human aging

Two new scientific papers argue that aging in humans is driven by cells progressively losing their identity — the specialised state that defines what each cell type does. Eric Topol reviews the findings, which point to a common mechanism underlying age-related decline and could reshape how researchers approach treatments aimed at slowing or reversing aging.

Marginal Revolution is asking whether elderly people would rather receive care from robots than from humans, a question gaining weight as populations age and caregiver shortages widen. The debate touches on whether automation can ease labor shortages in elder care without sacrificing dignity or human contact, and whether older adults themselves welcome robotic assistance at home or in care facilities.

Stephen Wolfram has published an essay examining what artificial intelligence means for the future of pure mathematics research. The piece considers whether AI systems will transform how mathematical discoveries are made, and what role human mathematicians will play as machine-assisted tools advance. Readers are sharing and debating the arguments as the question of AI's impact on theoretical science gains urgency.

Discussion is building around exoskeleton technology and its arrival as a practical, everyday tool. Commenters are framing current developments as the start of an era in which powered or passive exoskeletons move beyond medical and industrial niches into broader use, with implications for work, mobility and human capability.

Ioanna Kucuradi, the Turkish philosopher best known for her work on human rights and philosophy's practical application to human problems, has died at the age of 90. Kucuradi founded the Philosophical Society of Turkey and served as president of the International Federation of Philosophical Societies, becoming a leading voice in human rights education and theory. The news is being reported widely, with tributes highlighting her decades-long influence on philosophy and human rights scholarship.

Catholic education leaders are weighing how schools should respond to the rise of artificial intelligence, arguing that the more technology enters classrooms, the more important human relationships and moral formation become. The message — that 'with high-tech, we need to be deeply human' — frames AI as a challenge that should deepen, not replace, the personal and spiritual dimension of education.

Nobel Prize-winning biologist Venki Ramakrishnan has given an interview with India Currents discussing longevity science, what he calls arrogance in the tech industry, and the current frontiers of biological research. The chemist, known for his work on the ribosome, shares his views on whether humans can realistically extend lifespan and where biology is heading next.

Milt Windler, the NASA flight director best known for his role in bringing the crew of Apollo 13 safely home after the 1970 in-flight explosion, has died at the age of 94. Windler was one of four flight directors who led Mission Control's response to the crisis. Readers are remembering him as a key figure in NASA's golden era of human spaceflight.

María Branyas Morera, the world's oldest person, died in Spain at 117. Scientists who examined her body after her death reported surprising findings in her cells, offering possible clues about extreme longevity and healthy ageing. The case is drawing attention for what it may reveal about how some people age slowly despite advanced years.

The Los Angeles Review of Books has published an essay titled 'Nonpredictive Texts', drawing attention in literary circles. The piece appears to engage with questions around language, writing, and prediction in the age of generative AI, a theme that has become central to debates about authorship and machine-generated text. Readers of literary criticism are weighing in on how such work reframes the relationship between human and automated writing.

Peer Bork, a leading figure in computational biology known for mapping molecular interaction networks and advancing large-scale analysis of genomes and microbial communities, has died at the age of 62. The death was reported by science news outlet Bioengineer.org. Bork's work shaped how researchers study biological systems and the human microbiome, prompting tributes from across the life sciences community.

Time magazine has published a feature examining how artificial intelligence is reshaping human experiences of awe. The piece reflects a growing debate about whether machines capable of producing astonishing art, science and conversation deepen or diminish our sense of wonder, and what it means for human creativity and meaning when technology can evoke the emotions once reserved for nature, art and discovery.

New research indicates the human immune system does not decline gradually with age but instead shifts in two distinct waves, around ages 40 and 65. Scientists link these transitions to changes in immune cell composition that may affect susceptibility to disease as people get older. The findings are drawing attention as they could reshape thinking on healthy aging, disease risk and the timing of preventive care.

A new article explores whether Earth's magnetic field may play a hidden role in biological ageing. The piece discusses research into how geomagnetism could interact with living organisms, potentially affecting ageing processes. The claim is generating curiosity, with readers debating whether there is solid evidence behind the idea or whether it remains speculative science.

Researchers report finding a biological 'switch' that could potentially extend lifespans. The discovery centers on AMPK, an ancient enzyme that helps cells survive when energy levels are low. By activating this mechanism, scientists believe it may be possible to slow aging processes, though the finding is at an early stage and human applications remain unproven.

Basil Fernando, one of Asia's foremost human rights defenders, has died at the age of 81. The Sri Lankan lawyer and writer spent decades documenting rights abuses and advocating for judicial reform and police accountability across the region, notably through the Asian Human Rights Commission in Hong Kong. Tributes from rights groups have highlighted his lifelong commitment to justice and the lasting influence of his work on human rights movements in Asia.

Technology Review's weekday newsletter leads with a new biological de-aging contest, in which competitors race to reverse biological age, alongside an examination of why large language models do not genuinely reason. The pairing highlights ongoing debate over longevity science and the limits of current AI systems, both prominent topics in tech circles.