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AgingAging is the progressive decline of the human body's function. It results from a combination of genetic, environmental, and metabolic factors. As our cells accumulate damage, important systemic processes within the body become dysregulated, leading to an increased rate of disease and mortality.
As we age, our cells accumulate damage on many fronts, including mutations in DNA (our cells' information code), shortening of telomeres (protective end caps on DNA strands), and epigenetic alterations (changes in how our cells read DNA information). This causes our microscopic machinery to go awry.
While the most familiar convention of measuring age is "chronological" (that is, measuring age in years), there is an emerging interest in determining "biological age"—how quickly our individual cells show signs of deterioration. Explore Aging
What we've found
Less than 1% of aging studies consider menopause and its effectsNearly all studies researching the biology of aging don't consider menopause in their setup, in part because menopause is difficult to emulate in animal models. Menopause is uncommon in the animal world beyond humans and whales. This presents a problem for medicine and science because about 75% of aging-related diseases are likely influenced by menopause. Harvard Medical SchoolMillions of aging Americans are facing dementia or cognitive impairment—aloneAn estimated 4.3 million people aged 55 or older who have cognitive impairment or dementia live alone in the US. The individuals facing these challenges are more likely to be women, people of color, and to generally be poorer and less educated than other older adults who are also living alone. KFF Health NewsShingles vaccine may slow biological aging in older adultsResearch published in 2025 that analyzed data from thousands of older adults found that those who had received the shingles vaccine exhibited signs of slower biological aging, such as lower levels of inflammation and slower epigenetic aging, than those who had not been vaccinated. University of Minnesota Yoga can be beneficial for aging practitionersStudies suggest that yoga can help alleviate several diseases associated with aging by lowering blood pressure, reducing blood fat levels, and combating obesity. It has also been shown to increase telomerase activity, which helps slow cell aging. The ConversationDoctors use three key physical markers to determine biological aging The length of the ends of chromosomes (known as "telomeres"), the gradual change in collections of DNA molecules called "methyl groups", and the secretion of inflammatory proteins are all used as indicators of biological age. TED-EdBiological aging tests assess the breakdown of physiological systemsKnown as aging clocks, these tests compare various metrics, like DNA methylation patterns and protein profiles, to healthy baselines. However, the non-uniformity of these baselines across individuals limits testing accuracy and prevents their clinical use. Live ScienceThe Dog Aging Project uses information from over 50,000 dogs to explore longevityThe study gathers health, lifestyle, and genetic data to understand what helps dogs live longer, healthier lives. Findings could also provide human health insights due to our shared surroundings and biology. NPRAn affineur is the person in charge of aging cheese to perfectionTheir duties can include washing the rind with a salt solution, monitoring mold growth, adding herbs, and more. An affineur can take care of their cheeses from anywhere between a few months to several years. Cheese ConnoisseurImagining the memoirs of aging Disney princessesThis resource shares a collection of drawings that humorously imagine the books Disney princesses would write as middle-aged women. See Cinderella’s guide to passive income or Sleeping Beauty’s story of becoming sober in this creative collection of comics. Edith ZimmermanAging explained with Dr. Nick GolinvauxAging is more than wrinkles and gray hair—it’s a gradual decline in cellular function. Over time, DNA damage, telomere shortening, and mitochondrial inefficiency contribute to weaker bones, slower memory, and reduced vitality. While aging is inevitable, regular exercise, quality sleep, and stress management maintain health and extend one’s years. 1440The aging electrical substations of SaigonOne of the overlooked influences of French colonialism in Vietnam lies in the capital city Saigon’s electrical infrastructure. Though France withdrew in the 1950s, many of the colonial-era substations built by the French company Compagnie des Eaux et Électricité are still operational today. Scroll through the article for images of these substations and an overview of their history. SaigoneerMultiple new research paths may lead to slowing (or even reversing) agingAging has always been inevitable, but fasting, epigenetic reprogramming, and parabiosis seem to help people stay young. By studying centenarians, memory, and even the humble roundworm, scientists are looking for the genetic basis to live not just a long life, but a healthy one. The EconomistAging is a complex biological process affecting our cells, tissues, and organsWith each passing decade, researchers uncover additional causes and effects of this seemingly unstoppable process. This visually stimulating video dives into our current understanding of aging, complete with the biological hallmarks researchers use to study aging at the cellular level (biological age). Science in MotionHow aging degrades neural functioning in the brain over timeAging affects the brain perhaps more than any other organ in the body. Throughout life, the brain experiences radical shifts in the number of neurons, synaptic connections between neurons, and hormone levels that regulate our mood and processing. The EconomistCellular aging and deterioration leads to tissue (and overall) agingCells are the building blocks of life, forming tissues and organs that keep our bodies working. As we age, cellular changes have progressive consequences on both the structure and function of our organs. This article examines this complex relationship as it relates to the incremental changes associated with