Aging-US

Aging-US Podcast

Aging-US is dedicated to advancing our understanding of the biological mechanisms that drive aging and the development of age-related diseases. Our mission is to serve as a platform for high-quality research that uncovers the cellular, molecular, and systemic processes underlying aging, and translates these insights into strategies to extend healthspan and delay the onset of chronic disease. Read about the Aging-US Scientific Integrity Process: https://aging-us.com/scientific-integrity

  1. EDITORS’ CHOICE: Plant-based dietary patterns are associated with slower epigenetic aging

    1D AGO

    EDITORS’ CHOICE: Plant-based dietary patterns are associated with slower epigenetic aging

    Each month, we will highlight a paper published in Aging-US chosen as the “Editors’ Choice.” These selections are handpicked by our editors and accompanied by a brief summary, showcasing research with significant impact and novel insights in aging and age-related diseases. _____ In this study, titled “Plant-based dietary patterns are associated with slower epigenetic aging,” the researchers examined whether plant-based dietary patterns are linked to biological aging in large, diverse U.S. populations. Using data from the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study and National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), they analyzed several versions of plant-based diet scores that reflect higher intake of plant foods and lower intake of animal products, as well as distinctions between healthy and less healthy plant-based foods. They then compared these dietary patterns with DNA methylation-based “epigenetic clocks,” which estimate biological age, including GrimAge2, PhenoAge, and HannumAge. The results showed that greater adherence to overall plant-based diets, provegetarian diets, and especially healthy plant-based diets was consistently associated with slower epigenetic aging, meaning participants appeared biologically younger than their chronological age. In contrast, diets higher in less healthy plant-based foods did not show the same benefits. The findings suggest that diets emphasizing whole plant foods and limiting animal products may help slow biological aging at the molecular level. DOI - https://doi.org/10.18632/aging.206362 Corresponding author - Hyunju Kim - hyunjuk1@uw.edu Abstract video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FcJ7oEZ-KFk Sign up for free Altmetric alerts about this article - https://aging.altmetric.com/details/email_updates?id=10.18632%2Faging.206362 Subscribe for free publication alerts from Aging - https://www.aging-us.com/subscribe-to-toc-alerts Keywords - aging, plant-based diets, DNA methylation, epigenetic aging, all-cause mortality, middle-aged adults To learn more about the journal, please visit https://www.Aging-US.com​​ and connect with us on social media at: Bluesky - https://bsky.app/profile/aging-us.bsky.social ResearchGate - https://www.researchgate.net/journal/Aging-1945-4589 X - https://twitter.com/AgingJrnl Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/AgingUS/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/agingjrnl/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/aging/ Reddit - https://www.reddit.com/user/AgingUS/ Pinterest - https://www.pinterest.com/AgingUS/ YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@Aging-US Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/1X4HQQgegjReaf6Mozn6Mc MEDIA@IMPACTJOURNALS.COM

    2 min
  2. ATF5 Required for Maintaining Mitochondrial Homeostasis and Skeletal Muscle Health During Aging

    2D AGO

    ATF5 Required for Maintaining Mitochondrial Homeostasis and Skeletal Muscle Health During Aging

