"The Telltale Tails of Telomeres," pg. 6

The structure and function of genes change as we grow older. One controller of gene expression is the telomere, a long piece of DNA at the end of a chromosome that gets shorter as we age. Researchers think that stopping the shortening of telomeres may stop aging. One sidebar (pg. 9) describes a possible connection between telomeres and cancer. Another (pg. 10) presents an interview with two experts.

Inductive Reasoning, Cause and Effect

"The Spelling Bee at Hayflick Limit" (Activity), pg. 12

This activity illustrates how errors in DNA accumulate with each cell replication.

Following Directions, Drawing Conclusions

"Slowing the Clock," pg. 14

Scientists at the University of California, San Francisco, have manipulated genes to make nematodes live longer. The research might lead to treatments for age-related diseases in humans. Sidebars discuss a specific gene responsible for Huntington's disease (pg. 16) and one researcher's conclusions about diet and longevity (pg. 18).

Interpreting Data, Process Analysis

"Human Life Span: What Are the Limits?," pg. 20

Biodemographers (experts who analyze population statistics) disagree over the maximum life span possible for humans. Although past trends have favored longer life, childhood obesity today may cause life expectancy to decrease in the future.

Cause and Effect, Extrapolation

"Mind vs. Time: What's Ahead for the Aging Brain?," pg. 22

Extending the life span requires maintaining brain function. A healthy diet, regular exercise, and new challenges help the brain stay young.

Hypothesis Formation, Deductive Reasoning

"Do Happy People Live Longer?," pg. 25

Examining population data, scientists have found several correlations between disposition and life expectancy. Cheerfulness does not lengthen the life span, but conscientiousness does. Depression and stress lower life expectancy.

Inductive Reasoning, Data Interpretation

"Ice & Aliens" (Brain Strain), pg. 27

This puzzle challenges the reader to use change-of-state chemistry to solve a problem. Don't let the aliens get the best of you!

Following Directions, Cause and Effect

"One Family's Favorite Centenarian: Anna 'Nanie' Berger," pg. 28

A dedication to family, hard work, good health, and a positive philosophy characterizes many who reach their 100th birthday. If you have a special grandparent or great-grandparent in the family, let ODYSSEY^TM know.

Drawing Conclusions, Evaluation

"Numbers," pg. 30

This is a fantasy story about near-immortality and the world created to deal with it.

Characterization, Theme

"Deep Freeze," pg. 34

Cryopreservation uses liquid nitrogen to freeze human cells that can be revived later. The process preserves sperm cells and embryos, and it might be used in the future for cloning.

Process Analysis, Prediction

"Imagining a World of Immortals," pg. 36

What might life be like in a world where humans lived for a thousand years? Several possibilities are proposed, and readers are asked to respond.

Deductive Reasoning, Drawing Conclusions

"You CAN Live Forever (in Fiction, Anyway!)," pg. 38

Immortality is a great theme for science fiction novels, and a few contemporary titles are reviewed here. A sidebar (pg. 38) invites ODYSSEY^TM readers to write and submit their own, fanciful long-life stories.

Analysis, Creative Writing

"Zoom into Astronomy: Observing the Phases of Venus" (What's Up), pg. 40
With Mercury, Venus, Mars, and Saturn visible in the evening sky, only Jupiter requires an early morning wake-up call. While skywatching, keep a record of your views of Venus, documenting the phases of our planetary neighbor.
Observation, Following Directions

Think Tank: (Discussion Starters to Use Before Reading the Magazine):

1. Human life expectancy has increased steadily in the last millennium. Why? What factors cause an increase in life span? What can you predict for the future? Are there any factors that might cause the average life expectancy to decline?
2. Would you like to live forever? What would be the advantages and disadvantages of immortality? If you don't want to live forever, how long would you like? 100 years? 200? 1,000? Why?

Classroom "Syzygy": Talk, Connect, Assess

Pg. 6 -- "The Telltale Tails of Telomeres"

Talk It Over:

1. How does telomerase affect the rate of aging? What good and what harm might come from increasing telomerase production and slowing the shortening of telomeres?
2. What ethical or moral issues are associated with telomere research? How important are those issues? Can any of them be resolved so that society and the environment will not be harmed by research on aging?

