Articles tagged with Gerontology
A study by NTU Singapore and Duke-NUS found that volunteering among older adults in Singapore increases their quality of life through perceived social support. Regular volunteers reported having more control over their lives, leading to a better quality of life.
A recent study found that individuals with a rare condition known as growth hormone receptor deficiency (GHRD) have normal or improved levels of cardiovascular disease risk factors compared to their relatives. This suggests that GHRD may actually protect against cardiovascular disease, contrary to previous speculation.
Researchers analyzed language use around ageing to infer wellbeing, discovering 'language markers' that provide insight into healthy aging narratives. The study's findings suggest a new approach to understanding wellbeing in older adults.
A recent study published in JAMA Network Open found that understaffed nursing homes in disadvantaged neighborhoods are more likely to overmedicate residents with antipsychotics. The researchers suggest that increasing staffing levels could help reduce the use of these medications and address the root causes of behavioral issues.
Thought leaders, experts, and federal representatives converged at the National Center to Reframe Aging's Summit 2024 to discuss strategies for advancing an equitable story about aging in America. The event highlighted the importance of language in understanding ageism and its impact on individuals and society.
A study from Stockholm University found that the Swedish speed premium policy, introduced in 1980, led to a 26% increase in premature birth rates over six years. However, relaxation of the policy to a 30-month window resulted in an 11% decrease in premature birth rates in subsequent years.
A recent study at the University of Jyväskylä found that older adults' functional capacity domains are more closely linked, leading to a collapse in functioning. The researchers suggest that preserving people's functional capacity for as long as possible is crucial for maintaining a good quality of life.
A new GSA publication highlights the importance of nutrition in maintaining healthy brain function and reduces cognitive decline. The Mediterranean-DASH Diet Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay (MIND) diet is shown to improve cognition, with individuals consuming this pattern experiencing better cognitive abilities than those aged...
A new study reveals that home-based palliative care pharmacists can improve medication management and enhance communication between patients and their treating teams. This model of care has been proven successful in rural areas, providing relief and comfort to patients, carers, and family members.
Long-term treatment with methylene blue (MB) and mitoquinone (MitoQ) did not alter age-related bone loss in mice. Antioxidant interventions are insufficient to inhibit skeletal aging, suggesting alternative approaches may be needed.
A new Kaiser Permanente study found that a health coaching intervention successfully reduced sitting time for a group of older adults by just over 30 minutes a day. The study also showed meaningful improvements in blood pressure, comparable to the effect of other interventions focused on physical activity.
A new study published in Stroke found that exposure to artificial, bright outdoor nighttime light may increase the risk of cerebrovascular disease and stroke. The research, which analyzed data from over 28,000 adults living in China, suggests that higher levels of outdoor light pollution at night may be a risk factor for these conditions.
The International Osteoporosis Foundation and European Society for Clinical and Economic Aspects of Osteoporosis have issued new guidelines for managing osteoporosis in men. These recommendations cover disease burden, fracture risk assessment, treatment thresholds, and interventions to reduce the substantial morbidity and mortality ass...
A Photovoice project documented the lives of Seattle-area pet owners experiencing homelessness, revealing the benefits of human-animal bonds on mental and physical health. The study also identified barriers to services and recommendations for improved policies.
Researchers used single-cell RNA sequencing to analyze the effects of APC treatment on AD transgenic mice, revealing alterations in glial cells and upregulated genes associated with AD progression. APC treatment downregulates inflammatory processes and recovers nervous system functions.
A new study has revealed a molecular fingerprint of biological aging, shedding light on why people age differently. The researchers identified 25 metabolites that can reflect biological age, known as the Healthy Aging Metabolic (HAM) Index, which was found to be more accurate than other aging metrics.
West Virginia University researchers introduced a new database showing occupational licensing's impact on the workforce, highlighting how licenses increase cost and time to enter professions, affecting consumers. The database encompasses 50 jobs across all 50 states, providing insights into licensing standards, fees, and requirements.
A study by Texas A&M University found that only 9% of older Americans had been vaccinated against RSV prior to this fall and winter. The study also revealed that men were more likely to be vaccinated than women, and those who were vaccinated had higher levels of concern about the disease.
Researchers discovered that the vitamin D/vitamin D receptor pathway protects enterocytes during aging, reducing ISC proliferation and centrosome amplification. This study provides insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying healthy aging in Drosophila.
