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a senior man uses his smartphone

PUMPING IRONY: The Chatbot Blues

By Craig Cox

Seniors are showing some reluctance to engage with AI, and that may help us maintain our mental health.

hands opening a jar

PUMPING IRONY: Losing Our Grip

By Craig Cox

Grip strength has long been a reliable marker of our susceptibility to chronic illnesses and frailty as we grow older. A new study suggests it may be governed less by the muscles than by the brain.

illustration

PUMPING IRONY: Ill-Fitting Genes?

By Craig Cox

Could we cure Alzheimer’s by tweaking a particular gene? A new study suggests a hopeful path forward, but our genetic makeup presents a few major obstacles.

a bedroom scene

PUMPING IRONY: The Sleep Solution

By Craig Cox

Nearly seven in 10 U.S. seniors suffer from hypertension. A new study suggests a more regular sleep schedule could provide some relief.

illustration clock and DNA

PUMPING IRONY: Mitochondrial Magic?

By Craig Cox

Recent longevity research has featured ever more complex — and sometimes comical — approaches to cellular manipulation.

a senior man driving

PUMPING IRONY: How’s My Driving?

By Craig Cox

A new approach to cognitive testing tracks driving patterns to identify signs of neurological impairment. It may also persuade seniors to begin planning for the day when they’ll need to give up their car keys.

a dermatologist looks at a mole

PUMPING IRONY: Skin in the Game

By Craig Cox

Recent research offers hope that a visit to a dermatologist for skin cancer treatment may someday be less invasive than current procedures. That day can’t arrive too soon.

pills and microbes

PUMPING IRONY: Balancing Act

By Craig Cox

Mounting evidence suggests that an unbalanced mix of microbes in our guts can damage our physical and mental health. New research argues that it can also affect how we age.

a senior couple holding hands

PUMPING IRONY: A Positive Sign for Older Couples

By Craig Cox

Recent research expands the once-novel theory of positive psychology by showing how positive emotions can support the health of this understudied cohort.

a senior man looks at his smartwatch

PUMPING IRONY: Can Sufficient Steps Delay Dementia?

By Craig Cox

Fitness experts often stress the need to reach 10,000 steps a day for optimal health, but a new study suggests a more moderate goal may yield surprising cognitive benefits for seniors.

a doctor talks to a patient about his x-ray

PUMPING IRONY: No Bones About It

By Craig Cox

Mounting evidence suggests that osteoporosis is more common — and more serious — in older men than previously thought. But a lack of consensus among public health experts has hampered access to necessary screenings.

A person compares two bottles of pills as they sit at a laptop.

PUMPING IRONY: A Proliferation of Pills

By Craig Cox

I’m beginning to understand why seniors tend to take so many medications and why all those drugs can create unforeseeable consequences.

medication cups

PUMPING IRONY: When the Hospice Is Inhospitable

By Craig Cox

Hospice facilities can offer a peaceful and caring experience for many people who are facing death, but a new study suggests dementia patients may find them less hospitable than advertised.

hands hold a cannibis plant

PUMPING IRONY: Don’t Worry, Be Happy

By Craig Cox

While mounting evidence suggests that regular cannabis use may pose some health risks for seniors, the booming industry seems poised to tamp down concerns.

a woman walks through a field of wheat

PUMPING IRONY: The Illusory Laws of Longevity

By Craig Cox

Why does the body age so gradually in some people and fall apart too soon in others? Researchers studying the world’s oldest person offer some clues — and raise more questions.

a man sits in a dark room

PUMPING IRONY: A Wake-Up Call?

By Craig Cox

Sleeplessness can be especially damaging to older adults, and recent research suggests it could even cause cognitive dysfunction. Such studies are almost enough to spoil a good night’s sleep.

pills

PUMPING IRONY: Gut Instincts

By Craig Cox

I figured a medication-induced microbial mix-up in my gut was causing a puzzling neuropathic condition. My suspicions proved to be correct — sort of.

a clock on an empty plate

PUMPING IRONY: The Dubious Dangers of Delayed Dining

By Craig Cox

Seniors tend to gradually eat their meals later in the day as they grow older, according to a new study that links those changes to a variety of chronic diseases. But is it the diseases that spark the mealtime changes or the mealtime changes that trigger the diseases?

a doctor talking to a patient about their prescription

PUMPING IRONY: When Guidelines Get in the Way

By Craig Cox

Rigid standards designed to improve the quality of patient care often produce the opposite effect on vulnerable seniors — dangerous overtreatment.

volunteers

PUMPING IRONY: Healthy Helpfulness

By Craig Cox

When seniors volunteer their help, whether for a formal organization or a friend in need, they may be reaping some surprising health benefits — as long as they moderate their commitment.

a senior aged woman plays the guitar

PUMPING IRONY: Lessons Worth Learning

By Craig Cox

As we grow older, the urge to engage in “lifelong learning” becomes more challenging. But recent research suggests that the effort, despite the discomfort it may produce, could yield real benefits — both cognitive and emotional.

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