aging. Mount SinaiDNA damage and chemical stress causes cellular agingWhile outward signs of aging, like gray hair and wrinkles, are easy to spot, aging changes at the cellular level are less obvious. The decline within cells stems from numerous sources, including DNA damage, oxidative stress, and accumulated waste. Ask the ScientistsAging results from the cumulative breakdown of cellular and tissue processesA cumulative breakdown of cellular and tissue processes combines to result in decreased organ function, disrupting the systems driving normal human physiology. This five-minute video provides a primer on the subject, complete with a discussion of risk factors, cellular changes, and potential future treatments in the fight against aging. TEDEach part of the human body experiences aging differentlyWith global average life expectancy cresting at 73 years, understanding how the body ages is imperative to effective medical treatment and maintaining a desired quality of life. This 13-minute video dives into how the body and its organs age "from head to toe." WIREDExternal factors, not aging itself, lead to sleep loss in older adultsThough it is often believed that people need less sleep as they age, the recommended sleep guidelines for all adult age groups are almost identical. However, factors such as medication use, lack of physical activity, and loneliness can lead to sleep problems, and thereby lead older people to believe that they actually need less sleep than they do. External factors, not aging itself, lead to sleep loss in older adultsThe cost of maintaining aging voting systemsA joint analysis from the Brennan Center and Verified Voting finds that replacing aging voting equipment will cost hundreds of millions of dollars. Brennan Center for JusticeDigital re-aging and de-aging of faces in film and TV has become increasingly commonTraditional techniques for accomplishing this process were slow and labor-intensive, and often required manual frame-by-frame edits, forcing them to be reserved for "hero characters" and close-up shots. Deep learning methods used by Disney and other production companies now provide fully-automatic and production-ready methods to produce such deepfakes for entertainment purposes. DisneyResearchHubAn interactive periodic table maps every possible combination of cheese variablesPlotting milk type, texture, rind, mold, aging, and processing as intersecting axes, the tool shows which combinations already exist as named cheeses, which survive only as rare regional styles, and which remain entirely unexplored. Cheese MapLearn the differences between mild cognitive impairment and age-associated memory lossMild cognitive impairment is a condition in which people experience more thinking and memory problems than expected for their age. It's often associated with depression and anxiety. Daily routines, writing things down, and healthy lifestyle choices can help cope with the condition, but there's no cure. The condition elevates the risk of developing dementia and Alzheimer's. National Institute on AgingHow Alzheimer's disease affected one family as symptoms progressedNews program 60 Minutes interviewed a couple navigating aging and Alzheimer's over a 10-year period to illustrate the effects of the disease on their lives. 60 MinutesGrieving is a process—no need to rush social activities or major life decisions, if possibleIndividuals experiencing grief may find comfort through counseling, online support groups, support books, and activities like volunteering. Each of these resources can help individuals build a community or new daily patterns when navigating intense anguish. National Institute on AgingWomen more likely than men to report strain of being a caregiverA Pew Research Center caregiver analysis from 2026 indicates that, though men and women both say caring for aging parents improved their relationships with their parents, women are more likely than men to report that it had a negative impact on their emotional well-being and physical health. Pew Research CenterTen writers and thinkers on what growing older actually requires of usThe Marginalian's Maria Popova curates a collection arguing our culture has learned to dread aging while forgetting it is a privilege, and that the antidote is sustaining passions strong enough to keep us from turning inward. Voices include Simone de Beauvoir, Joan Didion, Pablo Casals, and Kahlil Gibran. The MarginalianData center power demands have delayed the retirement of coal plantsUS data center power consumption is expected to triple by 2035 to meet the growing infrastructure needs of AI platforms. Longer construction times and higher startup costs for renewable energy systems such as wind and solar have led to at least 15 coal power plant closures being postponed. Yale E360Watch how your nervous system's efforts to process silence can contribute to tinnitusCochlear cells can be damaged in numerous ways, including aging or exposure to loud noise. If enough cells die, the auditory system can become less sensitive, prompting the brain to compensate by amplifying sound, which is likely to contribute to tinnitus. TED-EdA living will is a legal document spelling out your medical wishes for emergency careThis legal document makes it explicit if you want medical interventions in the event of an emergency, including CPR, feeding tubes, ventilator assistance to push air into your lungs to help you breathe, and more. Talking with your doctor about this is covered by Medicare. National Institute on AgingOrgan donation isn't usually logistically possible if you die at homeSince organs need to be well-preserved for organ donation, with oxygen flowing through the body, internal organs often aren't viable for organ donation if someone dies at home. But some tissues—like eye corneas and skin tissue—may still be donated since they remain usable for a longer period without oxygen flow. National Institute on AgingYour brain appears to age in five distinct stagesAnalysis of brain scans from about 4,000 people has helped scientists identify five major stages of our brain's maturation from birth to death. The pattern of connections inside our brains seem to shift, on average, at ages 9, 32, 66 and 