    BUFFALO, NY — April 9, 2026 — A new #research paper was #published in Volume 18 of Aging-US on March 27, 2026, titled “ATF5 is required for the maintenance of mitochondrial homeostasis and skeletal muscle health during aging.” Led by first author Victoria C. Sanfrancesco and corresponding author David A. Hood, both from the Muscle Health Research Centre, School of Kinesiology and Health Science, York University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, the study investigated the role of activating transcription factor 5 (ATF5) in regulating mitochondrial quality control and skeletal muscle function during aging. Using young and aged mouse models with and without ATF5 expression, the researchers examined how this transcription factor contributes to mitochondrial homeostasis, protein turnover, and stress response pathways. The analysis focused on key mechanisms such as the integrated stress response (ISR) and mitochondrial unfolded protein response (UPRmt), which are essential for maintaining mitochondrial integrity. The authors found that ATF5 plays a critical role in coordinating mitochondrial quality control and adaptive stress signaling in skeletal muscle. Notably, the absence of ATF5 prevented the typical age-related decline in muscle mass but resulted in increased muscle fatigability and elevated mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. Additionally, the loss of ATF5 disrupted normal stress-response signaling and altered protein degradation pathways, highlighting its importance in maintaining muscle function with age. “Collectively, these results suggest that ATF5 functions to maintain mitochondrial quality control and muscle endurance at the expense of muscle mass, and its absence attenuates the normal compensatory stress response to contractile activity with age.” The authors conclude that while ATF5 contributes to preserving mitochondrial function and endurance capacity, its role in regulating muscle mass and stress adaptation is complex. Further studies are needed to clarify how modulation of ATF5 and related pathways could be leveraged to improve muscle health and mitigate age-related decline in mitochondrial function and physical performance. DOI - https://doi.org/10.18632/aging.206365 Corresponding author - David A. Hood - dhood@yorku.ca Abstract video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u2OeppqIPN4 Sign up for free Altmetric alerts about this article - https://aging.altmetric.com/details/email_updates?id=10.18632%2Faging.206365 Subscribe for free publication alerts from Aging - https://www.aging-us.com/subscribe-to-toc-alerts Keywords - aging, skeletal muscle, ATF5, mitochondria, stress response To learn more about the journal, please visit https://www.Aging-US.com​​ and connect with us on social media at: Bluesky - https://bsky.app/profile/aging-us.bsky.social ResearchGate - https://www.researchgate.net/journal/Aging-1945-4589 X - https://twitter.com/AgingJrnl Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/AgingUS/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/agingjrnl/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/aging/ Reddit - https://www.reddit.com/user/AgingUS/ Pinterest - https://www.pinterest.com/AgingUS/ YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@Aging-US Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/1X4HQQgegjReaf6Mozn6Mc MEDIA@IMPACTJOURNALS.COM

    3 min
  3. Hypertonic Saline Plus Furosemide Linked to Lower Inflammatory and Remodeling Markers in ADHF

    4D AGO

    Hypertonic Saline Plus Furosemide Linked to Lower Inflammatory and Remodeling Markers in ADHF

    BUFFALO, NY — April 7, 2026 — A new #research paper was #published in Volume 18 of Aging-US on March 26, 2026, titled “Effects of intravenous furosemide plus small-volume hypertonic saline solutions on inflammatory, remodelling markers and epigenetics signatures of patients with congestive acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF).” Led by first author Mario Daidone from University Hospital, Policlinico, Paolo Giaccone, and the University of Palermo, with corresponding author Antonino Tuttolomondo from University Hospital, Policlinico, Paolo Giaccone, and University of Palermo, the randomized trial compared i.v. furosemide plus small-volume hypertonic saline solution (HSS) with i.v. furosemide alone in patients with acute decompensated heart failure due to reduced ejection fraction. The study enrolled 200 subjects, randomly assigning 107 to furosemide plus HSS and 93 to furosemide alone. The authors found that patients treated with i.v. furosemide plus HSS showed lower increases in inflammatory and remodeling biomarkers after saline load, including IL-6, hsTnT, sST2, galectin-3, and NT-proBNP, and the intervention was associated with reduced miR181b expression compared with furosemide alone. These findings suggest that adding small-volume hypertonic saline to loop diuretic therapy may influence both circulating biomarkers and miRNA-related epigenetic signatures in acute heart failure. “Nevertheless, the possible effects of the i.v. furosemide + HSS treatment on natriuretic and inflammatory markers of heart failure deserve further confirmation, whereas the effects of this type of treatment on epigenetic signatures of pathologic mechanisms involved in the left ventricular dysfunction involved in AHF pathogenesis seem to be still not studied.” The authors note that this was a randomized trial in a specific ADHF population, so additional studies will be needed to confirm the durability of the biomarker changes, define the optimal patient groups, and determine whether these molecular effects translate into improved clinical outcomes. Future work may also clarify how the saline strategy interacts with cardiac remodeling and miRNA regulation in larger and more diverse heart failure cohorts. DOI - https://doi.org/10.18632/aging.206364 Corresponding author - Antonino Tuttolomondo - bruno.tuttolomondo@unipa.it Abstract video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EG65XlcDJ3U Sign up for free Altmetric alerts about this article - https://aging.altmetric.com/details/email_updates?id=10.18632%2Faging.206364 Subscribe for free publication alerts from Aging - https://www.aging-us.com/subscribe-to-toc-alerts Keywords - aging, heart failure, acute decompensated heart failure, furosemide, hypertonic saline solution To learn more about the journal, please visit https://www.Aging-US.com​​ and connect with us on social media at: Bluesky - https://bsky.app/profile/aging-us.bsky.social ResearchGate - https://www.researchgate.net/journal/Aging-1945-4589 X - https://twitter.com/AgingJrnl Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/AgingUS/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/agingjrnl/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/aging/ Reddit - https://www.reddit.com/user/AgingUS/ Pinterest - https://www.pinterest.com/AgingUS/ YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@Aging-US Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/1X4HQQgegjReaf6Mozn6Mc MEDIA@IMPACTJOURNALS.COM

