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'Zombie' cells have scientists rethinking how we age — and what to do about it

Shortened telomeres have been linked to aging.
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Shortened telomeres have been linked to aging.

It's no secret that stress isn't good for you. But just how bad is it? Well, in the last few decades, scientists have linked psychological stress to changes in our DNA that look a lot like what happens on the molecular level as we age. Today on the show, host Regina G. Barber talks to freelance science journalist Diana Kwon about the latest research on stress and aging, including a new hypothesis for how your brain handles aging — and what science could do about all of it.

Read Diana's full piece HERE.

Interested in more aging science? Let us know at shortwave@npr.org.

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This episode was produced by Berly McCoy. It was edited by Rebecca Ramirez and fact-checked by Tyler Jones. Jimmy Keeley was the audio engineer.

Copyright 2025 NPR

Berly McCoy
Kimberly (Berly) McCoy (she/her) is an assistant producer for NPR's science podcast, Short Wave. The podcast tells stories about science and scientists, in all the forms they take.
Regina G. Barber
Regina G. Barber is Short Wave's Scientist in Residence. She contributes original reporting on STEM and guest hosts the show.
Rebecca Ramirez
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