83. (Some readers may experience a paywall.) The Wall Street JournalSuperbugs could claim 1.9 million lives per year by 2050The increased use of antibiotics combined with an aging population, is projected to result in an almost 50% increase in global deaths from antimicrobial resistance each year. At the same time, antibiotic use for livestock is expected to increase by 30% over the same time frame. NatureEnvironment and genetics explain why animals have widely different lifespansBoth environmental conditions and genetic factors shape how long various animals live. For some creatures, colder conditions allow for less energy use and slower aging. Larger animals have fewer predators. While humans don't live the longest, we are a rare species that successfully lengthened its average lifespan over time. TED-EdAnnuities have two core phases: the accumulation phase and the annuitization phaseDuring the accumulation phase, individuals invest in their annuity with financial contributions. The annuitization phase is when the annuity is paid out. National Council on AgingThere are 6 essential steps in cheesemakingThe six basic steps that are required to turn milk into cheese start with acidification and end with ripening (aka aging). This guide explains what happens at each step and how it contributes to the finished product. The Spruce EatsAncient Romans helped develop modern cheese production techniques The ancient Romans loved cheese and experimented with different processes to elevate its flavor, like aging. Some of their innovations, like Pecorino Romano, you can still find today. Others, like the smoked goat-milk Caseus, we only know about through historical records. UNRV.comMaking Champagne from start to finishThis video from wine educator Amelia Singer covers everything from grape to glass. She’ll walk you through pressing the fruit, fermentation, aging, disgorgement, and, of course, drinking. Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET)The gaps in menopause research and their effectsNearly all studies (99%) researching the biology of aging don’t consider menopause in their setup. A Harvard professor noted that about 75% of aging-related diseases are likely influenced by menopause. In this article, she discusses how gaps in research are negatively impacting how the medical system can effectively treat aging women. Read her analysis of the issue here. Harvard UniversityMenopause and perimenopause symptoms may affect both the mind and bodyWomen going through these aging transitions may experience some common physical and mental symptoms to varying degrees, including hot flashes, bladder control issues, brain fog, and vaginal dryness. This article dives into some of the most common symptoms women might expect during perimenopause, plus what they can do to relieve them. Office on Women's Health - U.S. Department of Health and Human ServicesMeta has added video features to attract more young users to FacebookAmid an aging userbase and competition from newer social networks like TikTok, Facebook has seen its perceived relevance and cool factor progressively decrease. The Local tab and dating features are among several efforts to counter this perception. ReutersDoes our fear of Alzheimer's create stigma around its treatment?Surveys suggest our fear of Alzheimer's as a disease outranks that of heart disease and cancer. This piece argues our fear of aging and the slipping away of our mental capacities make it more difficult to treat Alzheimer's compassionately. Literary HubChronological versus biological ageScience has come to understand different types of aging. What we call age is simply the number of years since birth, or chronological age. At the cellular level, biological aging happens at different rates for different people, and explains why some seem to age more quickly (or slowly). The ConversationRoughly 10% of the world's population is older than 65 (2023 data)With recent advances in medicine, sanitation, and nutrition, expected lifespans have rapidly risen around the globe—resulting in a rapidly aging global population. The worldwide distribution has seen a nearly 600% jump in the population of people aged 65 and older. Our World in DataInside entrepreneur Bryan Johnson's race to live foreverCreated by entrepreneur Bryan Johnson in 2022, the Rejuvenation Olympics asks participants to find ways, including exercise and dietary supplements, to slow their biological aging. But some of these tactics are extreme in cost or nature—such as Johnson's regular injections of blood from his teenage son. VoxA summary of the 2020 censusThis summary of the 2020 census shows an aging America and wide racial gaps between generations. The information provides the national and geographic composition of the nation’s age and racial-ethnic makeup. New statistics for 2020 show that the... The Brookings InstitutionDemographic definitions and key termsThis page provides a clear definition of demography and a glossary of demographic terminology. Demography is the science of populations. By investigating birth, migration, and aging, demographers seek to understand population dynamics. The Max... Max Planck SocietyThe last Inca grass suspension bridge in PeruHigh in the Peruvian Andes, the aging Q’eswachaka bridge sags precariously over the Apurímac River. It has been built and rebuilt continuously for five centuries. Read more about it here. National GeographicStem cells can reboot the ability of cells to repair themselvesStem cells—special cells that can self-renew and evolve into new cell types—may provide a path to address aging. Instead of repairing aging cells, stem cells can replace a cell's "repair kit," effectively rebooting the internal processes of tissues to a more youthful state. Stanford MedicineAlzheimer's can cause brain shrinkage of between 10% and 30%While the exact cause of Alzheimer's is debated, the buildup of amyloid plaques and tau protein tangles is instantly recognizable in post-mortem examinations. The atrophy of brain cells caused by this molecular pileup leads to noticeable physical changes, including significant shrinkage in affected brain regions. National Institute on Aging
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