Accelerated Aging Research Articles

With the acceleration of global population aging, sarcopenia (SA) and cognitive impairment have become major public health concerns. Observational studies suggest associations between them, but such findings may be biased by confounding and reverse causation. Previous Mendelian randomization (MR) studies have yielded inconsistent results. Therefore, this study applied a bidirectional MR design to clarify their causal relationships. We obtained genetic instrumental variables for SA-related traits, including hand grip strength, lean mass, and usual walking pace, from the UK Biobank. Data on cognitive performance were derived from a large genome-wide association studies meta-analysis published in Nature Genetics in 2018 (n = 257,841), with replication performed in an independent cohort from the IEU Open genome-wide association studies database (n = 22,593). Bidirectional MR analyses were primarily conducted using the inverse variance weighted method, supplemented by MR Egger, weighted median, and weighted mode approaches to validate robustness. Heterogeneity and pleiotropy were evaluated by Cochran Q and MR Egger intercept tests, while leave-one-out and Steiger directionality tests assessed robustness. Inverse variance weighted analysis demonstrated significant positive causal effects of genetically predicted right hand grip strength (odds ratio [OR] = 1.112, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.032-1.198, P = .005), right arm fat-free mass (OR = 1.060, 95% CI: 1.021-1.100, P = .002), left arm fat-free mass (OR = 1.046, 95% CI: 1.008-1.085, P = .017), right leg fat-free mass (OR = 1.060, 95% CI: 1.023-1.098, P = .001), left leg fat-free mass (OR = 1.050, 95% CI: 1.014-1.087, P = .006), whole body fat-free mass (OR = 1.081, 95% CI: 1.045-1.119, P < .001), and walking pace (OR = 1.414, 95% CI: 1.172-1.705, P < .001) on cognitive performance. In the reverse MR analysis, no significant causal effects of cognitive performance on SA-related traits were observed, except for walking pace. Genetic prediction of SA-related traits may indicate that cognitive impairment is a potential pathogenic factor. Monitoring the muscle health of older adults and preventing the onset or progression of SA could potentially slow cognitive decline. Furthermore, bidirectional MR results suggest a strong causal relationship between walking pace and cognitive performance.

Background: Aortic aneurysm (AA) is a fatal vascular disease that affects life expectancy. Theory predicts that biological processes of aging may better capture vascular aging than chronological age. Early-life tobacco exposure may induce lasting vascular injury and accelerate aging trajectories. However, the independent contributions of accelerated biological aging and early tobacco exposure to AA risk, as well as their potential synergistic interaction, remain fundamentally unknown. Methods: A total of 268,491 participants from the UK Biobank study were included. We measured biological age from clinical traits using the KDM-BA and PhenoAge algorithms. Early-life tobacco exposure was assessed using self-reported questionnaires that included questions on utero tobacco exposure and age of smoking initiation. Cox proportional hazards models were used to analyse the association between biological ageing, early-life tobacco exposure and incident aortic aneurysm. Furthermore, multiplicative and additive interactions between accelerated biological aging and early-life tobacco exposure were formally tested. Disease subtype-specific analyses were conducted separately for incident thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA) and abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). Results: Accelerated biological aging and early-life tobacco exposure were both significantly associated with increased risk of incident AA. Per standard deviation increase, PhenoAge and KDM-BA accelerations were associated with 26-35% and 27-41% higher AA risk, respectively. Participants in the highest quartile of aging acceleration showed markedly higher cumulative incidence of AA (P-trend &lt;0.001). In utero smoke exposure increased AA risk by 21%. Compared to never-smokers, smoking initiation in adulthood, adolescence, and childhood was associated with progressively elevated AA risk (HRs=2.23, 2.26, and 2.57, respectively). Individuals with both highest quartile of biological aging and early-life exposure had markedly elevated AA risk, peaking for childhood smoking combined with high KDM-BA [5.65 (4.52-7.07) or PhenoAge [4.46 (3.61-5.52)]. Effects were stronger for AAA than TAA. Conclusions: Exposure to tobacco smoke in early life markedly heightens the risk of AA when combined with accelerated biological aging. These findings underscore the need for early-life tobacco control policies and interventions targeting biological aging pathways to reduce AA burden across the lifespan.

