor progression. The mTOR pathway is involved in both cancer and aging, making rapamycin a promising chemopreventive agent.
Researchers found that higher selenium levels were associated with lower blood pressure and HDL concentration in middle-aged women. The study suggests that selenium may moderate the effect of genetic variants on MetS components, such as waist circumference.
Impact Journals will participate as an exhibitor at the AACR Annual Meeting 2023, showcasing Aging's growth in impact factor to 5.955. The meeting theme focuses on Advancing the Frontiers of Cancer Science and Medicine.
Researchers found that metformin + leucine (MET+LEU) treatment prevents myotube atrophy by reversing cellular senescence and improving proteostasis. The study used C2C12 myoblasts, aged mouse single myofibers, and human primary myotubes to demonstrate MET+LEU's skeletal muscle cell-autonomous properties.
Overdose mortality among people aged 65 and older has quadrupled, driven by illicit drugs like fentanyl, heroin, and synthetic opioids. Researchers call for updated Medicare coverage and harm reduction supplies to curb the trend.
A new journal issue explores ADRD care among diverse groups, revealing greater prevalence and incidence among minoritized populations. The study also highlights the importance of cultural complexity in ADRD care, emphasizing the need for precise indicators and culturally relevant research models.
Researchers found that Tsimané and Mosetén adults experienced less brain atrophy and improved cardiovascular health compared to industrialized populations. These findings suggest an optimal lifestyle balance between daily exertion and food abundance may be key to healthy brain aging.
Researchers found that senescence-associated exosomes (SA-EXOs) from MSCs induce fibrosis and activate invasive characteristics in neighboring cells via the TGF-β pathway. SA-EXOs play a large role in cancer-related fibrosis, and their unique miRNA content influences myofibroblast phenotypes.
Recent studies have identified key psychological processes, such as repetitive negative thinking and self-reflection, that may impact cognitive aging and dementia prevention. Researchers propose incorporating psychological elements to reduce dementia risk through cognitive-behavioral interventions.
A Cochrane review found that eliminating hazards around the home, such as clutter and poor lighting, can reduce the risk of falls for older people by around a quarter. Decluttering and reducing hazards had the most benefit for those at high risk of falls.
A recent study published in the American Journal of Emergency Medicine found that men over 65 are at a higher risk of developing skull fractures due to head trauma from falls. The research compared geriatric males and females, with surprising results indicating males had a significantly increased incidence of skull fracture.
Researchers found that suppressing AMPKα1 but not AMPKα2 isoforms improved aging-related impairments in mice. The study revealed novel insights into the roles of AMPK signaling pathway in cognitive aging.
A recent study found that resistance training significantly improved muscle strength and reduced inflammation in older adults with sarcopenia. The research, conducted by Brazilian researchers, also showed that physical exercise can improve sleep quality and reduce chronic inflammation.
Researchers explore cellular senescence's complex relationship with growth stimulation and cell cycle arrest, revealing potential anti-aging drug targets. Understanding these mechanisms is crucial for developing new treatments for age-related diseases.
Researchers discovered that telomere shortening is associated with early subjective depressive symptoms and cognitive complaints among healthy elderly individuals. The study also found a link between telomere shortening and increased interleukin-6 levels.
The National Center to Reframe Aging has established a new advisory board with 16 diverse professional backgrounds to advance the initiative. The board will support activities aligning with project goals and identify key organizations and decision-makers.
A recent study found that metformin users had distinct DNA methylation profiles compared to non-users, potentially revealing its role in longevity. The research identified several pathways related to delirium and aging, highlighting the need for further investigation into metformin's mechanism of action.
A Chinese Medical Journal study analyzed the temporal and spatial distribution of epilepsy across China, finding significant increases in incidence and prevalence rates between 1990 and 2019. The study also showed a general decrease in age-standardized DALY rates with increasing socio-demographic index.
