aging

Cannabis plants.

Marijuana could give a cognitive boost to older brains

Older mouse brains, that is — but researchers hope that the findings could someday help elderly humans.

Marijuana could give a cognitive boost to older brains

Patricia Marx Wants You to Be Less Stupid

Patricia Marx Wants You to Be Less Stupid
Japanese Yasutaro Koide, 112, receives the Guinness World Records certificate as he is formally recognized as the world's oldest man. He lives in a nursing home in Nagoya, in central Japan.

Japan is home to the world's oldest population — and the world's oldest man

Japan is home to the world's oldest population — and the world's oldest man
Aging

'The first person to live to 150 has already been born.'

'The first person to live to 150 has already been born.'
Lucy Oliveira of the New Bedford Immigrants' Assistance Center sits with 86-year-old Margarida Xavier, who moved to the US from Portugal in the 1960s. Oliveira visits Xavier's home every month and often helps Xavier read her mail.

Some Portuguese immigrants feel isolated as they grow old in their adopted home

Some Portuguese immigrants feel isolated as they grow old in their adopted home
Nose

What your sense of smell tells you about your health

When you go to the doctor you may get an eye test or a hearing test — but you never get a smell test. A new study from researchers at the University of Chicago may change that.

What your sense of smell tells you about your health
White mouse

Researchers may have found the fountain of youth — for mice

When researchers gave old mice the blood of young mice, it seemed to kickstart their brains, boosting their ability to learn and remember, and strengthening their muscles. Would a similar thing ever work in humans? It's too soon to say, really, but scientists are working on it.

Researchers may have found the fountain of youth — for mice

Checking for Word on Nelson Mandela

Ntshepeng Motema is a South African living in New York. In this radio essay, she talks about how she's been spending a lot of time online checking for news on the health of South Africa's ailing former president, Nelson Mandela.

Checking for Word on Nelson Mandela

Pope Benedict XVI Resigns

Pope Benedict XVI has announced that he is to step down at the end of February because of his frail health. Anchor Marco Werman speaks with Rome correspondent Megan Williams about reaction to the surprise announcement.

Pope Benedict XVI Resigns

A Greek Island of Longevity

For today's Geo Quiz we explore the secret to longevity on a Greek island in the Aegean Sea where residents live, on average, longer than in Europe or the US. The BBC's Andrew Bomford travelled to island of old age to find out the secret.

A Greek Island of Longevity
The World

'A Dialogue With Time': An Exhibit About What is Feels Like to Get Old

An Israeli children's museum has opened what the world's first museum exhibit simulating what it is like to get old.

'A Dialogue With Time': An Exhibit About What is Feels Like to Get Old

Life Expectancy: The Grandfather Effect

A study conducted in the Philippines raises an interesting possibility: your lifespan could be influences by how old your grandfather was when your father was born.

Life Expectancy: The Grandfather Effect

Building A Haven In Spain For Gay Retirees

Some gay and lesbian Spaniards are trying to open Spain's first gay-friendly retirement home. They're doing it at a time when the new conservative government is trying to roll back gay rights legislation.

Building A Haven In Spain For Gay Retirees
The World

Graying of the Peace Corps

With the Peace Corps turning 50 this year, reporter Megan Verlee found it's trying to woo more volunteers its own age.

Graying of the Peace Corps

Inside Japan's Nuclear Exclusion Zone

A rare visit to the Fukushima exclusion zone, six months after the beginning of Japan's nuclear crisis.

Inside Japan's Nuclear Exclusion Zone