    3 min
  4. BOLD Variability Modulation Linked to Age-Specific Bimanual Performance

    APR 2

    BOLD Variability Modulation Linked to Age-Specific Bimanual Performance

    BUFFALO, NY — April 2, 2026 — A new #research paper was #published in Volume 18 of Aging-US on March 24, 2026, titled “Age-specific relationship between the modulation of brain dynamics in response to task demands and bimanual performance.” Led by first author Sara Magalhães Ferreira from Hasselt University, with corresponding author Koen Cuypers from Hasselt University and KU Leuven, the study examined how age affects BOLD variability and its modulation with task demands during a bimanual task. The authors used fMRI in 22 younger and 23 older healthy adults who performed three increasingly complex task conditions. The authors found that older adults showed higher BOLD variability in cerebellar lobule VIIIb and greater modulation across task conditions in sensorimotor and cerebellar regions. Modulation of BOLD variability predicted performance in an age- and region-dependent manner: in younger adults, reduced modulation in sensorimotor and visuospatial areas correlated with better performance, whereas in older adults, increased modulation in the inferior and superior parietal lobules was linked to higher performance. Across groups, better outcomes were associated with greater modulation in the middle occipital gyrus but lower modulation in cerebellar Crus I. “In sum, this study highlights the potential role of BOLD variability modulation in shaping bimanual performance during aging.” The authors note that, while the age-related differences in BOLD dynamics were clear, they did not find robust evidence supporting a brain-behavior relationship in bimanual performance, which limits how directly the neural findings can be interpreted behaviorally. They recommend future work using multimodal imaging, longitudinal designs, and studies that examine both cognitive and motor domains within the same participants to determine whether variability modulation reflects aging, experience, intervention, or broader cross-functional signatures of aging. DOI - https://doi.org/10.18632/aging.206363 Corresponding author - Koen Cuypers - koen.cuypers@uhasselt.be Abstract video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3TbcGFCZV9s Sign up for free Altmetric alerts about this article - https://aging.altmetric.com/details/email_updates?id=10.18632%2Faging.206363 Subscribe for free publication alerts from Aging - https://www.aging-us.com/subscribe-to-toc-alerts Keywords - aging, bimanual coordination, Bimanual Tracking Task, BOLD variability, task modulation To learn more about the journal, please visit https://www.Aging-US.com​​ and connect with us on social media at: Bluesky - https://bsky.app/profile/aging-us.bsky.social ResearchGate - https://www.researchgate.net/journal/Aging-1945-4589 X - https://twitter.com/AgingJrnl Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/AgingUS/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/agingjrnl/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/aging/ Reddit - https://www.reddit.com/user/AgingUS/ Pinterest - https://www.pinterest.com/AgingUS/ YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@Aging-US Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/1X4HQQgegjReaf6Mozn6Mc MEDIA@IMPACTJOURNALS.COM