Background With the acceleration of global population aging, elderly individuals in sub-health and pre-frailty states face increasing health risks that undermine quality of life. Home treatment devices offer a promising solution, but the key antecedent conditions and their configurational interactions remain unclear. Methods This study adopted a configurational approach to identify and analyze the key antecedent conditions influencing elderly users' satisfaction. Potential indicators were collected through an expanded snowballing literature review and refined using the Fuzzy Delphi Method (FDM) with 18 experts (June–July 2025), resulting in nine key conditions across four dimensions. A structured questionnaire was administered to 163 elderly respondents (aged 60–80) in Qingdao, China. Rough set analysis (RSA) was applied, with key configuration selection based on a coverage threshold of 10%. Results Ten valid rules were obtained, revealing multiple causal pathways for both satisfaction and dissatisfaction. The dominant satisfaction pathway (Safety = 5 and Cost Control = 5) covered 45.37% of cases, whereas the main dissatisfaction pathway (Safety = 2 and Usefulness = 2) covered 35.71%. High safety and usefulness are key conditions, but their effects depend on combinations with cost, cultural, health, and policy-related conditions. Dissatisfaction, in contrast, is often triggered by low levels of basic conditions. These findings demonstrate causal complexity, equifinality, and asymmetry, extending configurational theory to the domain of home treatment devices and providing practical guidance for device design and policy development.

Previous cross-sectional studies suggest non-linear facial skeletal aging patterns, but longitudinal evidence quantifying acceleration of change is lacking. To quantify acceleration in facial skeletal aging by analyzing three-dimensional computed tomography scans at three time points over approximately two decades. Twenty-one subjects (11 males, 10 females) underwent standardized CT imaging at three time points: T1 (mean age 45.5 years), T2 (mean age 56.3 years), and T3 (mean age 65.4 years). Twenty-one anthropometric measurements across four facial regions were obtained. Acceleration was calculated as the difference in rate of change between T1→T2 and T2→T3 intervals. Mixed-effects models tested for significant acceleration with α=0.05. Eight of 21 parameters (38.1%) demonstrated statistically significant acceleration (p<0.05). Orbital aperture area showed the greatest acceleration (10.65 mm²/year², p<0.001), followed by mandibular angle (0.64°/year², p=0.008). Ramus height demonstrated significant negative acceleration (-0.33 mm/year², p<0.001), shifting from minimal change to rapid decline. Sex-specific patterns emerged: males showed greater orbital aperture expansion (+177.0 mm² vs +119.5 mm² from T2→T3), while females demonstrated greater ramus height decline (-4.6 mm vs -2.8 mm). The pyriform angle showed subtle biphasic reversal (0.23°/year², p=0.018). Facial skeletal aging accelerates non-linearly, with region-specific patterns emerging after the sixth decade. These findings challenge linear aging assumptions and provide quantitative evidence for optimizing timing of facial rejuvenation interventions. The identification of acceleration phases enables predictive rather than reactive approaches to facial aging management.

Aspergillus spp and aflatoxins in Pakistani rice: A case study on the decontamination effect of accelerated aging and improved storage practices.

Aging gradient and aging acceleration effect on asphalt and porous asphalt mixture coupling thermal oxidation, ultraviolet radiation and water

BackgroundWith the acceleration of population aging, identifying and addressing the unmet assistance needs of home-dwelling older adults has become increasingly important. This study aimed to develop and validate a reliable and practical assessment tool to identify such needs.MethodsA descriptive qualitative study was conducted using semi-structured interviews with home-dwelling older adults in two communities in Wuhan, China. Based on the qualitative findings and literature review, an initial item pool was developed, followed by expert consultation to construct a draft scale. A cross-sectional survey was then conducted in communities across four central Chinese cities. Item analysis and psychometric testing were performed to finalize the scale.ResultsThe finalized scale consists of 27 items across four dimensions: daily assistance, health maintenance, visitation and communication, and social interaction. A total of 380 older adults participated in the study, with 170 used for item screening and 210 for validation. Confirmatory factor analysis showed good model fit (CFI= 0.951, TLI = 0.946, RMSEA = 0.068). Standardized factor loadings ranged from 0.67 to 0.94. The scale demonstrated excellent internal consistency, with Cronbach’s α ranging from 0.943 to 0.968, and met all reliability and validity standards.DiscussionThe developed scale has sound psychometric properties and is a reliable tool for assessing the unpaid assistance needs of home-dwelling older adults. It holds promise for guiding community service planning, public welfare resource allocation, and policy development in the context of population aging.

