Articles tagged with Aging Populations
A new study reveals the COVID-19 pandemic led to a sharp decline in hospital visits for acute coronary syndrome, particularly among older adults and women. The research emphasizes the need for targeted interventions to ensure access to critical care during future emergencies.
A new poll by Michigan Medicine found that most people over 50 have at least one close friend, but those with worse physical or mental health are more likely to feel isolated. Close friends can provide emotional support, encourage healthier choices, and help navigate health challenges.
Groundbreaking research from Rockefeller University reveals that certain cell populations change in every organ, both in the same way and at the same time, during specific stages of life. This suggests that aging is not a linear process but instead a developmental stage sparked by specific molecular cues.
A study by Politecnico di Milano reveals districts most at risk of cardiovascular emergencies during heat waves in Milan. The research found that 23% of the city's population in 18 vulnerable districts face a 22% increased risk, while 20 low-vulnerability districts show no significant increase.
A new study finds that California's wildfire response is biased towards wealthier communities, leaving marginalized populations without access to necessary resources. The analysis of over 500 wildfire incidents revealed a significant disparity in resource allocation based on socio-demographic factors such as race and economic status.
A study by SWPS University researchers challenges prevailing myths about older adults' decision-making abilities. Older adults demonstrate an inherent ability to resist manipulation effectively and make complex decisions as younger people, contrary to previous studies suggesting they are risk-averse.
Researchers at Wake Forest University School of Medicine found a strong association between living in disadvantaged neighborhoods and higher blood pressure and lower cognitive scores. The study analyzed data from over 500 adults aged 55+ and used the Area Deprivation Index to measure neighborhood disadvantage.
Raul Garcia has been elected as IADR Vice-president, aiming to enhance the role of IADR in mentoring a new generation of dental scientists globally. He brings extensive experience in clinical and translational sciences, oral health inequalities, and community-based interventions.
A recent study found that excessive sitting significantly harms young adults, increasing the risk of heart disease and obesity. Reducing sitting time improves health outcomes, while doubling recommended exercise hours is more effective at lowering health risks.
Research identified community-level factors that may increase individuals' risk of cognitive impairment. Higher neighborhood disadvantage, air pollution, homicide rates, and less greenspace were associated with elevated odds of mild cognitive impairment. Completing schooling in a Southern US state also linked to increased risk.
A new treatment combination of surgery and embolization for subdural hematomas has been shown to reduce the risk of follow-up surgeries. The procedure, which blocks specific blood vessels, resulted in a 4% recurrence rate compared to 11% without embolization.
Researchers developed an evaluation scale based on three physical performance tests: single-leg balance, timed up and go, and sit-to-stand. The scale predicts long-term care risk among older adults with high accuracy, particularly those with scores of 41 or more. It provides a comprehensive assessment method for Japanese older adults.
Residents of Senboku New Town in Japan transformed vacant buildings into supportive housing, community restaurants, and group homes to address aging population challenges. The Senboku Hottokenai Network Project showcases the importance of community-led co-creation in creating Healthy New Towns.
A recent study found that electronic letter reminders highlighting the cardiovascular benefits of influenza vaccines increased vaccination rates among over 2 million adults in Denmark. The strategy showed a greater impact on those who have had a heart attack, improving flu shot rates by potentially being cardioprotective. The research ...
Researchers have created a comprehensive database of protein changes in mice tissues due to aging, providing new insights into age-related diseases. The study reveals proteins that increase with age and improve understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying aging.
This study analyzed liver cancer epidemiological trends attributed to hepatitis B and alcohol use, revealing substantial increases globally and in China. The burden varies by gender and age, with males and those aged 40-75 years bearing a higher risk.
A University of Minnesota Medical School research team found that social stress causes DNA damage and senescence in preclinical models, accelerating aging. The study highlights a potential way to understand how life stress impacts the aging process.
A groundbreaking 25-year research program has unveiled key insights into how our brains age and what factors influence cognitive performance throughout life. Childhood cognitive ability is found to be a significant predictor of intelligence test scores in older age.
A new study found that gut bacteria may promote healthy aging by replacing declining gut bacteria species with alternative substrates. Researchers identified key microbial species associated with aging and their potential effects on health.
A Michigan Medicine study of over 18,500 adults found that obstructive sleep apnea was associated with a higher risk of dementia symptoms or diagnosis at every age level. Women were more likely to be diagnosed with dementia than men, especially as they aged.
