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Pumping Irony

PUMPING IRONY: Money and Memory

Can financial problems in middle age and beyond cause memory loss and cognitive decline? Recent research suggests a troubling association, while my own experience offers a more nuanced view.
By Craig Cox

PUMPING IRONY: A Breathtaking Trend

As cigarettes continue to fall out of favor, lung cancer cases continue to decline — except among nonsmokers. Recent research highlights the diagnostic and treatment challenges they face.
By Craig Cox

PUMPING IRONY: At Nursing Homes, a Growing Reliance on Sedation

Despite government warnings, long-term care facilities increasingly use antipsychotic drugs rather than nonpharmacological techniques to handle unruly residents. For those suffering from dementia, the practice carries serious risks.
By Craig Cox

PUMPING IRONY: Out of Rhythm

Seasonal time shifts can disrupt our circadian rhythms and may make us more vulnerable to various illnesses — including cognitive dysfunction. Is establishing a permanent time system the answer?
By Craig Cox

PUMPING IRONY: Old Is OK: A Healthier Approach to Aging

While longevity gurus pursue immortality with exotic biohacks, mounting evidence suggests a simpler way to add healthy years to our lives: Quit worrying about growing old.
By Craig Cox

PUMPING IRONY: When the Grieving Goes On . . . and On

The loss of a friend or loved one can hit us harder as we grow old, sometimes leading to what’s become known as prolonged grief disorder. Recent research offers some insights on the condition.
By Craig Cox

PUMPING IRONY: A Drug-Free Detour in Dementia Care?

Amid mounting evidence showing the effectiveness of a nondrug, collaborative-care approach to Alzheimer’s treatment, experts are becoming increasingly critical of Big Pharma’s longtime obsession with amyloid plaque.
By Craig Cox

PUMPING IRONY: Don’t Get Around Much Anymore

By some estimates, about one in three U.S. seniors suffer from loneliness and isolation. Recent research suggests that changes in the aging brain may keep us from reaching out.
By Craig Cox

PUMPING IRONY: The Gifts of Grandparenting

Caring for grandchildren can be challenging, but recent research suggests that time spent with them may offer surprising health benefits.
By Craig Cox

PUMPING IRONY: The Chatbot Blues

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

PUMPING IRONY: Losing Our Grip

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.
By Craig Cox

PUMPING IRONY: Ill-Fitting Genes?

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.
By Craig Cox

PUMPING IRONY: The Sleep Solution

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

PUMPING IRONY: Mitochondrial Magic?

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

PUMPING IRONY: How’s My Driving?

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.
By Craig Cox

PUMPING IRONY: Skin in the Game

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.
By Craig Cox

PUMPING IRONY: Balancing Act

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.
By Craig Cox

PUMPING IRONY: A Positive Sign for Older Couples

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

PUMPING IRONY: Can Sufficient Steps Delay Dementia?

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.
By Craig Cox

PUMPING IRONY: No Bones About It

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.
By Craig Cox

PUMPING IRONY: A Proliferation of Pills

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