Sage Crossroads

Mass as Medicine? - Studies have linked participation in religious activities with long lives, but not everyone stands convinced.

Polypills for the People - A tablet combining six drugs could avert deaths from heart disease and stroke, but some experts balk at the notion of putting prevention in a pill, particularly when similar benefits could be attained from a healthy diet.

No Really, It's for My Health. - Cosmetic surgery can help people look younger, but youthful looks alone might not improve longevity.

Alternative Medicine Under the Microscope. - As millions of Americans turn to alternative therapies for aging-related conditions, scientists are holding these treatments up to increased scrutiny.

A Longer Walk Into the Sunset. - Americans are living longer than ever before, but experts are split on whether the trend will continue--an issue that has important implications for how seniors and society plan for retirement.

Putting Professors Out to Pasture. - Many investigators working to extend human longevity find themselves bumping up against another kind of mortality--a mandated end to their working lives. But as human life spans continue to rise, researchers say that the rules regarding retirement must keep pace.

Trickle-Down Theory Challenged. - Funds spent chasing a cure for Alzheimer's disease (AD) will advance the field of aging as a whole--at least according to proponents of AD research. Others aren't convinced, and they argue that more money should be funneled directly into basic research on aging.

Striding, Not Stumbling, Down Life's Fabled Hill. - Falls seriously harm or kill thousands of seniors each year, yet health care professionals have been slow to adopt programs that can prevent such tumbles.

Dying of Old Age an Old Wives Tale? - Many people die at an advanced age--but does that mean that old age kills? Researchers are beginning to think that time can be toxic because aging makes us more vulnerable to disease.

Villain or Victim? - Cells accumulate damage with age. But are these molecular injuries a byproduct of the passing years, or do they drive the aging process?

A Walk a Day Keeps The Brain Ok - New research suggests that moderate exercise can keep brains sharp and focused.

From Clinical Trials to Clinical Practice - In the age of information, patients expect doctors to make treatment decisions based on the most current evidence available, but experience shows that doctors don't adopt lessons from clinical trials nearly as quickly as they could.