A fasting-mimicking diet has been shown to reduce signs of immune system aging, insulin resistance, and liver fat in humans, resulting in a lower biological age. The study found that patients who followed the diet had lower disease risk factors and improved immune function.
Researchers have defined what a premature aging disease is and developed tools to diagnose progeria patients, allowing them to identify new syndromes. The study also identified correlations between progeroid syndromes and other conditions, providing a significant step forward in understanding premature aging.
Researchers found that 86 patients experienced severe residual paresthesia after spinal surgery, leading to lower satisfaction rates. Patients with pre-surgical pain were more likely to have persistent paresthesia, highlighting the need for treatment strategies for this condition.
A new study by University of Eastern Finland identifies four main drivers for home care worker turnover: mismatch between client needs and available resources, digital systems taking up time, inflexible work demands, and ethical burden. Home care workers seek personal management and consideration of employee and client needs.
A study published in European Geriatric Medicine found that self-monitoring with an accelerometer and feedback significantly improved physical activity among elderly individuals requiring long-term care. The intervention group took more steps, spent less time sitting, and engaged in light physical activity compared to the control group.
The D-CARE Study successfully enrolled 2,176 racially/ethnically diverse persons with Alzheimer's disease or related dementias and their caregivers, highlighting the importance of adaptable recruitment strategies. The study provides valuable insights into how to better support patients with dementia and their caregivers.
The new publication aims to help health care providers detect and address changes in function and cognition that might indicate dementia in an adult with I/DD. It also highlights the need to establish baseline levels of function and cognition for this population to effectively identify changes.
A large-scale analysis of 21 million births in Japan from 1979-2018 found significantly fewer births on weekends and holidays compared to weekdays. High-risk births became more frequent over time, especially on Thursdays and Fridays, highlighting the need for hospitals to plan and minimize risks during these periods.
A new study proposes a framework for standardizing biomarkers of aging, which could help translate them into clinically actionable tools. The framework suggests using multi-omic approaches and considering associations with other health factors to improve predictive performance and reliability.
A new study found that nearly half of older adults who considered elective surgery were deterred by financial concerns and the need for paid time off. In contrast, those worried about post-operative pain were more likely to proceed with surgery.
A recent study of 35,000 adults aged 50+ found significant inequities in survival rates associated with wealth inequality in the US. Wealth redistribution policies have been proposed as a solution to reduce these disparities and increase population longevity.
A NTU Singapore study found that ageing alters brain cells' communication, leading to weakening connections and poorer memory in middle-aged mice. The research suggests strengthening these connections through memory training may delay age-related working memory decline.
A study by NTU Singapore researchers found that older adults who exercise with their spouse achieve lower physical activity levels. Personalised fitness feedback from trackers increased physical activity in these individuals, suggesting it may be more effective to encourage older adults to exercise individually.
A recent study found that high-intensity impacts during everyday physical activity can help preserve bone density and structural properties in older adults. Moderate and high-impact activities, such as brisk walking or stair climbing, were associated with better preservation of bone mineral density compared to lower-intensity activities.
Obesity recognized as chronic health condition with specific pathophysiologic causes, requiring safe and effective treatments. A multifaceted approach to care is essential for older adults, involving professionals from various fields to address social, environmental, and economic risk factors.
A recent study published in NeuroImage found that physically active individuals experienced less decline in entorhinal cortex thickness over a seven-year period. Cognitive reserve is also boosted through regular mental stimulation, suggesting that brains can be trained like muscles to counteract age-related decline.
Researchers discovered that Nectandrin B, a bioactive lignan compound from nutmeg, extends the lifespan of Drosophila melanogaster by as much as 42.6%. The study found that Nectandrin B reduces intracellular ROS levels and improves age-related symptoms such as locomotive deterioration and neurodegeneration.
Researchers found that switching fruit flies to a low-calorie diet extends their lifespan, even in old age. This study suggests that obese humans may benefit from reducing calorie intake in old age, as it can dramatically change their metabolisms and extend their lives.
The ILSI 2024 Annual Meeting will feature scientific presentations, professional development, and networking opportunities focused on innovations for safe, nutritious, and sustainable food manufacturing systems. Press registration is now available for media outlets covering the event.
A new study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association found that many couples around the world share high blood pressure. The research analyzed data from over 50,000 couples in four countries and found a strong association between partners' blood pressure status.
