Aging Matters
This is the second of two parts on the history of evolutionary theory. Last week, I discussed the gene-eyed view of evolution that came to dominate evolutionary theory of the 20th century. In the 1960s, this view hardened into a dogma, and provoked a reaction, in recognition of the many cooperative networks in nature that … Read more
This is the first of two parts on the history of evolutionary theory. First came neo-Darwinism, popularized as the selfish gene. Genes are evolved to promote their own replication, and also copies of themselves that exist in relatives. In the 1970s, the theory was extended by George Price to deal rigorously with groups that may … Read more
My theme the last few weeks has been the signals that trigger the body’s self-destruction with age. The easiest to target are molecules that circulate in the blood. Last week, I covered a few that decrease in blood concentration as we age, and that cripple our defenses. This week, I’ll talk about signals that increase … Read more
Physical activity is one of the best things you can do for yourself, even if it didn’t increase your odds for a long and healthy life. For those who would like to be more active, the trick is to find activities that don’t feel like a chore, but that you enjoy for their own sake. … Read more