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The intestine is one of the first organs to show signs of aging, including cellular changes, microbiota shifts, and reduced regenerative capacity. The different components of the gut-such as the epithelium (which is directly exposed to a diverse array of host-microbe interactions), the microbiota itself, and the underlying enteric nervous system-likely contribute to aging in distinct ways. Understanding their individual and interactive roles is key to elucidating the mechanisms of intestinal...

CONCLUSIONS: Heterogeneity among the homebound older adult population shapes care needs that in turn influence utilization patterns. Understanding these dynamics is crucial to targeting interventions like home-based primary care to the highest risk groups while tailoring care to individual needs.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2024.1476909.].

Sexuality in older age remains a taboo subject. Little is known about the perceptions and experiences of healthcare professionals when addressing this topic with older adults. This systematic review, registered in PROSPERO, aims to understand the perceptions, practices, and recommendations of healthcare professionals in primary and hospital care regarding the approach to sexuality and sexual health in older people. The 17 selected studies, conducted in six countries, show that physicians and...

Scientists at UCLA discovered a surprising reason aging muscles heal more slowly. In older muscle stem cells, a protein called NDRG1 builds up and acts like a brake, slowing the cells’ ability to jump into repair mode after injury. But there’s a twist: that same protein helps the cells survive the stresses of aging, allowing them to stick around longer.

Scientists have discovered that a common type of stroke may have a very different cause than doctors once thought. Instead of fatty plaque clogging arteries, the strongest link was found with enlarged and damaged blood vessels deep within the brain. The finding helps explain why standard treatments like aspirin are often less effective and is driving the search for new therapies that target the brain’s tiny blood vessels directly.

Bumble bees astonished researchers by inventing a new way to reach a hidden reward, despite never being taught the trick. The discovery adds to growing evidence that these tiny insects are far smarter and more adaptable than once believed.

A protein called “Mitch” may hold the key to a new generation of obesity treatments. Researchers found that disabling it in human cells boosts fat burning, increases energy use, and makes it harder for new fat cells to develop. The findings help explain why mice lacking Mitch were leaner, more athletic, and resistant to obesity.

A new spray-on powder developed by KAIST can stop life-threatening bleeding in about one second by instantly forming a strong gel over a wound. It works on deep and irregular injuries where conventional hemostatic products often struggle and remains effective even after years of storage in harsh conditions. Originally created for the battlefield, the technology could also transform emergency care in disasters, ambulances, and hospitals.

A paradoxical inverse correlation between cancer and Alzheimer’s disease has been repeatedly observed in epidemiological studies. While cancer and Alzheimer’s disease share common risk factors, most notably aging, the risk of Alzheimer’s disease in patients with cancer is significantly reduced, and the risk of cancer in patients with Alzheimer’s disease is halved. The convergence of two distinct disciplines, cancer and Alzheimer’s disease, offers an exciting and untapped opportunity to generate...

A paradoxical inverse correlation between cancer and Alzheimer’s disease has been repeatedly observed in epidemiological studies. While cancer and Alzheimer’s disease share common risk factors, most notably aging, the risk of Alzheimer’s disease in patients with cancer is significantly reduced, and the risk of cancer in patients with Alzheimer’s disease is halved. The convergence of two distinct disciplines, cancer and Alzheimer’s disease, offers an exciting and untapped opportunity to generate...

Perturbations in lysosome integrity are tightly linked to neurological disorders and ageing, but the underlying pathogenic mechanisms are incompletely understood. Using an unbiased proteomic approach, we here identified the bridge-like lipid transport protein VPS13C/PARK23 as a key component of a global early response pathway to lysosome damage. VPS13C readily binds lysosomes under mechanical or osmotic tension in anticipation of membrane lesions. The latter trigger a conformational change in...

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: Although HCBS availability varies across sites and regions, veterans' access also depends on VA staff time to conduct outreach, foster collaborations, and coordinate HCBS with internal and external partners. Understanding and disseminating effective strategies to strengthen veterans' HCBS access is vital as the need for HCBS continues to grow nationally.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: Clinical complexity, disability, and social vulnerabilities were associated with greater volumes of skilled home health provision from nurses and therapists from 2011 to 2015. Our results highlight care needs that may be underaddressed and inequities that may be exacerbated under current home health provisions.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: This study demonstrates that even a single fall can signal a significant shift in the health and functional trajectories of community-dwelling older people, reinforcing the need for proactive and coordinated prevention strategies.