A new study published in the journal Aging & Mental Health found that people with more positive expectations of aging tend to report less frequent cognitive problems and are less likely to perceive a decline in their cognitive performance over time. Researchers suggest that modifying older adults' aging expectations could support healt...
A study published in Nature Communications reveals that households with older heads produce nearly twice as much food waste, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions. Vegetables were found to be the most wasted food type, contributing significantly to greenhouse gas emissions.
Researchers found that ACLY activity activates the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP), a pro-inflammatory environment associated with chronic inflammation and aging. Blocking ACLY activity reduces inflammation-related genes in aged cells, suggesting a potential strategy for managing aging and age-related diseases.
The American College of Surgeons Geriatric Surgery Verification program reduces surgical death rates by nearly half and increases the percentage of patients with documented care preferences. Implementing the program also enables hospitals to improve patient-centered care and reduce costs.
A new study found that fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) is an independent predictor of all-cause mortality in older adults. The Polsenior2 study revealed that middle and high FGF21 levels were associated with increased mortality risk, particularly when adjusted for age, co-morbidities, and blood parameters.
A cross-sectional study found that as hospital COVID-19 burdens increased, older racial and ethnic minority adults were more likely to die or experience major morbidity. The adverse outcomes were greater in magnitude among minority populations compared to white individuals.
A new clinical model developed by researchers at Uppsala University accurately predicts the risk of hip fractures in the elderly. The model identifies patients at high risk without requiring bone density measurements, allowing for earlier preventive treatment.
A new study found that brain endurance training (BET) improves attention and executive function, as well as physical endurance and resistance exercise performance in older adults. BET outperformed exercise-only training in terms of cognitive and physical performance improvements.
A recent study published in Nature Aging suggests that life expectancy gains are slowing down due to the detrimental effects of aging. The study found that life expectancy has increased only an average of six and a half years since 1990, contradicting some scientists' expectations.
Researchers investigate how racism affects development during childhood and adolescence, finding significant increases in epigenetic age acceleration. The study suggests that policies and social regularities may perpetuate discrimination against ethnically and racially minoritized adolescents.
An interdisciplinary study found associations between exposure to environmental phenols like BPA and triclocarban and altered cardiac electrical activity, particularly in women with higher body mass indexes. Researchers identified moderate changes to cardiac electrical activity that could exacerbate existing heart disease or arrhythmias.
Researchers at Wake Forest University School of Medicine will investigate factors that facilitate or hinder conversations between physicians and patients about medical misinformation. The study aims to develop a toolkit to increase health literacy and counter misinformation among older adults, who are disproportionately affected by hea...
A University of Sydney-led study found multiple surgeries contribute to memory and brain health issues in older adults, with physical differences observed in brain areas responsible for memory. Cognitive decline is noticeable with each additional surgery.
A review of studies found that voice assistants can make a direct contribution to reducing loneliness in older people, with 85% of studies concluding this. The use of devices provides a sense of social interaction and emotional support, mitigating feelings of isolation and improving mental health.
A new study finds that rural men can expect to live two years less than their urban counterparts by age 60, and spend fewer years in good health. The urban-rural gap in life expectancy and health quality has nearly tripled over two decades due to higher rates of smoking, obesity, and cardiovascular conditions.
The new center, funded by a $4.2 million NIH grant, will build research capacity and catalyze climate and health solutions. It aims to promote climate justice through community engagement and develop evidence-based policies to mitigate the impacts of climate change on human health.
A study highlights the importance of dedicated exits for vulnerable populations during building evacuations, with findings suggesting that centrally located dedicated exits can improve evacuation efficiency. Dedicated exits are most beneficial in low to moderate crowd densities and should be carefully considered in high-density scenarios.
The global stroke burden has increased significantly over the past three decades, driven by rising levels of air pollution, high temperatures, and metabolic risk factors. The study found that the number of people experiencing new strokes rose to 11.9 million in 2021, with an additional 93.8 million survivors and 7.3 million deaths.
Aging brains struggle to clear out outdated information, leading to slower processing and more frequent forgetfulness. Beta-band neural oscillations play a crucial role in regulating working memory, with older adults showing a stronger link between these oscillations and their ability to delete irrelevant information.
A new study estimates nearly 10.5 million U.S. adults have A-Fib, a three-fold increase from previous estimates. Early detection and treatment can reduce its adverse outcomes.
