comprehensive -WSS

comprehensive

author：entertainment 2025-08-25 07:30:05 - browse：7

A crowd of miniature figurines facing towards an hourglass. -- cancer coverage from STAT — Adobe

It’s no secret that a lucky few seem to glide into old age, the years settling gracefully on their bodies, while others appear to have been dragged through time tied to a metaphorical garbage truck. Biologists have been developing numerous ways to measure the rate an individual ages — often called an accelerated or decelerated “biological age” — and trying to translate it into a heightened or reduced risk of the morbidity and mortality that comes with aging.

There’s been a proliferation of various biological aging clocks, mathematical models that look at things like genetic markers or proteins in your body to make some estimation of an individual’s biological age. Research interest in using these clocks has exploded. In the last five years, thousands of papers on or incorporating the clocks have been published. The paper describing one popular biological aging clock, PhenoAge, has over 1,800 citations alone. One recent study suggested that a reason cancer incidence is increasing among younger adults may be accelerated aging, based on this particular clock.

But as scientists use these clocks to associate biological age with specific health risks, like cancer or dementia, and numerous companies eagerly offer biological age measurements in exchange for hundreds of bucks, it may be worth noting that experts don’t agree on what “biological age” actually is.

STAT+ Exclusive Story

Already have an account? Log in

This article is exclusive to STAT+ subscribers

Unlock this article — plus in-depth analysis, newsletters, premium events, and networking platform access.

Already have an account? Log in

Monthly

$39

Totals $468 per year

$39/month Get Started

Totals $468 per year

Starter

$30

for 3 months, then $39/month

$30 for 3 months Get Started

Then $39/month

Annual

$399

Save 15%

$399/year Get Started

Save 15%

11+ Users

Custom

Savings start at 25%!

Request A Quote Request A Quote

Savings start at 25%!

2-10 Users

$300

Annually per user

$300/year Get Started

$300 Annually per user

View All Plans

Get unlimited access to award-winning journalism and exclusive events.

Subscribe Log In

Previous article： Medical leaders decry Supreme Court decision on affirmative action
Next article： Solve the antibiotic resistance crisis with preventive drugs

focus

WSS

Peter Marks talks Operation Warp Speed for Rare Diseases

STAT Summit: Michael J. Fox on progress in Parkinson's research

First Opinion Podcast: Long Covid needs a new approach

Researchers explore possible ties between long Covid, menopause

Senate committee scrutinizes Medicare Advantage brokers

Humana CEO Bruce Broussard to step down in 2024

entertainment

comprehensive

This article is exclusive to STAT+ subscribers

Unlock this article — plus in-depth analysis, newsletters, premium events, and networking platform access.

hotspot

After affirmative action ruling, medical educators look to 'holistic review'

STAT Readout Newsletter: Today's biggest biotech updates

Medicare proposal to cover medical devices draws a mixed reaction

HHS leader on health, climate change and biopharma emissions

Bright Health sells Medicare Advantage business to Molina

Eight reasons why you should get an updated Covid vaccine

Continuity nursing helped my family in our darkest PICU moments

HHS leader on health, climate change and biopharma emissions

George Santos makes 1st court appearance after pleading not guilty to 13 counts

Researchers explore possible ties between long Covid, menopause

focus

Senate committee scrutinizes Medicare Advantage brokers

FDA struggles to regulate food additives, sometimes for decades

Studies point to risks of excluding people with obesity from drug trials

Peter Marks talks Operation Warp Speed for Rare Diseases

Nick Jonas talks about managing diabetes along with his career

FDA struggles to regulate food additives, sometimes for decades

focus

focus

hotspot

Wikipedia