Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Researchers learn to measure aging process in young adults

A team from Duke University has developed a new method to measure the aging process in young adults, finding that signs of aging can appear as early as age 26. The study used 18 biological measures to determine an individual's pace of aging, with some participants aging at rates of three years per year.

SourceDuke University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 6, 2015

Anyone who is good at German learns English better

Research by University of Zurich linguist Simone Pfenninger found that students with strong German language skills tend to excel in English, even if they start learning the latter at a later age. In contrast, early foreign language learning can sometimes hinder L1 development in the short term.

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalInternational Journal of Bilingual Education and Bilingualism·DateDec 10, 2014

Racism may accelerate aging in African-American men

A study found that racism-related factors, including high levels of racial discrimination and anti-Black bias, are associated with accelerated aging in African American men. This is measured by shorter leukocyte telomere length, a biomarker linked to increased risk of premature death and chronic disease.

SourceUniversity of Maryland·JournalAmerican Journal of Preventive Medicine·DateJan 7, 2014

Aging cells unravel their DNA

Senescent cells, a key mechanism of aging, have been identified by researchers. They found that satellite DNA unravels as cells enter senescence, leading to cell division inhibition. This discovery could lead to new treatments for cancer and age-related diseases like Progeria.

SourceRockefeller University Press·JournalJournal of Cell Biology·DateDec 16, 2013

Sedentary lifestyles associated with accelerated aging process

A recent study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine found that individuals with sedentary lifestyles exhibit shorter telomeres, indicating an accelerated aging process. Regular exercise, however, has been shown to reduce oxidative stress and inflammation, which may help mitigate this effect.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalArchives of Internal Medicine·DateJan 28, 2008

The 'bear' necessities of aging

A new study published in PLOS ONE found that bears' selective feeding habits on salmon with less signs of senescence accelerates the aging process in these fish. The research suggests that predation pressure is a primary driver of senescence, rather than the physical characteristics of the prey.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateDec 11, 2007

Flip of genetic switch causes cancers in mice to self-destruct, Stanford researchers find

A study in mice shows that switching off a single malfunctioning gene can halt the growth of tumor cells and turn them back to their normal life cycle. The researchers found that cancer cells retained the ability to undergo senescence, a natural mechanism that causes cells to die when they become old or dysfunctional.

SourceStanford Medicine·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 30, 2007

Sexual reproduction delays aging in a mammalian species

A new study found that breeding Zambian mole-rats lived up to 20 years and twice as long as non-breeding individuals. The researchers suggest this could be due to the species' eusocial lifestyle and pair-bonding habits, making it a valuable model organism for studying aging mechanisms.

SourceCell Press·JournalCurrent Biology·DateFeb 21, 2006

Getting an evolutionary handle on life after reproduction

A new study confirms that evolution selectively influences life history traits affecting fitness, such as age at reproduction and senescence. Guppy populations show no postreproductive lifespan variation, contrary to expectations, suggesting this aspect of life history may be randomly determined.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·DateDec 26, 2005

How aging cells retire

Aging cells retire when their telomeres become too short to function, according to a new Rockefeller University study. The researchers found that protein TRF2 helps critically short telomeres function better, allowing old cells to live longer.

SourceRockefeller University·JournalScience·DateMar 28, 2002