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Aging

11 months ago

Understanding the Physiological Effects of Aging: Part One

If you finally get around to sorting through those old boxes in your garage, you might stumble upon photos of you and your loved ones over the years. As you sift through them, you’ll likely notice physical changes: graying hair, fine lines, and maybe even a few extra pounds. But what about the changes no photo can capture? While a picture might be worth a thousand words, it can’t tell the full story of how time affects the body on a deeper, physiological level. Let’s take a closer look at some of the body’s systems and the physiological effects of aging to better understand the full impact of getting older. Exterior Changes As we age, changes to our outer appearance are often the most noticeable: Skin At 30, you could probably bump your arm on the sharp edge of the countertop and walk away unscathed. Two decades later, the same accident might result in an unwanted scratch or bruise. This is due to a reduction in collagen production, which makes the skin less elastic and more prone to scrapes and bruises

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Aging

12 months ago

Why It’s a Great Time to Pursue a Gerontology Career

The growing need for gerontology professionals has created unprecedented career opportunities, driven by an expanding aging population and a scarcity of qualified specialists. If current trends persist — with fewer medical students choosing geriatric medicine and our aging population increasing — this demand will only intensify. Here we’ll present the facts and figures that demonstrate why it’s such an opportune time to pursue a career in gerontology or a related field. High Demand (That Will Get Much Higher) As of 2024, there are only 7,300 board-certified geriatricians in the U.S.: less than 1% of all physicians nationwide. Yet the U.S. has a population of about 62 million people aged 65 or older. During the next three decades, that number is expected to surge to 84 million. This significant gap between the number of available, qualified gerontologists (a professional who studies aging), geriatricians (a professional who provides medical care for older people) and other aging professionals and an increasing aging population creates exceptional opportunities for those entering the field of gerontology, which offers both job security and the chance to make a meaningful impact. Just in the next decade, the U.S

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Physiology

12 months ago

Biotechnological Innovations in Tissue Engineering

Ever wish you could just 3D-print a new knee after a long morning run? Thanks to some major breakthroughs in biotechnology, that idea isn’t as farfetched as it once seemed. Today, the global market for tissue engineering is worth about $20.1 billion, and it’s expected to double by 2033. That growth is fueled by the rising demand for regenerative therapies, advanced procedures and a growing interest in repairing the body in ways once thought impossible. Let’s look at the most promising innovations being developed in the world of tissue engineering. What Is 3D Bioprinting? Remember the replicators from “Star Trek”? “Tea. Earl Grey. Hot.” Today’s versions are a little messier, but they’re surprisingly close to that science fiction version. A bioprinter works much like a home printer but uses living cells. Researchers use “bioinks” made from stem cells and scaffolding materials to print tissues such as cartilage, skin and even small blood vessels. Latest Breakthroughs in 3D Bioprinting Here are some of the latest breakthroughs in 3D bioprinting that are shaping the future of medicine. Wake Forest’s Institute for Regenerative Medicine created an ear-shaped cartilage structure that held its shape after implantation in animals. The University of Florida created 3D-bioprinted functional liver tissue, moving us closer to full-scale, transplantable organs. While 3D printing could eliminate the need for donor tissue, reduce transplant rejection and drastically shorten recovery times, one challenge remains: vascularization—keeping printed tissue alive by getting blood and nutrients flowing through it. Smart Scaffolds: Coaching Cells to Heal Not every medical solution requires printing from scratch. Sometimes, it’s better to help the body rebuild itself

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Aging

1 year ago

How Do Public Health Initiatives Help Aging Adults?