Proper maturation of neuronal and glial cells in the hippocampus is essential for emotional regulation and cognitive function. While pseudo-immaturity, defined as arrested or reversed development, has been extensively implicated in various neuropsychiatric conditions, the opposite phenomenon, hyper-maturity, remains underexplored. Here, we present transcriptomic evidence of hippocampal hyper-maturity across 17 datasets from 16 mouse models with genetic, pharmacological, or other experimental manipulations, identified through a comprehensive screening of over 260,000 omics datasets. These models were characterized by a pronounced overrepresentation of gene expression changes typically observed during postnatal development and included serotonin transporter knockout mice, glucocorticoid receptor overexpressing mice, and corticosterone-treated mice, models of depression and anxiety, Df(16)A+/- mice, a 22q11.2 deletion schizophrenia model, β-glucuronidase-deficient lysosomal storage disorder model mice, and senescence-prone SAMP8 mice. Meta-analysis of enriched pathways highlighted associations of synapse-related genes with the hyper-maturity signature. Behavioral annotations from public datasets further suggest that hippocampal hyper-maturity models predominantly exhibit increased anxiety-like behaviors, whereas immaturity models tend to display the opposite pattern. Notably, hippocampal hyper-maturity encompassed two transcriptional dimensions: enhanced postnatal development and accelerated aging. For example, SAMP8 mice aligned more with developmental enhancement, whereas corticosterone-treated and lysosomal storage disorder models reflected aging acceleration. Combined analysis with available single-cell RNA-sequencing data further delineated that microglia and granule cells may contribute to aging-associated transcriptional shifts. These findings suggest that hippocampal hyper-maturity and accelerated aging represent convergent molecular phenotypes associated with anxiety-like behavior. Bidirectional alterations in hippocampal maturity may serve as a transdiagnostic endophenotype and offer novel therapeutic or anti-aging targets for neuropsychiatric disorders.

ABSTRACT Background Epidemiological studies suggest an association between exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMFs) and an increased incidence of malignant, cardiovascular, and neurodegenerative diseases. This study aims to elucidate the fundamental principles and plausible mechanisms by which EMFs may influence physiological and pathological processes that lead to disease development. Materials and methods Published reports of oxidative stress, DNA damage, and disease risk related to EMF exposure were examined. The literature review provided the foundation for building a new conceptual model called the Electromagnetic Pathogenesis (EMP) model. Mechanisms The EMP model proposes an increase in the probability of electron tunneling through the mitochondrial electron transport chain as the primary pathophysiological mechanism triggered by non-ionizing EMFs. Induced electric fields and quantum tunneling may enhance electron leakage during mitochondrial respiration, which is a major source of free radicals. Findings There is a deep connection between quantum tunneling, entropy, and Heisenberg’s principle. As a direct consequence of Heisenberg’s principle, еlectron tunneling is essentially involved in free radical production and entropy generation in cells. Both normal aging and chronic diseases may be considered as the biologic manifestations of increasing entropy. Heisenberg’s principle underlies normal aging and sets the limit to life expectancy. Social implications The human brain, particularly the structural and functional networks that support social communication, is highly vulnerable to oxidative stress associated with EMF exposure. Long-term exposure may negatively affect social and reproductive behaviors in both men and women, potentially contributing to a decline in fertility rates and the acceleration of population aging.

