It is often said that older adults have better developed relationship skills, and as one ages it becomes easier to tolerate a friend’s imperfections and value new connections. But as life goes on, the difficulty of making new friends and acquaintances increases. Many people develop a friend set that they cherish through middle age, but become distant with during their senior years. This phenomenon can actually lead to significant health problems, as outlined by new research.

A study conducted at the University of California followed 1,600 participants with an average age of 71. They found that those who reported loneliness had a higher mortality rate than those that didn’t. Social isolation and loneliness also results in a higher risk of depression, cognitive diseases such as Alzheimer’s, and other illnesses such as coronary artery disease.

There is strong evidence to show that elders who are more social and who make an effort to forge new friendships often live more enjoyable lives than those who do not. To read the full article, visit the New York Time’s website here.

An experimental therapy being developed for diabetes may completely change the way patients treat both Type 1 and Type 2 variants of the disease. This treatment was originally tested on mice, and involves implanting genetically engineered cells under the skin. These cells automatically release insulin as required by the body. Mice that were treated using this method were found to have normal blood sugar levels for several weeks during evaluation.

Scientists hope to obtain a clinical trial license to test this new technology on patients within the next 2 years. “By 2040, every tenth human on the planet will suffer from some kind of diabetes, that’s dramatic. We should be able to do a lot better than people measuring their glucose,” says Martin Fussenegger, lead researcher. If this treatment is confirmed to be both effective and safe in humans, patients could be given an implant that would only have to be replaced 3 times per year. This implant could also control blood sugar levels more effectively than regular injections.

To read more about this experimental treatment, click here.