Read complete books and articles on: Aging

Aging - in biology, cumulative changes in an organism, organ, tissue, or cell leading to a decrease in functional capacity. In humans, aging is associated with degenerative changes in the skin, bones, heart, blood vessels, lungs, nerves, and other organs and tissues. The branch of medicine that deals with the disorders of aging in humans is geriatrics.

Biologists have advanced a variety of

Biologists have advanced a variety of theories to explain aging, but most of them agree that this process is largely determined by genes. This view is suggested by the great range of lifespans among different animal species—from a few days in the fruit fly to more than 100 years in some tortoises. Scientists have recently learned how to double the lifespans of such laboratory organisms as roundworms and fruit flies through genetic manipulation, and mutant genes in mice have been observed to have a comparable effect in postponing aging.

At the cellular level, an important recent finding has been that the lifespans of cells in the human body are determined by strings of DNA (genetic material) called telomeres, which are located at the ends of the chromosomes. Each time a cell divides, the telomere becomes shorter; the senescence and death of the cell is triggered when the telomere is reduced to a certain critical length. Telomerase, an enzyme that can intervene in this process, is being closely studied in relation to cancer as well as aging.

Environmental factors have been observed to affect aging as well. Scientists have discovered that they can significantly postpone aging in mice by providing them with very low-calorie diets, and recent studies of rhesus monkeys on low-calorie diets appear to be having the same results. It is believed that these diets slow the aging process by lowering the rate at which tissue-damaging substances called free radicals are produced in the body. One aim of these studies is the development of antioxidant drugs that could slow the aging process in humans by protecting against free radicals.

See L. Hayflick, How and Why We Age (1994).

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14 of the Best Books and Articles on: Aging

as selected by Questia librarians

1.

Multidisciplinary Perspectives on Aging » Read Now
by Lynn M. Tepper, Thomas M. Cassidy. 292 pgs.

Collections: Entire Library
2.

The Many Dimensions of Aging » Read Now
by Robert L. Rubinstein, Miriam Moss, Morton H. Kleban. 273 pgs.

Collections: Psychology, Entire Library

...THE MANY DIMENSIONS OF AGING Robert L. Rubinstein, PhD, is Professor...interests include older men, environment and aging, social relations of older people, and...since...
3.

Aging in Society: Selected Reviews of Recent Research » Read Now
by Matilda White Riley, Beth B. Hess, Kathleen Bond. 288 pgs.

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...AGING IN SOCIETY: Selected Reviews of Recent Research AGING IN SOCIETY: Selected Reviews of Recent Research Edited...Cataloging in Publication Data Main entry under title:...
4.

Growing Older: What Young People Should Know about Aging » Read Now
by John Langone. 176 pgs.

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Discusses some of the truths, myths, and popular misconceptions of the aging process.
5.

Successful Aging through the Life Span: Intergenerational Issues in Health » Read Now
by May L. Wykle, Peter J. Whitehouse, Diana L. Morris. 214 pgs.

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6.

The Evolution of the Aging Self: The Societal Impact on the Aging Process » Read Now
by K. Warner Schaie, Jon Hendricks. 372 pgs.

Collections: Psychology, Entire Library

...Societal Impact on Aging Series Series Editor K. Warner Schaie...1993 Societal Impact on Aging: Historical Perspectives K...2000 The Evolution of the Aging Self: The...
7.

Adulthood and Aging: Research on Continuities and Discontinuities » Read Now
by Vern L. Bengtson. 391 pgs.

Collections: Psychology, Entire Library

...Adulthood and Aging Vern L. Bengtson, PhD, is AARP/University Chair in...of the life course, socialization, ethnicity,and aging. His publications include The Social...
8.

The Aging Individual: Physical and Psychological Perspectives » Read Now
by Susan Krauss Whitbourne. 332 pgs.

Collections: Psychology, Entire Library

...The Aging Individual Susan Krauss Whitbourne...clinical training and research activities. The Aging Individual Physical and Psychological...Cataloging-in-Publication Data...
9.

Aging in Good Health: Multidisciplinary Perspectives » Read Now
by Sue E. Levkoff, Yeon Kyung Chee, Shohei Noguchi. 352 pgs.

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...AGING IN GOOD HEALTH Multidisciplinary Perspectives Sue E...She is the former recipient of a National Institute on Aging Special Emphasis Research Career Award and...
10.

Behavior, Health, and Aging » Read Now
by Stephen B. Manuck, Richard Jennings, Bruce S. Rabin, Andrew Baum. 265 pgs.

