Ageing

Ageing

Average life expectancy has been rising for years: in industrialised countries it has doubled in the last 120 years for both men and women. The causes and consequences of this phenomenon are also a challenge for research.

Young woman kissing old woman on forehead

A study in Sweden shows: Many elderly people need intensive care in the year before they die more

The picture shows a collection of cells under the microscope.

Study on mice shows male-specific effects on health more

The image shows cells under the microscope that glow fluorescently.

Coenzyme Q distribution within the cell is regulated by mitochondria more

Puzzle pieces flying out of a mouth

New findings enable early diagnosis and individual therapy more

Two fruit flies sitting on a pill.

Studies in fruit flies reveal how the sex determines the responses to the anti-ageing drug rapamycin more

A building block for liver fitness in old age

Researchers discover cellular protection against epigenetic changes more

A laboratory bottle with the drug rapamycin

Brief exposure to rapamycin has the same anti-ageing effects as lifelong treatment more

Unravelling the mystery of parrot longevity

Bigger brains have led some species of parrot to live surprisingly long lives, new research shows more

Fewer antibody diversity as we age

Studies in African killifish reveal how the immune system ages more

The role of natural selection in ageing

Scientists are on the trail of the theory behind the evolution of aging
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Young woman kissing old woman on forehead

A study in Sweden shows: Many elderly people need intensive care in the year before they die more

Puzzle pieces flying out of a mouth

New findings enable early diagnosis and individual therapy more

Two fruit flies sitting on a pill.

Studies in fruit flies reveal how the sex determines the responses to the anti-ageing drug rapamycin more

Unravelling the mystery of parrot longevity

Bigger brains have led some species of parrot to live surprisingly long lives, new research shows more

Fewer antibody diversity as we age

Studies in African killifish reveal how the immune system ages more

Life expectancy decreased in most high-income countries

Biggest declines seen in Russia and the US more

Who are the unvaccinated?

Researchers analyzed the willingness of elder people in Europe and Israel to get vaccinated against Covid-19 more

Covid-19 influences life expectancy

Period life expectancy drops significantly due to pandemic more

"Proposing an increase in the retirement age is unpopular"

Professor Axel Börsch-Supan, Director at the Max Planck Institute for Social Law and Social Policy in Munich, is calling for a rethink of current public pension arrangements. He suggests linking the retirement age to life expectancy to keep the financial burden on the younger generation manageable. more

Why words become harder to remember as we get older

Researchers discover this is caused by certain networks in the brain more

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Scientific highlights 2020

Many publications by Max Planck scientists in 2020 were of great social relevance or met with a great media response. We have selected 13 articles to present you with an overview of some noteworthy research of the year more

How children influence the life expectancy of their parents

Does having children make us live longer? The numbers say yes, but the reasons are not yet understood. more

Nucleolus is a life expectancy predictor

Scientists discover that nucleolar size correlates with health and lifespan in organisms as diverse as roundworms, flies and humans more

A healthy lifestyle increases life expectancy by up to seven years

Maintaining a normal weight, not smoking, and drinking alcohol at moderatel levels add healthy years to life more

Women in East Germany will be more likely to die from smoking than those in West Germany

Max Planck researcher criticizes insufficient anti-smoking policies more

Gut bacteria affect ageing

The life expectancy of older fish is extended if their gut is colonized with the microorganisms of younger fish. more

In mice, dietary restrictions can lead to changes in lipid metabolism, thus increasing the animals' lifespans more

Genome-based diets maximise growth, fecundity, and lifespan

A new developed diet for fruit flies increases growth and fecundity without shortening life-span more

Older people make riskier choices than younger adults—and worse decisions more

Helping pays off: People who care for others live longer

Study investigates the relationship between caregiving and lifespan more

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