    3 min
  5. IL6 and IL6R: Opposing Forces of Inflammation That Shape Human Survival

    APR 1

    IL6 and IL6R: Opposing Forces of Inflammation That Shape Human Survival

    Inflammation is a double-edged sword. It defends the body against infection and injury, yet when it becomes chronic, it can accelerate aging and fuel the very diseases that shorten human life. For decades, scientists have observed that people with higher levels of inflammatory markers like interleukin-6 (IL6) and C-reactive protein (CRP) tend to have shorter lifespans. But the critical question has always been: does inflammation cause mortality, or does it merely reflect underlying disease? A research paper, titled “Causal effects of inflammation on long-term mortality: A mendelian randomization study” was published in Volume 18 of Aging-US by an international team of researchers, provides a definitive answer by using a powerful genetic technique to untangle cause from effect. The team’s investigation demonstrates that the IL6 inflammatory pathway has a direct causal impact on human survival—but with a surprising twist: two components of the same pathway pull in opposite directions. Full blog - https://aging-us.org/2026/04/il6-and-il6r-opposing-forces-of-inflammation-that-shape-human-survival/ DOI - https://doi.org/10.18632/aging.206352 Corresponding author - Eliano P. Navarese - elianonavarese@gmail.com Abstract video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Br1A0jgU-4M Sign up for free Altmetric alerts about this article - https://aging.altmetric.com/details/email_updates?id=10.18632%2Faging.206352 Subscribe for free publication alerts from Aging - https://www.aging-us.com/subscribe-to-toc-alerts Keywords - aging, mendelian randomization, inflammatory biomarkers, mortality, cardiovascular disease To learn more about the journal, please visit https://www.Aging-US.com​​ and connect with us on social media at: Bluesky - https://bsky.app/profile/aging-us.bsky.social ResearchGate - https://www.researchgate.net/journal/Aging-1945-4589 X - https://twitter.com/AgingJrnl Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/AgingUS/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/agingjrnl/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/aging/ Reddit - https://www.reddit.com/user/AgingUS/ Pinterest - https://www.pinterest.com/AgingUS/ YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@Aging-US Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/1X4HQQgegjReaf6Mozn6Mc MEDIA@IMPACTJOURNALS.COM

