Curing Death by Curing Aging

Odds of living a very long life lower than formerly predicted

Thursday, February 09, 2012 00:00 MST

The chances to reach extreme old age are much lower than previously thought, new research shows. Research just published by a team of demographers at the social science research organization NORC at the University of Chicago contradicts a long-held belief that the mortality rate of Americans flattens out above age 80. It also explains why there are only half as many people in the US age 100 and above than the Census Bureau has predicted.

Discovery of extremely long-lived proteins may provide insight into cell aging

Wednesday, February 08, 2012 00:00 MST

One of the big mysteries in biology is why cells age. Now scientists at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies report that they have discovered a weakness in a component of brain cells that may explain how the aging process occurs in the brain.

Study uncovers probable mechanism underlying resveratrol activity

Monday, February 06, 2012 00:00 MST

National Institutes of Health researchers and their colleagues have identified how resveratrol, a naturally occurring chemical found in red wine and other plant products, may confer its health benefits. The authors present evidence that resveratrol does not directly activate sirtuin 1, a protein associated with aging. Rather, the authors found that resveratrol inhibits certain types of proteins known as phosphodiesterases (PDEs), enzymes that help regulate cell energy.

Identical twins reveal mechanisms behind aging

Friday, February 03, 2012 00:00 MST

In a recent study led by Uppsala University, the researchers compared the DNA of identical twins of different age. They could show that structural modifications of the DNA, where large or small DNA segments change direction, are duplicated or completely lost are more common in older people. The results may in part explain why the immune system is impaired with age.

New discoveries in cell aging

Wednesday, January 25, 2012 00:00 MST

A group of researchers led by the Institute of Biotechnology and Biomedicine and Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona have achieved to quantify with precision the effect of protein aggregation on cell aging processes using as models the Escherichia coli bacteria and the molecule which triggers Alzheimer's disease. Scientists demonstrated that the effect can be predicted before it occurs. Protein aggregation is related to several diseases, including neurodegenerative diseases.

Tiny amounts of alcohol dramatically extend a worm's life, but why?

Tuesday, January 24, 2012 00:00 MST

Minuscule amounts of ethanol can at least double the life span of a tiny worm used as a model for aging studies, UCLA biochemists report. "This finding floored us; it's shocking" said Steven Clarke, UCLA professor of chemistry and biochemistry, and senior author of the study.

Researchers identify genetic signatures of exceptional longevity in re-published study

Saturday, January 21, 2012 00:00 MST

While environment and family history are factors in healthy aging, genetic variants play a critical and complex role in conferring exceptional longevity, according to researchers from the Boston University Schools of Public Health and Medicine, Boston Medical Center, IRCCS Multimedica in Milan, Italy, and Yale University.

Pill some day may prevent serious foodborne illness, scientist says

Wednesday, January 11, 2012 00:00 MST

Modified probiotics, the beneficial bacteria touted for their role in digestive health, could one day decrease the risk of Listeria infection in people with susceptible immune systems, according to Purdue University research.

A shot of young stem cells made rapidly aging mice live longer and healthier

Thursday, January 05, 2012 00:00 MST

Mice bred to age too quickly seemed to have sipped from the fountain of youth after scientists at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine injected them with stem cell-like progenitor cells derived from the muscle of young, healthy animals. Instead of becoming infirm and dying early as untreated mice did, animals that got the stem/progenitor cells improved their health and lived two to three times longer than expected, according to findings in Nature Communications.

Mediterranean diet gives longer life

Tuesday, December 27, 2011 00:00 MST

A Mediterranean diet with large amounts of vegetables and fish gives a longer life. This is the unanimous result of four studies to be published by the Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg. Research studies ever since the 1950s have shown that a Mediterranean diet, based on a high consumption of fish and vegetables and a low consumption of animal-based products such as meat and milk, leads to better health.

Most US presidents live beyond average life expectancy

Thursday, December 08, 2011 00:00 MST

Contrary to claims that US presidents age at twice the normal rate, a new study by noted UIC demographer S. Jay Olshansky finds that most US presidents live longer than expected for men of their same age and era.

Aging human bodies and aging human oocytes run on different clocks

Wednesday, December 07, 2011 00:00 MST

Reproductive and somatic aging use different molecular mechanisms that show little overlap between types of genes that keep oocytes healthy and genes that generally extend life span.

Scientists turn on fountain of youth in yeast

Thursday, December 01, 2011 00:00 MST

Collaborations between Johns Hopkins and National Taiwan University researchers have successfully manipulated the life span of common, single-celled yeast organisms by figuring out how to remove and restore protein functions related to yeast aging.

Scientists identify genes that may signal long life in naked mole-rats

Thursday, November 10, 2011 00:00 MST

Scientists at the University of Liverpool have identified high levels of a number of genes in the naked mole-rat that may suggest why they live longer than other rodents and demonstrate resistance to age-related diseases.

Fruit fly intestine may hold secret to the fountain of youth

Wednesday, November 09, 2011 00:00 MST

One of the few reliable ways to extend an organism's lifespan, be it a fruit fly or a mouse, is to restrict calorie intake. Now, a new study in fruit flies is helping to explain why such minimal diets are linked to longevity and offering clues to the effects of aging on stem cell behavior.