Connections:

1. Mathematics: Each cell in the human body repairs between 30,000 and 70,000 "damage events" each day. Estimates of the total number of cells in the human body range from 10 trillion to 100 trillion. Use exponential notation to express ranges for the total number of cellular repairs made daily, weekly, and annually in the human body. (Answers: Daily, 3.0 x 10¹⁷ to 7.0 x 10¹⁸; Weekly, 2.1 x 10¹⁸ to 4.9 x 10¹⁹; Yearly, 1.1 x 10²⁰ to 2.6 x 10^21.)
2. Visual Arts: Using information from the article, make a poster that shows what telomeres are and what they do. Use labels to identify parts and arrows to show action.
3. Creative Writing: If the research described in this article changes life expectancy as dramatically as seems possible, perhaps your children will live very long lives. Write a diary entry from the point of view of your son or daughter celebrating a 1,000th birthday in the year 3025.

Student Assessment:

1. How might telomerase be used to fight AIDS? Write an informational essay clearly describing the process from telomerase production to HIV control.
2. Using a visual aid, explain to the class the connection between telomeres and cancer.

Pg. 22 -- "Mind vs. Time: What's Ahead for the Aging Brain?"

Talk It Over:

1. What causes brains to age? What symptoms can we expect when our brains begin to show their age? How can we prevent or minimize the negative effects of aging on our brains?
2. What is meant by "quality of life"? How does it relate to the aging of the brain? How should we react to declines in quality of life? Should laws protect individuals from others or from themselves when quality of life declines?

Connections:

1. Health: Alzheimer's is perhaps the best-known disease of the aging brain, but it is not the only one. In your library and on the Internet, find information about other brain disorders related to aging. Write a report about symptoms and treatments.
2. Sociology: Using what you know about maintaining the health of the aging brain, design a physical structure and a daily program schedule for a retirement community. Explain how each of the facilities and activities you incorporate in your design helps maintain brain health for residents.
3. Visual Arts: Imagine that you are the manager of a travel company. Design a brochure to advertise your company's "brain energizer" vacations. When you present your brochure, explain how each destination and activity promotes brain health.

Student Assessment:

1. Give a persuasive speech to convince a teen audience that a healthy lifestyle will extend life span and promote brain health.
2. Write a two-paragraph essay about the ideas of Aubrey de Grey. In the first paragraph, identify and describe his predictions. In the second, express your opinion on his ideas. Give reasons for your views.

Far Out!: Moving Beyond the Magazine (the "How old is oldest?" multiple choice, trivia edition)

How old was Bobo, the world's oldest monkey?

a. 27 years, b. 46 years, c. 53 years, d. 68 years

Large-Group Collaborative Project: Break the class into three or four groups. Assign an animal category (such as birds, insects, mammals, or reptiles) to each group. Challenge group members to find the expected life spans of individual species within each type. On a bulletin board, make one or more large bar graphs to compare life spans within and between animal categories.

How old was Rosanna Dalla Corte when she became the world's oldest mother?

a. 55 years, b. 63 years, c. 68 years, d. 71 years

Community Connection: Cryopreservation of sperm and other techniques are often used to help infertile couples have much-wanted children. Invite a doctor or nurse from a fertility clinic to speak to the class. Ask the speaker to explain techniques employed in the clinic.

How old was Granpa, the world's oldest cat?

a. 18 years, b. 27 years, c. 31 years, d. 34 years

Individual Project: Interview an elderly friend or relative. Ask about events in that person's life and what lessons the years have taught. Prepare your interview in a question-and-answer format to send to ODYSSEY^TM (see pg. 29).

How old is the world's oldest living thing (a creosote bush from the Mojave Desert)?

a. 8,500 years, b. 11,000 years, c. 12,000 years, d. 25,000 years

Small-Group Project: Organize the class into teams of two. Ask each pair to identify, research, and profile a person who became famous after the age of 50. In a class discussion of the profiles, try to identify traits common among senior celebrities.

(Trivia answers: c, b, d, c)