ObjectiveThis study investigated the relationship between estimated glucose disposal rate (eGDR), aging acceleration (AgeAccel), and mortality in adults diagnosed with cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic (CKM) stages 1 to 4.MethodsThe study utilized data from 4,826 adults with CKM syndrome stages 1 to 4, collected from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) conducted during the 2005–2010 survey cycles. The assessment of AgeAccel was performed using two complementary measures: phenotypic AgeAccel (PhenoAgeAccel) and biological AgeAccel (BioAgeAccel). Survey-weighted logistic regression and Cox proportional hazards models were used to assess the associations of eGDR with AgeAccel and mortality risk, respectively. To assess the prognostic value of eGDR for mortality risk, we implemented a suite of nine distinct machine learning models. Additionally, a nomogram was developed to enhance the clinical applicability of our findings. Furthermore, we performed causal mediation analysis to quantify the proportion of the total effect of eGDR on mortality that was mediated through AgeAccel. To ensure the robustness of the results, we replicated our primary analyses using data from the nationally representative China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) cohort.ResultsOur analysis included 4,826 NHANES participants, among whom we documented 831 all-cause mortality events and 208 cardiovascular disease (CVD)-specific deaths during follow-up. In multivariable-adjusted Cox regression models, each unit increase in eGDR was significantly associated with a 10% reduction in all-cause mortality risk (Hazard ratio [HR] = 0.90, 95% Confidence interval [CI] 0.86–0.93) and a 13% decrease in CVD mortality risk (HR = 0.87, 95% CI 0.81–0.93). Additionally, eGDR showed a negative association with AgeAccel, including both BioAgeAccel (odds ratio [OR] = 0.85, 95% CI 0.82–0.87) and PhenoAgeAccel (OR = 0.78, 95% CI 0.75–0.80). For predicting all-cause mortality from eGDR, the K-Nearest Neighbors (KNN) showed superior discrimination (Area Under the Curve [AUC]: 0.926), exceeding the performance of other machine learning algorithms in a comparative evaluation. Mediation analysis revealed that the protective effect of higher eGDR was partially explained by slower PhenoAgeAccel, with mediation effects accounting for 23.53% and 15.73% of the total impact on all-cause and CVD mortality, respectively.ConclusionsIn the CKM population, lower eGDR levels may be associated with both AgeAccel and an increased risk of mortality, with AgeAccel potentially mediating the relationship between eGDR and mortality. These findings suggested that eGDR could serve as a potential predictor and intervention target for delaying aging and reducing mortality risk.Graphical abstractSupplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12933-025-02940-0.

The global acceleration of population aging, especially in developed countries, has led to increased demands on emergency medical services. In Tokyo, Japan's largest city, over half of all emergency transports involve older adults aged 65 and older, a figure that continues to rise annually. These patients often present with complex medical conditions, require intensive prehospital interventions, and have higher hospitalization rates compared to younger populations. Despite these trends, there is a scarcity of studies examining the characteristics of older adults patients transported by ambulance and the factors associated with their hospitalization. We conducted a retrospective study using emergency transport data from the Tokyo Fire Department (2017-2021), targeting patients aged 65 and older. We excluded non-transported cases, unknown severity assessments, and those deceased on initial evaluation. Patients were categorized into hospitalized (moderate to critical) and non-hospitalized (mild) groups. We analyzed demographics, accident type, location, prehospital care, and diagnosis. Logistic regression and inverse probability weighting were used to estimate risk differences (RDs) with 95% confidence intervals. This study analyzed 1.2 million older adults emergency transports in Tokyo, with 61% resulting in hospitalization. Hospitalized patients were older, more often male, and more frequently from care facilities. Cerebral diseases showed the highest risk difference for hospitalization (RD = 4.96), followed by cardiac and respiratory diseases. Cases with unspecified diagnoses accounted for 62% and were strongly associated with non-hospitalization (RD = 0.77). Severity profiles varied by disease, with moderate severity most common in cerebral cases and high severity in cardiac cases. Across all groups, emergency calls peaked between 9 and 10 a.m. This study identified disease-specific associations with hospitalization among older adults using emergency transport data in Tokyo. Even after adjustment, cerebral diseases remained strongly associated with hospitalization, while unspecified diagnoses were linked to non-hospitalization. These findings highlight the importance of prehospital assessment and may inform strategic improvements in triage and transport decision-making.

This study focuses on the transformation process and reconstruction mechanism of the role of the elderly group in Chengdu under the background of the digital silver economy in China’s megalopolises. With the acceleration of population aging and the rapid development of digital technology, the silver economy has become increasingly prominent in the economy of urban agglomerations. Taking Chengdu as an example, this paper adopts a mixed research method, including questionnaire survey, in-depth interview, and case analysis, to explore the transformation process of the elderly group from passively accepting digital technology to actively participating in innovation. The study finds that the role reconstruction of the elderly group in Chengdu in the digital silver economy is mainly reflected in the following aspects: (1) The improvement of digital literacy promotes the transformation of the elderly from technology users to innovation participants; (2) The improvement of social support networks promotes the integration of the elderly into the digital economic ecology; (3) Policy guidance and market driving jointly promote the release of the innovative ability of the elderly group. Based on the research results, this paper puts forward policy suggestions to promote the role reconstruction of the elderly group, including improving the digital technology education system, building an elderly-friendly digital environment, and encouraging the elderly to innovate and start businesses. This research provides a new perspective and empirical basis for understanding and promoting the development of the digital silver economy in megalopolises, and is of great significance for promoting the active participation of the elderly group in the digital economy and realizing the sustainable development of urban agglomerations.