    7 min
  6. Plant-Based Dietary Patterns Linked to Slower Epigenetic Aging

    MAR 31

    Plant-Based Dietary Patterns Linked to Slower Epigenetic Aging

    BUFFALO, NY — March 31, 2026 — A new #research paper was #published in Volume 18 of Aging-US on March 20, 2026, titled “Plant-based dietary patterns are associated with slower epigenetic aging.” Led by first and corresponding author Hyunju Kim from the Department of Epidemiology and the Cardiovascular Health Research Unit, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, the study examined whether four plant-based diet indices — overall PDI, provegetarian diet, healthy PDI, and unhealthy PDI — were associated with DNA methylation-based measures of epigenetic aging. The authors analyzed data from the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study (n = 2,810) and the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES, n = 2,056), and assessed associations with GrimAge2, HannumAge, and PhenoAge. The researchers found that each standard deviation higher in the overall PDI, provegetarian diet, and healthy PDI was associated with decelerated GrimAge2, while higher overall PDI and provegetarian diet were also associated with decelerated PhenoAge and HannumAge. By contrast, unhealthy PDI was not significantly associated with epigenetic aging. The findings suggest that plant-rich dietary patterns, especially those emphasizing healthier plant foods, may be linked to slower biological aging in largely non-vegetarian populations. “No significant association was observed for unhealthy PDI and any of the DNA methylation-based aging.” The authors note that these are observational data and do not establish causality. They call for longitudinal and interventional studies to determine whether sustained adherence to healthy plant-based dietary patterns can directly influence epigenetic aging and related health outcomes over time. DOI - https://doi.org/10.18632/aging.206362 Corresponding author - Hyunju Kim - hyunjuk1@uw.edu Abstract video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FcJ7oEZ-KFk Sign up for free Altmetric alerts about this article - https://aging.altmetric.com/details/email_updates?id=10.18632%2Faging.206362 Subscribe for free publication alerts from Aging - https://www.aging-us.com/subscribe-to-toc-alerts Keywords - aging, plant-based diets, DNA methylation, epigenetic aging, all-cause mortality, middle-aged adults To learn more about the journal, please visit https://www.Aging-US.com​​ and connect with us on social media at: Bluesky - https://bsky.app/profile/aging-us.bsky.social ResearchGate - https://www.researchgate.net/journal/Aging-1945-4589 X - https://twitter.com/AgingJrnl Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/AgingUS/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/agingjrnl/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/aging/ Reddit - https://www.reddit.com/user/AgingUS/ Pinterest - https://www.pinterest.com/AgingUS/ YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@Aging-US Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/1X4HQQgegjReaf6Mozn6Mc MEDIA@IMPACTJOURNALS.COM

    2 min
  7. Exergames Could Improve Mood in Older Adults

    MAR 25

    Exergames Could Improve Mood in Older Adults

    BUFFALO, NY — March 25, 2026 — A new #review was #published in Volume 18 of Aging-US on March 18, 2026, titled “What are the effects of exergames on the mood states of older people? A systematic review of experimental studies, impacts on mental health and recommendations.” Led by Camile de Bem Gaspar and Whyllerton Mayron da Cruz, with corresponding author Alexandro Andrade, all from the Laboratory of Sport and Exercise Psychology, Human Movement Sciences Graduate Program, College of Health and Sport Science of the Santa Catarina State University (UDESC) in Florianópolis, Brazil, the review examined whether exergames can influence mood in older adults. The authors followed systematic review and meta-analysis methods, screened 651 studies, and found nine that met the inclusion criteria, representing 325 participants aged 61 to 78.9 years. The review found that exergames were associated with better mood outcomes, including reductions in tension, anger, fatigue, confusion, and depressive symptoms, while also promoting engagement, immersion, and socialization. In the studies that measured mood more broadly, participants described exergames as improving well-being and emotional state, and no included study reported worsened mood after participation. “The results indicate that the practice of exergames had a positive effect on the mood of older adults.” The authors note, however, that the evidence base remains small and heterogeneous, with only nine eligible trials and several different mood measures used across studies. They call for longer-term interventions, larger and more diverse samples, and additional home-based or low-cost exergame studies to determine how durable the benefits are and how best to recommend them for older adults in real-world settings. DOI - https://doi.org/10.18632/aging.206361 Corresponding author - Alexandro Andrade - alexandro.andrade.phd@gmail.com Abstract video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mNBh_alqVRI Sign up for free Altmetric alerts about this article - https://aging.altmetric.com/details/email_updates?id=10.18632%2Faging.206361 Subscribe for free publication alerts from Aging - https://www.aging-us.com/subscribe-to-toc-alerts Keywords - aging, electronic games, older adults, BRUMS, mental health, physical activity To learn more about the journal, please visit https://www.Aging-US.com​​ and connect with us on social media at: Bluesky - https://bsky.app/profile/aging-us.bsky.social ResearchGate - https://www.researchgate.net/journal/Aging-1945-4589 X - https://twitter.com/AgingJrnl Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/AgingUS/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/agingjrnl/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/aging/ Reddit - https://www.reddit.com/user/AgingUS/ Pinterest - https://www.pinterest.com/AgingUS/ YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@Aging-US Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/1X4HQQgegjReaf6Mozn6Mc MEDIA@IMPACTJOURNALS.COM