The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine report outlines bold and actionable recommendations to transform nursing home care delivery and environment. The Moving Forward Nursing Home Quality Coalition has been established to take action on these issues and improve nursing home quality nationwide.
A new study found that long-term voluntary wheel running improved skeletal muscle and bone parameters in female mice, but the effects varied depending on body weight. High body weight was more beneficial for muscle and bone health with aging, especially when combined with exercise.
A recent study found that nearly half of older adults receive no dental care and half lack dental insurance. After becoming eligible for Medicare, the percentage of people receiving restorative dental care decreased by 8.7%, while complete edentulism increased by almost 5 percentage points among those aged 65 and above.
The prevalence of disabilities among American adults aged 65 and older declined substantially between 2008 and 2017. In 2008, 12.1% reported limitations in daily living, while in 2017, this percentage dropped to 9.6%, saving an additional 1.27 million Americans from ADL limitations. Furthermore, the percentage of functional limitations...
According to hyperfunction theory, menopause is also a disease. Aging is a quasi-programmed disease that can be partially treatable by rapamycin. The author suggests that slowing aging may delay the onset of diseases like prostate cancer, obesity, and hypertension.
A study of over 1,000 women found that regular high-intensity physical activity in early adulthood was associated with an increased risk of symptoms like urge urinary incontinence and fecal incontinence. Women who engaged in competitive sports as young adults were more likely to experience these issues.
Researchers found that clearance of p16Ink4a-positive cells did not impact β-cell mass, but improved β-cell function and proliferative capacity in a subset of HFD mice. The targeted subpopulation of β-cells is non-proliferative and non-SASP producing.
A new study found that online forums provide a sense of community and hope for people with dementia, filling an important gap in their support after diagnosis. The forums allow users to share experiences and receive emotional support from others going through similar experiences, helping to alleviate feelings of isolation.
Researchers found that the F-box gene FBXC-58 is a novel mediator of dietary restriction effects on extending the health span of Caenorhabditis elegans. FBXC-58 prevents muscle aging and extends longevity through an S6 kinase-dependent pathway.
A Japanese study found that mandatory cognitive screening tests for older drivers led to a significant decrease in motor vehicle collisions. However, the policy also resulted in an increase in road injuries for pedestrians and cyclists, particularly among younger age subgroups.
The pandemic exacerbated workforce shortages, low wages, and increased consumer responsibility in self-directed care. Policies like the Appendix K guidelines showed potential to alleviate unmet care needs, but further flexibility is needed to support consumers and workers.
A recent study published in Research in Social and Administrative Pharmacy found that about one-third of caregivers self-medicate. Carriers who reported unfavorable healthcare experiences were more likely to take personal care into their own hands. The research team recommends that healthcare professionals should interact with caregive...
The Collaborative for Telehealth and Aging has published the first-ever guidelines for offering telehealth services to older patients. The principles provide general rules for behavior, while the guidelines offer specificity for each principle, aiming to achieve individual goals for programs and providers.
A position paper highlights the intersection of structural racism and ageism in healthcare, highlighting delayed care, exclusion from medical research, and adverse health outcomes. The authors advocate for increasing representation of diverse voices in healthcare policy discussions to promote solutions to these barriers to quality care.
A study published in Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics found that exercising alone twice or more weekly decreased the risk of developing cognitive impairment by 15.1%, while those who exercised with others showed a 29.2% decrease. Regular social exercise may be beneficial for preventing age-related cognitive disorders.
In a mouse model of laser-induced CNV, RORα expression was highly increased in the choroidal/RPE complex post-laser, while loss or inhibition of RORα worsened CNV with increased lesion size and vascular leakage. RORα negatively regulates pathological CNV development by modulating angiogenic response and inflammatory environment.
Researchers identified 17 clusters of single cells in peripheral blood, showing upregulation of antigen processing and presentation pathways and downregulation of genes involved in ribosome pathways with age. The study also found senescent T cells resistant to apoptosis, potentially targeted for treatment.