Rationale:Fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome (FXTAS), presenting with cognitive impairment as the initial symptom, is rare. This report emphasizes the need to consider FXTAS diagnosis in cases of early onset cognitive impairment in an aging population.Patient concerns:A 57-year-old male with FXTAS was initially misdiagnosed with neuronal intranuclear inclusion disease, whose first manifestation was cognitive impairment. Testing showed a verbal IQ of 74, a performance IQ of 73, and a full scale of IQ 71, and a Clinical Memory Quotient of 74. Furthermore, his Mini-Mental State Examination score of 23 reflected a decline in short-term memory. Following reevaluation of imaging, identified T2-fluid attenuation inversion recovery hyperintensity at the cerebellar peduncles, and further investigation of the family history revealing a 7-year-old grandson with fragile X syndrome (FXS), repeat genetic testing of the patient demonstrated 121 CGG repeats in the FMR1 gene, confirming the diagnosis of FXTAS.Diagnoses:FXTAS.Interventions:The patient was treated with donepezil and simvastatin daily and alcohol consumption was restricted.Outcomes:After 1 year, the patient showed partial improvements in memory, with his Mini-Mental State Examination score rising to 27, allowing him to resume employment as a community security guard.Lessons:Due to the highly variable clinical presentation of FXS within families, clinicians should always consider fragile X testing and detailed family history when middle-aged and elderly males exhibit unexplained cognitive impairment or tremors. With the acceleration of aging in society, this case underscores the importance of multigenerational genetic screening for maternal grandparents, particularly males, in FXS families and prioritizing follow-up monitoring.

BackgroundWith the global burden of chronic diseases and the acceleration of population aging, medication literacy is crucial for self-management among older adult patients. However, the potential patterns of medication literacy remain understudied, leaving us unable to clearly categorize medication literacy among older adult patients with different characteristics.ObjectiveThe purpose of this study is to investigate the Medication Literacy of older adult patients with chronic diseases. Specifically, it aims to examine the current status of Medication Literacy in this population; to analyze distinct patterns of Medication Literacy and their relationship with chronic disease self-efficacy; and to explore the factors influencing these different patterns.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted using the convenience sampling method. Chronic disease patients admitted to the geriatrics department of a tertiary-level hospital in Deyang City, China were recruited between January and June 2025, with a final sample size of 316 participants. A general information questionnaire, a medication literacy scale for older adult patients with chronic diseases, and a chronic disease self-efficacy scale were used to conduct the survey. Latent profiles of medication literacy among these patients were identified using Mplus 8.3. Logistic regression was employed using SPSS23.0 to analyse the factors influencing different categories of medication literacy.ResultsFinally, 316 older adult patients with chronic diseases were included. Older adult patients with chronic diseases had a total medication literacy median score 70.50 (IQR: 50.00, 89.00) and a total disease self-efficacy median score 47.00 (IQR: 38.00, 52.00). Medication literacy of older adult patients with chronic diseases can be classified into four potential categories: comprehensive deficiency type (16.8%), communication strength type (28.8%),balanced development type(29.7%), and knowledge proficiency type(24.7%). Logistic regression analysis showed that age, education, personal monthly income, and chronic disease self-efficacy were associated factors of medication literacy in older adult patients with chronic diseases (all p < 0.05).ConclusionOverall, medication literacy among older adult patients with chronic diseases is at a moderate level and shows heterogeneity. Future prospective studies should test hypotheses such as: To address this, healthcare professionals should prioritize patients falling into the comprehensive-deficiency and communication-strength types, developing tailored interventions to enhance their competencies based on these distinct characteristics.