Public health initiatives help aging adults by preventing chronic disease, expanding access to care, supporting caregivers and building communities where older adults can thrive — not just survive. About 62 million people living in the U.S. are 65 or over. By 2054, that number is expected to reach 84 million. The good news: People are living longer! The urgent news? Longer lives require stronger systems to support them. Fortunately, public health efforts are helping meet those needs. Let’s see how public health is tackling big issues for older adults — and helping them live better lives in the process. What Is Public Health? Public health focuses on the health and well-being of entire communities or countries, not just individuals. Instead of treating one patient at a time, public health professionals look at patterns and risks, asking questions like: How can we prevent disease before it starts? How can we make healthy choices easier? Professionals in this field have the potential to “add life to years” for countless older adults. How Public Health Addresses Key Aging Challenges As people grow older, their health needs become more complex and interconnected. Public health professionals play a vital role in tackling these challenges through a wide range of programs and policies. Here’s how: 1. Chronic Disease Prevention and Management Advanced age means higher risk for chronic diseases and conditions, including: Arthritis Heart disease Dementia Diabetes Cancer Some of these conditions are caused by genetic factors. Others are due to normal effects of aging or lifestyle choices. We can’t control our genes — yet — but many diseases can be prevented or delayed by changing habits, such as eating healthier or exercising more. These conditions require ongoing care, symptom management and close monitoring

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Physiology

1 year ago

How Do Vaccines Work? A Simple Guide to the Immune System and Immunization

Vaccines save lives. Period. Take the flu shot. (No, really, take it.) During the 2023-2024 flu season, influenza vaccines prevented: 9.8 million flu-related illnesses 120,000 hospitalizations 7,900 deaths And that’s just one vaccine. Throughout your life, you’ll likely be vaccinated against as many as 21 dangerous or deadly diseases, including hepatitis B, polio and tetanus. Each shot protects not only you but everyone around you. But how do vaccines work, exactly? Take a breath (and look away if you have to) while we administer a dose of vaccine knowledge. First Things First: What Are Vaccines? A vaccine is a medical treatment that teaches your body how to defend itself against a specific disease — before it even shows up

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Aging

1 year ago

The Longevity Diet: How to Eat Well After 50

As a kid, you could easily get away with eating three bowls of Froot Loops, washed down with a glass of homemade Kool-Aid (with a little extra sugar, of course, because you were the one perfecting the recipe). Sure, your body might not have been thrilled, but it tolerated a sugar-filled morning with little nutritional value. Fast forward to adulthood, and you’ve probably noticed your body is much less forgiving when you indulge in chips, fried mozzarella sticks and sugary sodas. But beyond the bloating and fatigue, why is it even more important for adults over 50 to adopt a healthier diet? In this article, we’ll explore the Longevity Diet, a science-backed approach to eating that could help extend your lifespan and improve your quality of life. What Is the Longevity Diet? Developed by biochemist Valter Longo, Ph.D., the Longevity Diet is a science-based eating pattern that emphasizes plant-based foods, healthy fats and nutrient-dense meals. (Sorry — Fruity Pebbles didn’t make the list.) The diet also incorporates periodic fasting to support cell repair and metabolic health. The goal? To help older adults live longer, healthier and more active lives. What Do You Eat on the Longevity Diet? Here are the key components of the diet: Prioritize complex carbohydrates from vegetables, fruits and whole grains. Include healthy fats from sources like nuts, seeds and olive oil. Meet protein goals with legumes and small portions of low-mercury fish. Eat fish in moderation. Limit red and processed meats. Why Nutrition After 50 Matters: Key Nutrients to Focus On As you age, several physiological changes begin to take place, such as: Muscle Loss With age, the body begins to lose lean muscle, a process called sarcopenia. To help preserve muscle mass and maintain bone density, it’s important to eat enough high-quality protein. While a steak or chicken breast might seem like the obvious choice, the Longevity Diet favors plant-forward proteins and other nutrient-dense options,like: Legumes Small portions of fish Low-fat dairy These sources are gentler on your body, lower in saturated fat and better for long-term heart and metabolic health. Bone Density Loss Aging raises your risk of osteoporosis and fractures

