[DON'T DRINK UP] Any level of alcohol consumption likely boosts dementia risk
"Any amount of alcohol consumption may increase the risk of dementia, according to a recent study. Our findings challenge the common belief that low levels of alcohol are beneficial for brain health, said lead author Anya Topiwala, PhD, of Oxford University. Genetic evidence offers no support for a protective effect - in fact, it suggests the opposite. Even light or moderate drinking may increase the risk of dementia, indicating that reducing alcohol consumption across the population could play a significant role in dementia prevention.” "
[LOOK OUT!] Pickleball eye injuries on the rise among older adults
"Pickleball-related eye injuries have increased at an “alarming rate” over the past 4 years as the sport continues to grow in popularity, new research revealed. Eye protection is not currently mandated for casual or professional play. Establishing standardized guidelines for eye protection is recommended to reduce the risk of ocular injuries among players, the authors say."
[GIMME MORE] Many older overweight women likely addicted to UPFs
"Adults ages 50 to 80 who met criteria for an addiction to ultra-processed foods (UPFs) were far more likely to report being overweight, or be in fair or poor mental or physical health, according to a new survey study. UPFs are industrially produced foods typically containing unnaturally high levels of refined carbohydrates and/or added fats. They became more widely introduced into the US food environment in the 1980s and have proliferated since."
[SOUR NEWS] Both sugary and artificially sweetened drinks tied to liver disease
"Both sugary and artificially sweetened drinks are associated with a higher risk of developing liver disease, according to a study presented at the United European Gastroenterology (UEG) Week 25 meeting (abstract OP161)."
[DELICIOUS!] Exercise snacks can boost cardio fitness
"Exercise snacks—intentional short bursts of physical activity—may be an effective way of boosting the cardiorespiratory fitness of physically inactive adults, according to a synthesis of the available research. The snacks were defined more specifically as bursts of moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity lasting 5 minutes or less, excluding warm-up, cool-down, and intermediate recovery periods, and done at least twice a day for between 3 and 7 days a week for 4 to 12 weeks. "
Not so sweet: Some sugar substitutes linked to faster cognitive decline
"Decline equal to 1.6 years of aging in highest consumers"
Traditional Japanese samurai daily behavior improves leg strength
"As we get older, our muscle strength slowly declines – increasing our risk of falls, injuries, and loss of independence. In particular, we rely on our lower body strength for many essential daily activities such as walking and climbing stairs. Strength training can help offset the weakening of muscles, but not everyone has the means (or even the desire) to hit the gym for weightlifting sessions."
Frailty fuels gut imbalance and post-surgery gastrointestinal risks
"Scientists found that residual intra-abdominal microbes, especially in frail patients, drive gastrointestinal complications after bladder cancer surgery"
New perspective outlines how food-derived signals can modulate biological aging
"Diet doesn’t just fuel the body, it sends molecular signals that can slow down or speed up biological ageing, according to a new perspective in npj Aging (Nature Portfolio). The authors explain that biological age, a measure of functional health, can diverge sharply from chronological age and that targeted nutritional and lifestyle choices can bend the trajectory toward healthier ageing."
Centenarian neuroscientist inspires blueprint for vibrant longevity through mentorship and connection
"Dr. Esther Sternberg honors Dr. Seymour Reichlin in special centennial Festschrift viewpoint"
New “metabolic clock” could help detect early signs of disease and accelerated aging
"The study, published in npj Metabolic Health and Disease (Nature Portfolio), introduces a powerful tool for predicting biological age, uncovering disease-specific metabolic signatures, and supporting early detection and risk stratification."
Covid infection ages blood vessels, especially in women
"A Covid infection, particularly in women, may lead to blood vessels aging around five years, according to research published in the European Heart Journal [1] today (Monday)."
An early sign of cognitive decline in aging populations
"As people age, they are more likely to label others’ emotions as positive. This tendency is associated with observable changes in the brain linked to cognitive decline and neurodegeneration."
Chronic benzodiazepine consumption impacts sleep quality in older adults, new research shows
"A common insomnia treatment makes sleep quality worse than no treatment at all"
American Geriatrics Society unveils updated alternatives to potentially harmful medications for older adults
"Regenstrief researcher serves on expert panel providing clinicians, patients and families with credible, actionable alternatives"
Education gap linked to differences in biological aging
"Americans with less education are aging faster than their peers with more schooling -- and the gap has grown over the last 30 years"
Extreme heat poses growing threat to our aging population
"Study suggests many don’t understand the risk as temps rise"
Epigenetic aging markers predict colorectal cancer risk in postmenopausal women
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Faster biological aging linked to cognitive decline in older adults
"“These findings highlight the potential role of DNAm in cognitive function”"
New Hebrew SeniorLife affordable senior housing building achieves Phius Certification
"Phius Certification reflects high-performance, energy-efficient building design"
New theoretical model sheds light on ovarian aging, offering path toward advances in women’s health
"Researchers at Rice University have developed a mathematical model that enhances our understanding of ovarian aging and the timing of menopause, revealing mechanisms that could inform future strategies for women’s health. A recent study published in The Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters highlights the findings that the depletion of ovarian follicles, tiny functional units that contain immature eggs, follows a synchronized and predictable pattern that accelerates during midlife. This discovery helps explain why menopause typically occurs at similar ages for most women."
Key to healthier aging revealed: Invest in preventive care—especially for the disabled (new study)
"A new cross-national study reveals that older adults with disabilities are significantly less likely to receive preventive care, such as flu vaccinations, eye exams, and dental checkups. This gap remains the same for eye exams and dental care but is eliminated for flu vaccinations in countries that invest more in public healthcare."
Frailty linked to higher risk of respiratory complications and death in smokers
"“[…]in a population of adults with a smoking history, frailty and prefrailty are associated with increased respiratory exacerbations and increased risk of death”"
Inflammation and aging: Looking through an evolutionary lens
"New ASU research reveals that an accepted part of aging is not as universal as once thought"
Rethinking how medicine can approach aging
"Sutter longevity expert co-authors landmark JAMA review on geroscience"
AFAR receives NIH award renewal totaling more than $5.7 million for the Nathan Shock Centers Coordinating Center
"The American Federation for Aging Research (AFAR) has received a five-year renewal award totaling $5,722,435 from the National Institute on Aging (NIA), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), to continue and expand the Nathan Shock Centers Coordinating Center (NSC3). The NSC3 coordinates the activities of the 8 Nathan Shock Centers (NSC) of Excellence in the Basic Biology of Aging, which provide expert resources to expand basic research into the biology of aging. The NSCs began in 1995 in honor of Dr. Nathan Shock, founding head of the NIH Gerontology Research Center. This year, NIA will fund 3 new NSCs at the University of Minnesota, University of Rochester, and University of Wisconsin. These centers join the following 5 NSCs that have been renewed: The Jackson Laboratory, University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio, University of Washington, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, and University of Alabama at Birmingham."
Why do some people age faster than others? Study IDs genes at play
"Researchers have identified 400 genes associated with accelerated aging in hopes of developing therapies to slow it down"
Overweight older adults face lower risk of death after major surgery
"The findings challenge current weight guidelines for “normal” BMI for older adults heading into surgery"