ObjectiveWith the acceleration of population aging and industrial structural transformation in China, LBP related to occupational ergonomic factors has become an increasingly serious public health issue. This study aims to assess the disease burden of LBP caused by occupational ergonomic factors in China, reveal its long-term trends, key driving factors, and future changes, fill existing research gaps, and provide scientific evidence for optimizing occupational health policies and intervention strategies for high-risk populations.MethodsData on Years Lived with Disability (YLDs), YLD rates, and age-standardized YLD rates for occupational ergonomics-related LBP from 1990 to 2021 were obtained from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021. Joinpoint regression was used to analyze temporal trends. Age-period-cohort (APC) models assessed the effects of age, time period, and birth cohort. Decomposition analysis quantified contributions from population aging, epidemiological shifts, and growth. Bayesian APC (BAPC) models projected disease burden trends through 2040.ResultsIn 2021, China had 3.314 million YLDs from occupational ergonomics-related LBP, with a crude YLD rate of 232.9/100,000 and an age-standardized rate of 178.4/100,000. Women and individuals aged 50–54 bore higher burdens. From 1990 to 2021, total YLDs slightly increased, but YLD rate and age-standardized rate declined annually by 0.3% and 1.5%, respectively. APC modeling revealed significant period and cohort effects. Decomposition analysis identified epidemiological changes as the primary driver of burden shifts. Projections indicate that by 2040, age-standardized YLD rates will fall to 194.3/100,000, but total YLDs will rise among people aged 60+, reflecting aging and cumulative occupational exposure.ConclusionOccupational ergonomic-related LBP remains a significant burden in China, especially among older and high-risk workers. Although the per capita burden is decreasing, demographic shifts and work-related exposures will sustain overall burden. Comprehensive ergonomic interventions and targeted prevention for high-risk groups are essential for improving occupational health and guiding policy development.

BackgroundWith the acceleration of global aging, the prevention and control of chronic disease comorbidity have become increasingly challenging, emerging as a significant global public health issue. Patients with multiple coexisting conditions often face complex treatment regimens and multiple medications, posing significant challenges to their participation in medication safety behaviors. Individual health behaviors are influenced by knowledge, beliefs, and social environment, among other factors. Therefore, this study employs the COM-B model to analyse the factors influencing participation in medication safety behaviors among older adult patients with chronic coexisting conditions, aiming to provide insight into participation in medication safety behaviors.MethodsThis cross-sectional study employed convenience sampling to survey 335 older adult patients with chronic disease comorbidity at a Grade A tertiary hospital in Sichuan Province, China, from July to December 2024. The survey employed a general information questionnaire, the participation in medication safety behaviors scale, the health literacy scale, the medication belief scale, the family APGAR questionnaire, and the social network scale. Descriptive analysis, univariate analysis, correlation analysis, and multiple linear regression analysis were conducted using SPSS 26.0 software.ResultsThe mean participation in medication safety behaviors score among 335 older adult patients with chronic comorbidities was 101.36 ± 16.68. Correlation analysis revealed that the total score and individual dimension scores of participation in medication safety behaviors among older adult patients with chronic comorbidities were positively correlated with the total scores of health literacy, medication belief, family function, and social network (r = 0.347–0.703, p < 0.01). Multivariate linear regression analysis revealed that education level, drug concerns, disease knowledge level, health literacy, medication belief, family function, and social network were significant predictors in the regression equation (p < 0.05), accounting for 75.5% of the total variance.ConclusionChinese older adult patients with chronic disease comorbidity demonstrate moderate participation in medication safety behaviors. Education level, drug concerns, disease knowledge level, health literacy, medication belief, family function, and social network are key determinants influencing medication safety behaviors among this population. The COM-B model provides a framework for explaining low participation in medication safety behaviors among older adult patients with chronic disease comorbidities and guides the development of targeted health intervention strategies.

Aging is a progressive and complex process of physiological changes that accumulate over time and end up undermining organismal performance. In many cases, this leads to the development of age-related diseases. Therefore, the identification of the exact mechanisms connecting aging to disease will be critical for the advancement of biomedical research in the field. Recently, a growing number of reports have linked ferroptosis, a form of non-apoptotic regulated cell death, to numerous age-related human pathologies. Although key molecular events associated with ferroptosis have been consistently observed with aging in various tissues, the interaction between ferroptosis and aging remains mostly unexplored. In this review, we investigate this interplay by examining reported findings from three different perspectives: (1) the manifestation of ferroptosis with age; (2) the acceleration of aging when ferroptosis is experimentally enhanced; and (3) the potential to slow, stop, or reverse aging through ferroptosis-targeted therapeutic interventions. Based on this analysis, we hypothesize that, although ferroptosis is defined as a cell death pathway, ferroptosis-related processes can operate at a chronic, sublethal level during aging. Importantly, the persistence of this stress might increase the susceptibility of organisms to age-associated diseases by undermining fundamental cellular functions that are critical to their healthspan, even in the absence of overt cell death. The implications for the design and development of new treatments for a broad range of age-related diseases where ferroptosis-related stress could play a central role is discussed.