Research from Texas A&M University School of Public Health suggests that older adults with mild cognitive impairment who engage in high levels of activities such as word games and hobbies have better memory, working memory, attention and processing speed than those who do not. The study found that six million people in the US have deme...
A Singapore University of Technology and Design study identified key factors that influence a neighbourhood's walkability, including pedestrian safety, covered walkways, and opportunities for social interaction. The research aims to aid urban planners in creating people-centric built environments that promote healthier lifestyles.
A new study reveals a significant correlation between entorhinal cortex thickness and financial exploitation vulnerability, a potential early indicator of Alzheimer's disease. The research suggests that assessing financial awareness could help identify cognitive changes in older adults.
Researchers found that vision impairments contribute significantly to the development of dementia in older adults, with a population attributable fraction ranging from 4.9% to 19.0%. The study highlights the importance of incorporating multiple objective measures of vision impairment into assessments to capture its impact on dementia.
A new study published in JAMA Network Open found that Medicare Advantage (MA) enrollees experience similar declines in frailty over one year compared to Traditional Medicare (TM) enrollees. The researchers suggest that future work should examine the impact of specific services covered by health insurance on frailty and health trajector...
A study emulated a clinical trial using real-world UK healthcare data to explore treatment effects in patients with atrial fibrillation. The method found similar outcomes between apixaban and warfarin, but with differences linked to ethnicity and medication use.
Researchers found that informing people about future self-benefits from the healthcare system can increase health insurance contributions, but only among those unaware of fiscal risks. The study suggests that policymakers should implement fiscal consolidation policies to build trust in public finance.
A new study found that antibiotic use in aged care leads to antibiotic-resistant bacteria in the gut, posing a significant risk to vulnerable residents. Researchers analysed stool samples from 164 residents and discovered nearly all carried resistant genes without symptoms.
A new study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that pesco-vegetarian diets are associated with a lower risk of mortality and certain neurological conditions in elderly individuals. The study analyzed data from over 88,000 subjects and found that pesco-vegetarians had an 18% lower risk of death compared to non...
Researchers found that people with sensory disabilities tend to have worse mental health, with vision impairment most strongly associated with loneliness and poor self-rated mental health. Strategies like patient communication, public policies, and technology interventions can help mitigate the negative effects of sensory decline.
A new study suggests that climate change and ageing populations will widen regional disparities in death risk from hot and cold temperatures in Europe. By 2100, heat-related deaths are projected to increase significantly, mostly in southern regions, while cold-related deaths are expected to decline slightly.
Researchers found associations between cardiorespiratory fitness and DNA methylation-based aging clocks in older men, suggesting that active lifestyles may delay biological aging. The study aims to establish fitness reference values to help prevent the onset of diseases associated with aging.
A study at the University of Helsinki discovered a new type of degenerative brain disease, limbic-predominant age-related TDP-43 encephalopathy (LATE), prevalent among the oldest old. LATE is associated with similar symptoms to early Alzheimer's but progresses more slowly and is milder.
Researchers developed a formula and assessment tool to calculate fall risks for older adults, considering factors like poor oral and cognitive function. The tool is simple to use and may assist in prevention and follow-up care.
Viji Santhakumar, a UCR professor, has been awarded a $3.5 million NIH grant to study brain circuit function and its impact on memory formation and cognitive deficits in diseases like epilepsy and Alzheimer's disease.
A new study by New York University researchers found that Medicare Advantage plans with high star ratings are less available in counties with higher poverty and unemployment rates. This limited access may further exacerbate existing health disparities and limit federal funds from reaching regions most in need.
A new study suggests that lowering systolic blood pressure below 120 mmHg over time may produce slight health-protective benefits against late-life dementia. The study found that middle-aged adults who lower their systolic blood pressure, particularly Black and Latino individuals, had a reduced risk of developing dementia.
A six-year longitudinal study found that loneliness has a significant impact on memory, even when social isolation is not present. The research suggests that community programs are needed for older adults who are both socially isolated and lonely, as they face the highest risk of memory impairment.
Researchers discuss the critical role of the retinal pigmented epithelium in human vision and its susceptibility to aging. The study highlights the importance of understanding molecular and cellular mechanisms driving age-related pathological changes in vision decline.
A large study found that older adults consuming higher amounts of ultra-processed foods were about 10% more likely to die over a median follow-up of 23 years. Higher intake was associated with modest increases in death from any cause and heart disease, but not cancer-related deaths.