Ageing, features and articles | Educational Science

Nov 30, 2005

Happiness in Old Age Depends on Attitude

Happiness in old age may have more to do with attitude than actual health, a new study suggests. Researchers examined 500 Americans age 60 to 98 who live independently and had dealt with cancer, heart disease, diabetes, mental health conditions or a range of other problems. The participants rated their...

Aug 31, 2005

Long Live The Klotho Mice

Klotho, a gene in both mice and men, has a definite effect on aging, according to Dr. Makoto Kuro-o. Stimulating the Klotho gene seems to delay many of the effects of old age, like weakening of bones, clogging of the arteries and loss of muscle fitness. For their current study,...

Jul 31, 2006

Men with Low Testosterone More Likely to Die

Men with low testosterone levels after age 40 have a higher risk of death over a four-year period than those with normal levels of the hormone, a new study suggests. It's not clear, however, if the two are directly related, and researchers say that it's possible a third unknown factor...

May 31, 2006

The Secret to Living Past 80: Make it to 65

In aging, as with many things in life, it's best to take things one step at a time. Doctors conclude in the July issue of Harvard Health Letter that one of the best ways to help ensure you'll live past 80 is to first set your sights on making it...

Apr 30, 2006

The Psychological Strain of Living Forever

In Oscar Wilde's novel, The Picture of Dorian Gray, the main character barters his soul for eternal youth but becomes wicked and immoral in the process. Leon Kass believes humanity risks striking a similar Faustian bargain if it pursues technology that extends life spans beyond what is natural. If our...

Mar 31, 2006

Optimism Comes with Age

People tend to see the glass half full more frequently as they age, new research indicates. Researchers showed test subjects virtual faces portraying sadness, anger, fear and happiness. They used eye-tracking technology to record which faces the subjects looked at and for how long. Test subjects age 18-21 focused on...

Oct 31, 2007

Old Folks Focus Just Fine, Thanks

Old folks can focus their attention on sights and sounds just as well as any young whippersnapper. Previous research has indicated that elderly adults might be more distracted by sights or sounds that interfere with their focus, so a new study conducted by scientists at the Wake Forest University Baptist...

Feb 28, 2007

Aging Muscles Become Hard of Hearing

As people age, neurons have to yell louder at the body's muscles to whip them into action, according to a new study, but exercise could reverse the aging effect. Researchers examined the relationship between neuron activity and corresponding muscle force for 23 subjects between the ages of 18 and 88....

Jan 31, 2007

Older People More Optimistic

Older adults are more likely to see the glass as half full than half empty, a new study finds. Researchers showed 20 young adults, aged 19 to 22, a series of positive, neutral and negative images like chocolate ice cream, an electrical outlet and a dead animal, respectively. A separate...

Dec 31, 2007

Study: How to Live 14 Years Longer

Exercise, don't smoke, and consume five fruit or vegetable servings and only one or two drinks daily and you'll live 14 years longer than smoking, hard-drinking, burger-popping couch potatoes. That's the result of new research on the combined effect of these four healthy behaviors on longevity, detailed in the journal...

Jul 31, 2009

The Truth About Record-Setting U.S. Life Expectancy

Life expectancy in the United States rose to an all-time high, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said today. But that's only half the story. The country is behind about 30 others on this measure. Though the United States has by far the highest level of health care...

Jul 31, 2009

What You Should Know About Arthritis

This Week's Question: I'm pretty sure I have arthritis in my knee. Is there any danger this will spread? First, anyone who thinks they may have arthritis should see a doctor. Self-diagnosis is hazardous to your health. Now for some information about arthritis all geezers should know. Arthritis, which comes...

Jul 31, 2009

Human Lifespans Nearly Constant for 2,000 Years

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, often the harbinger of bad news about e. coli outbreaks and swine flu, recently had some good news: The life expectancy of Americans is higher than ever, at almost 78. Discussions about life expectancy often involve how it has improved over time. According...

May 31, 2009

Getting Old Is Better Than Expected

When do we get old? People age 18 to 29 say old age starts at about 60. But those in middle-age figure it starts at 70. And those 65 and older put the threshold at 74. So it goes with other perceptions about aging in a new survey from the...

Apr 30, 2009

Old Age More Miserable for Women

Women live longer than men, on average, but its no secret that age takes its toll. A new study finds that largely owing to obesity and arthritis, which take root during early and middle age, old age can be miserable for many women — even when comparing men and women...