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A dramatic shift in the average age of the U.S. population and the increasing number of elderly Americans has introduced new and challenging healthcare dilemmas. This book addresses these issues with contributed chapters by the leading authorities in the field of behavioral medicine. It deals with...
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A dramatic shift in the average age of the U.S. population and the increasing number of elderly Americans has introduced new and challenging healthcare dilemmas. This book addresses these issues with contributed chapters by the leading authorities in the field of behavioral medicine. It deals with health and healthcare needs of the elderly by considering basic changes that result from aging and some of the more specific problems that accompany it. Content highlights include a review of the basic tenets of genetics and molecular biology including some of the methods of looking at heritable differences in health and well-being. Quality of life concerns are addressed, including the differences between men and women, as well as other gender issues. Several chapters deal with the effects of aging on immunity. The latter part of the book emphasizes the psychosocial implications of aging on cardiovascular disease. Chronic illness among the elderly is also addressed.
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11.

Handbook on Ethical Issues in Aging » Read Now
by Tanya Fusco Johnson. 420 pgs.

Collections: Philosophy, Entire Library

Because long-term aging has created a "new generation" of older adults, some new issues are emerging which need to be addressed from an ethical perspective--elder abuse, physician assisted suicide, dementia, intergenerational equity, guardianship, and living wills. Johnson offers both a resource on...
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Because long-term aging has created a "new generation" of older adults, some new issues are emerging which need to be addressed from an ethical perspective--elder abuse, physician assisted suicide, dementia, intergenerational equity, guardianship, and living wills. Johnson offers both a resource on ethics and aging with a historical perspective and policy recommendations for the future with an ethical emphasis.
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12.

Handbook on Ethnicity, Aging, and Mental Health » Read Now
by Deborah K. Padgett. 376 pgs.

Collections: Psychology, Entire Library

This state-of-the-art, multi-disciplinary reference is the first to assess the empirical research and conceptual frameworks for understanding the mental health needs and services use of the ethnic elderly. Leading scholars, researchers, and clinicians in gerontology, epidemiology, psychiatry...
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This state-of-the-art, multi-disciplinary reference is the first to assess the empirical research and conceptual frameworks for understanding the mental health needs and services use of the ethnic elderly. Leading scholars, researchers, and clinicians in gerontology, epidemiology, psychiatry, psychology, sociology, anthropology, nursing, and social work appraise varying approaches, the demographics, the mental health status and service use of the ethnic elderly, and issues in the diagnosis, treatment, and mental health service delivery for the ethnic aged: for African Americans, American Indians, Asian and Pacific Islander Americans, and Hispanic/Latino Americans. This unique handbook is a valuable resource and text for students, teachers, and professionals in a broad array of fields and settings.
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13.

Communication and Aging » Read Now
by Jon F. Nussbaum, Loretta L. Pecchioni, James D. Robinson, Teresa L. Thompson. 368 pgs.

Collections: Entire Library

This text employs a communication perspective to examine the aging process and the ability of individuals to adapt successfully to aging. It continues the groundbreaking work of the first edition, emphasizing a life-span approach toward understanding the social interaction that occurs during later...
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This text employs a communication perspective to examine the aging process and the ability of individuals to adapt successfully to aging. It continues the groundbreaking work of the first edition, emphasizing a life-span approach toward understanding the social interaction that occurs during later life. The edition provides a comprehensive update on the existing and emerging research within communication and aging studies and considers such topics as notions of successful aging, positive and negative stereotypes toward older adults, and health communication issues. It raises awareness of the barriers facing elderly people in conversation and the importance such conversations have in elderly people's lives. The impact of nonrelational processes, such as hearing loss, are considered as they impact relationships with others and affect the ability to age successfully. The book is organized into 14 chapters. Each chapter is written so that the reader is presented with an exhaustive review of the pertinent and recent literature from the social sciences. As in the first edition, when the literature is empirically based, the communicative ramifications are then discussed. Readers of this volume will gain greater understanding of the importance of their communicative relationships and how significant they remain across the life span. Developed for students in communication, psychology, nursing, social gerontology, sociology, and related areas, Communication and Aging provides important insights on communication to all who are affected by the aging process.
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14.

The Handbook of Aging and Cognition » Read Now
by Fergus I. M. Craik, Timothy A. Salthouse. 755 pgs.

Collections: Psychology, Entire Library

...The Handbook of Aging and Cognition Second Edition The Handbook of Aging and Cognition Second Edition Edited by Fergus...Cataloging-in-Publication Data The handbook of...