With the acceleration of population aging and the spread of smart technologies, integrating Gerontechnology with spatial design has become an urgent challenge. Although previous studies have examined technology acceptance and environmental adaptation, they have lacked a systematic framework to capture multiple dimensions and their interdependencies with empirical evidence. This study proposes a two-stage integrated framework that combines the Fuzzy Delphi Method (FDM) and the Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory-based Analytic Network Process (DANP) to identify and quantify the key factors and causal structures of integrating Gerontechnology into spatial design. This study utilized FDM to screen out 15 key indicators. The DANP results show that within “Age-Friendly Design,” C10: Fault-tolerant spatial configuration received the highest weight (global weight 26.42%), followed by C9: Comfortable ambient temperature under “Living Space” (7.18%). These findings highlight the central role of fault-tolerant spatial configuration and environmental comfort in the integrated framework. In DANP, the consensus index of experts for all dimensions exceeded 95%, confirming the robustness of the findings. In addition, the DEMATEL results reveal that Gerontechnology Application has a primary driving effect on other dimensions and elements in the causal network, showing its key role in system integration. These findings provide policymakers and practitioners with clear references for prioritization and spatial planning, and also offer actionable decision support for smart spatial strategies and cross-sector collaboration in the context of healthy aging.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is expected to revolutionize intelligence production. The partnering of AI and human analysts will be critical for continued production of actionable intelligence in an age of rapid acceleration and expanding threat domains, putting AI development in the forefront of efforts to meet emerging challenges. Strategic warning, however, is different from other analytic production efforts. Warning requires inference of intent and meaning from a given set of observables in order to effectively predict near- and mid-term actions by adversaries. The forward-looking demands inherent in strategic warning argue for an approach to AI adoption that is different from that envisioned for analytic augmentation. This article outlines a linked, semi-autonomous, and scalable system of applications that could address the unique cross-domain demands of strategic warning. It is one possible way AI might be developed and incorporated to meet the expanding and evolving needs of warning.

The possible joint association of vitamin D and obesity in regard to the clinical biomarker-based biological aging process has not been well studied. We aimed to investigate the independent and combined associations of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] concentrations and body mass index (BMI) with phenotypic age (PhenoAge) and Klemera-Doubal method Biological Age (KDM-BA) acceleration. This study was conducted using data from participants in the UK Biobank baseline survey. PhenoAge and KDM-BA acceleration were calculated as the residuals from regressing PhenoAge and KDM-BA on chronological age. Restricted cubic splines and multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to investigate the associations of serum 25(OH)D concentrations and BMI with PhenoAge and KDM-BA acceleration. Interaction terms were introduced to evaluate whether the combined effects of the two factors exceeded their cumulative effects. Mediation analyses were conducted to assess whether PhenoAge or KDM-BA acceleration potentially mediated the association between 25(OH)D or BMI and all-cause mortality. In both Analysis 1 (n = 389,217) for PhenoAge, and Analysis 2 for KDM-BA (n = 329,561), participants had similar mean ages (56.49 ± 8.12 and 56.34 ± 8.13 years), sex distributions (46.7% and 46.5% men), and predominantly White ethnicity (95.0%). Consistent relationships were found between 25(OH)D, BMI and clinical biomarker-based biological age acceleration measured by PhenoAge and KDM-BA. Participants whose serum 25(OH)D concentration ≥ 50.0 nmol/L or with normal weight (BMI < 25kg/m2) had the lowest odds of clinical biomarker-based biological age acceleration. Compared to participants with serum 25(OH)D levels ≥ 50.0 nmol/L and the normal weight, participants with both 25(OH)D < 25.0 nmol/L and BMI ≥ 30.0 kg/m2 had the highest odds of PhenoAge acceleration [OR (95% CI), 2.387 (2.303, 2.474)] and KDM-BA acceleration [OR (95% CI), 4.096 (3.926, 4.274)]. The mediation analysis revealed that PhenoAge acceleration mediated 11.4% and 47.1% of the associations of 25(OH)D and BMI with all-cause mortality, while KDM-BA acceleration accounted for 7.41% and 55.2% of these associations. Serum 25(OH)D concentrations and BMI were significantly associated with the acceleration of biological aging. Combining vitamin D deficiency and obesity demonstrated enhanced synergistic association on the biological aging process, highlighting the importance of vitamin D and BMI in promoting healthy aging.