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Physiology

1 year ago

How Deep Can You Scuba Dive? Exploring How Our Bodies Adapt

When you think of scuba diving, one of two things probably comes to mind: the thrill of checking off a bucket list adventure, or the cautionary tales about divers surfacing too fast and getting “the bends.” Either way, there are likely plenty of questions swimming around your head. How deep can you actually dive? How does your body adjust to being underwater? And what are the real risks you should know about? We’re here to dive into the answers to all your burning scuba diving FAQs. Just how far you can venture into the ocean’s depths (or that cenote, quarry or lake you’ve been eyeing) depends on a few key factors, like your diving experience and the environment itself. For most recreational scuba divers, the safe limit is around 130 feet (or 40 meters). However, some divers go well beyond that. Welcome to the world of technical diving: a more advanced form of scuba that takes you deeper into caves, shipwrecks and other underwater landscapes. Technical divers rely on specialized gas mixtures with specific concentrations of oxygen, nitrogen and helium, carefully calibrated to match the dive’s depth and duration

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Medical School

1 year ago

What Is a Gap Year — and Is It Right for You?

You’ve seen it in movies: The main character, destined for college, shocks everyone by taking a year off to travel or pursue a passion before deciding their next move. But what about in the real world? How does a gap year play out for students who’ve just earned their undergraduate degrees and are contemplating medical school? A gap year — sometimes called a sabbatical year — is a chance to step back, explore new experiences and work toward personal or professional goals. The beauty of a gap year is that it’s entirely customizable. Some students take one after high school to gain clarity on their college plans, while aspiring medical students might use it to strengthen their med school applications. If you’re considering medical school, deciding whether to take a gap year is a big choice, with both benefits and drawbacks. Below, we break down the pros and cons to help you determine the best path forward. Gap Year Benefits Consider these advantages of taking a year to prepare for medical school. Enhance Your Application From securing letters of recommendation to sending your transcripts, the medical school application process is a marathon, not a sprint

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Aging

1 year ago

A Restful Night: How Sleep Changes As We Age

You wake up in the dark and check the time. It’s five a.m.—again. No matter what you do, falling back into that comforting snooze feels impossible, and it’s not the first time. Sound familiar? As we grow older, our relationship with sleep shifts in subtle but noticeable ways: we sleep lighter, wake up more often and tend to rise earlier. What once felt like a guaranteed eight hours of beauty sleep now feels like a series of short naps, and despite feeling tired, the body no longer wants to obey the rhythms you’re used to. But why does this happen? Let’s explore the science behind why sleep changes as we age — and what you can do to get a better night’s rest. How Does Aging Affect Our Sleep Cycles? We spend about a third of our lives sleeping (or trying to fall asleep)

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Physiology

1 year ago

Benefits of Sunlight for Your Immune System: Risks, Vitamin D and What to Know

You’ve heard the saying: “An apple a day keeps the doctor away.” But what about nature’s other daily remedy, sunlight? Is regular sun exposure actually good for your immune system — or does it do more harm than good? While there may not be a catchy phrase for it, regular, moderate sun exposure plays an important role in supporting your immune system. From vitamin D production to stimulating immune cell activity, the sun can do more than boost your mood or give you a tan. Of course, all things in moderation, sunlight included. Too much sun can suppress immune function and increase your risk for serious conditions, including skin cancer. In this article, we’ll explore how sunlight interacts with the immune system: the benefits, the risks and what future healthcare providers should know about finding the right balance. How UVA and UVB Rays Affect Your Skin and Immune System Before diving into the benefits and risks of sun exposure, let’s look at what happens when UV rays hit your skin. Sunlight delivers energy in the form of ultraviolet (UV) radiation, which triggers several biological responses. There are two main types of UV rays that impact human health: Ultraviolet A (UVA)These rays penetrate deeper into the skin and make up about 95% of the UV radiation that reaches Earth. UVA is responsible for tanning and also contributes to skin aging and wrinkle formation

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