News & Comment

Research Highlights, News & Views and Research Briefings are three article formats used in this journal to highlight primary research. We explain the shared and unique features of these formats and describe how we are starting to use artificial intelligence to help produce one of them.

Rapid progress in the development of novel biomarkers and lifestyle interventions and the emergence of the first disease-modifying therapy have revolutionized our approach to dementia diagnosis, prevention and therapy. In this Focus issue, Nature Aging presents a collection of reviews and opinion pieces on recent advances in dementia research.

The ovary is one of the first organs to functionally decline with age, leading to many deleterious consequences for health and well-being. A better understanding of ovarian aging through collaborative research and investments will play an important part in achieving healthy aging for all.

Despite widespread acknowledgment of the problem, and initiatives to address it, the underrepresentation of women in science remains a reality. Advancing toward equal representation requires conscious and sustained efforts. Here, we assess and reflect on the representation of women among the authors of commissioned content in Nature Aging.

Cancer is a disease of aging, but it is rarely studied in aged animal models and older adults are often insufficiently represented in cancer clinical trials. To further our understanding of cancer and find better treatments, more research is needed on the role of biological aging in cancer and clinical trials must enroll larger numbers of older patients.

Pre-submission inquiries are a means to quickly interact with journal editors to find a suitable outlet for a manuscript in preparation. To make the most out of these interactions, this Editorial outlines key points that should ideally be covered in a pre-submission inquiry.

It has been a year since Nature Aging published its first issue. We now reflect on this past year by highlighting some of the exciting content we have published. We also take this opportunity to share some of our experience in launching a journal during a pandemic and to extend our gratitude to the community.

As the end of 2021 approaches, Nature Aging’s editorial team reflects on our experience in the last two years of conferencing and introduces a calendar for conferences on aging and age-related diseases for 2022.

The knowledge generated through aging research has huge potential for improving individual lives and society. Embedding the principles of participant involvement and appropriate representation of the diversity of the aging population into this research can help to ensure that its intended benefits are fully realised.

The recent approval of a new drug for Alzheimer’s disease despite weak evidence of efficacy sent shockwaves throughout the scientific community. The approval leaves many open questions in its trail that must now be addressed.

Vaccine hesitancy has created a gap in COVID-19 vaccination status between residents and staff in long-term care settings. Closing that gap is essential to protect our most vulnerable populations and fulfill the duty of care they deserve.

The pandemic has highlighted the need for stronger intergenerational connections. Restarting intergenerational programs and expanding newer initiatives to connect people of different ages must be prioritized in debates about how society should progress post-pandemic.

The consequences of ageism have never been more apparent than in the context of a global pandemic. In this special issue on ageism, Nature Aging demonstrates its commitment to supporting efforts to combat ageism in all its forms.

We are excited to launch Nature Aging, a journal whose mission is to publish some of the most important and timely research from across the entire aging research spectrum and be a nexus for the diverse communities working on aging.