    2 min
  8. New Blood- and Microbiome-Based Neural Networks Forecast Human Biological Age

    MAR 23

    New Blood- and Microbiome-Based Neural Networks Forecast Human Biological Age

    BUFFALO, NY — March 23, 2026 — A new #research paper was #published in Volume 18 of Aging-US on March 12, 2026, titled “Blood biochemical and gut microbiotic neural network models forecasting human biological age.” Led by Anastasia A. Kobelyatskaya from the Russian Clinical Research Center for Gerontology, Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, and the Institute of Biology of Aging and Healthy Longevity Medicine with Preventive Medicine Clinic, Petrovsky Russian Research Centre of Surgery — with corresponding author Alexey Moskalev from the Institute of Biology of Aging and Healthy Longevity Medicine with Preventive Medicine Clinic, Petrovsky Russian Research Centre of Surgery — the study builds a gender-specific biochemical model (seven routine clinical markers, e.g., cystatin-C, IGF-1, DHEAS, plus sex-specific sets) and a microbiota model (45 species measured by full-length 16S sequencing). Both models were trained and tested on the same 637-person dataset and achieved mean absolute errors of around six years and R² values above 0.8. The team emphasised interpretability: they applied SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) to convert each model from a “black box” into a more interpretable tool, showing how individual predictors (for example, DHEAS, cystatin-C, NT-proBNP in the blood model, and species such as Blautia obeum in the microbiota model) shift predicted age in years for a given individual. The biochemical clock yielded a small (clinically accessible) predictor set (7 markers) to ease clinical translation, while the microbiota clock used a 45-species signature and highlighted microbiome taxa whose abundance gradients correlate with predicted microbiotic age. “As the proposed models possess both global and local explainability, they hold future potential for application in monitoring the effectiveness of various interventions in clinical trials.” The authors note limitations and next steps: the cohort was restricted to a Caucasian population, and the microbiota model requires sequencing resources that may limit immediate clinical rollout. They call for external validation in larger, ethnically diverse cohorts, prospective testing to link model predictions to health outcomes, and application of the explainable models to monitor responses in intervention trials (for example, lifestyle, diet, or drug studies) where a change in predicted biological age would be an early, interpretable signal of benefit. DOI - https://doi.org/10.18632/aging.206360 Corresponding author - Alexey Moskalev - amoskalev@med.ru Abstract video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wg3YEwXMKWY Sign up for free Altmetric alerts about this article - https://aging.altmetric.com/details/email_updates?id=10.18632%2Faging.206360 Subscribe for free publication alerts from Aging - https://www.aging-us.com/subscribe-to-toc-alerts Keywords - aging, biological age, blood biochemistry, gut microbiome, neural network To learn more about the journal, please visit https://www.Aging-US.com​​ and connect with us on social media at: Bluesky - https://bsky.app/profile/aging-us.bsky.social ResearchGate - https://www.researchgate.net/journal/Aging-1945-4589 X - https://twitter.com/AgingJrnl Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/AgingUS/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/agingjrnl/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/aging/ Reddit - https://www.reddit.com/user/AgingUS/ Pinterest - https://www.pinterest.com/AgingUS/ YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@Aging-US Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/1X4HQQgegjReaf6Mozn6Mc MEDIA@IMPACTJOURNALS.COM

    3 min

Ratings & Reviews

4
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Aging-US is dedicated to advancing our understanding of the biological mechanisms that drive aging and the development of age-related diseases. Our mission is to serve as a platform for high-quality research that uncovers the cellular, molecular, and systemic processes underlying aging, and translates these insights into strategies to extend healthspan and delay the onset of chronic disease. Read about the Aging-US Scientific Integrity Process: https://aging-us.com/scientific-integrity

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