Researchers found a significant increase in extracellular vesicles released by aged keratinocytes, which were also enriched with specific microRNAs. These EVs impaired young keratinocyte proliferation and organogenesis, mimicking aged skin defects.
A study will examine the cognitive function of older adults who were exposed to measles during childhood, shedding light on potential long-term benefits of routine childhood vaccinations. The research aims to better understand how childhood experiences shape health and well-being across the life course.
A study published in Annals of Internal Medicine reveals a stagnation in cardiovascular health trends among middle-aged adults, with low-income individuals facing higher rates of hypertension and other risk factors. The research highlights the need to address social determinants of health contributing to these disparities.
The study found that median premiums decreased across the board, especially for rural communities. Rural counties gained an average of three plans overall after the switch, while urban counties lost almost nine plans.
Researchers linked hearing loss to microstructural differences in auditory areas of the temporal lobe and frontal cortex. The study suggests that compensatory brain changes may lead to increased dementia risk, and interventions like subtitles or speech-to-text apps could protect against this.
A study found that only 60% of ED patients with fall-related head injury followed up with their PCP, while 56% adopted a fall prevention strategy. Physical therapy was the most common intervention, used by 68% of patients.
A novel robotic system developed by USC researchers can help clinicians accurately assess a patient's rehabilitation progress. The method generates an 'arm nonuse' metric using machine learning and a socially assistive robot to track how much a patient is using their weaker arm spontaneously.
Researchers found that higher alcohol consumption is associated with biological age acceleration and hypertension in middle-aged and older adults, but not in young adults. The study suggests that alcohol consumption may mediate the association between alcohol intake and quantitative traits like hypertension.
A nationwide study found a higher rate of bleeding with standard versus reduced-dose direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) in older nursing home residents. Reduced-dose DOACs are recommended for many older adults with multiple chronic medical conditions.
The new issue of Advances in Dental Research analyzes the link between healthy aging and access to quality oral health services. Key research highlights include the potential role of periodontal microflora in Alzheimer's disease progression and the impact of loneliness on health.
A new study suggests that infection with the common cat-borne parasite Toxoplasma gondii may contribute to frailty in older adults. Among those infected, individuals with higher 'serointensity' or antibody levels to the parasite were more likely to be frail, highlighting a potential link between latent infection and inflammation.
Researchers created an immunodeficient mouse model of physiological ovarian aging, mirroring female fertility decline with age. The study found decreased oocyte quality, impaired follicle activation and growth, and increased mitochondrial dysfunctions in Old mice.
Regenstrief Institute researchers are sharing their work on aging research at the Gerontological Society of America's annual meeting. This platform enables them to disseminate high-level scholarship that will shape future research and policy. Regenstrief Institute, founded in 1969, is a leader in healthcare innovations and studies.
A new study finds that heat-related cardiovascular deaths may more than double in the US by the middle of the century, with elderly and Black adults being most at risk. The projections suggest that reducing greenhouse gas emissions can mitigate this impact, but infrastructure interventions such as increasing tree cover may also be effe...
Researchers developed the SOMMA Vigor to Frailty Score to rank older adults from 0 (vigorous) to 12 (frail), predicting their resilience to stress. Patients on the high end of the continuum are up to 31 times more likely to have functional limitations.
A large cohort study found a significant association between adult attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and the risk of dementia. The study followed 109,000 individuals born between 1933 and 1952 and found that ADHD was associated with an increased risk of dementia.
People with dementia experience a rapid rise in unpaid and paid home care, and major erosion of net worth. Family members face significant demands, providing an average of 45 hours of care per month.
Researchers found a quantitative difference in B cell response following vaccination between young and older adults, with younger adults mounting a stronger clonal response and older adults having more activated B cells. This study provides insights into the age-related differences in B cell vaccine response and may lead to the develop...
A new study examines cannabis use patterns, motivations, and risk factors among college students at a large public university in the southeastern US. The researchers found that top reasons for cannabis use were relaxation and social pressure, while daily users reported higher quantity of cannabis per day.
Researchers developed a novel approach to predict therapeutic targets for aging and age-related diseases. They trained a domain-specific BioGPT model on biomedical literature, which improved its performance in identifying prospective targets.
A Singapore study found that drinking coffee and tea at midlife is associated with reduced likelihood of physical frailty in late life. The study, led by Professor Koh Woon Puay, analyzed data from over 12,000 participants aged 45-74 years old.