Posted on 04/01/2010 4:46:05 PM PDT by decimon
LONDON (Reuters) – British scientists studying the genetics of aging said on Thursday that experiments on laboratory worms showed that a specific gene is strongly linked to lifespan, immunity and disease resistance.
Since the gene, called DAF-16 in worms, is found in many animals and in humans, the finding could open up new ways to affect aging, immunity and resistance in humans, the scientists said.
"We wanted to find out how normal aging is being governed by genes and what effect these genes have on other traits, such as immunity," said Robin May of the University of Birmingham, who led the study.
Populations across the world are aging at a staggering pace, posing potentially big challenges for health and social care systems. A study by Danish scientists last year found that half of babies born in the rich world today will live to celebrate their 100th birthdays.
Scientists are keen to find out how people age to try to develop drugs to help them stay healthier as their lives extend.
"What we have found is that things like resistance and aging tend to go hand in hand," May said in an interview.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.yahoo.com ...
I guess I’d best turn in the mountain bike for a walker, just in the event the pace accelerates further. I’m way too young to retire, but ya never know... if things keep speeding up, I might have to draw what’s left of social security by the end of spring. Damn, I’m feeling older every minute now. I don’t know how long I can keep typing, what with the rheumatism and such. I’d hoped I could have gotten the kid past junior high.
Sigh.
Guess I’ll go eat worms.
... or lift one for Chet and David. Ya, you’re old enough to have forgotten them.
You do that just to irritate people. ;)
I’m still trying to recover from racing with grandsons Saturday. Must have gone too fast there and burned up several months.
The only “fast lane” Tork has in his burg is Fourth and Fifth Streets, and the speed limit is 30. I know what he’s got hidden in his barn though. If he got a wild hare, he could really rip it up. Pictures at ten...
Ya, my kids do that to me too... I’m doomed.
Good night Chet...Good night David...
That’s what I figured. Don’t know any old racers that actually slow down. :)
Don’t know if it was so much the speeds as it was grandson acting like he was at Bristol.
The boy’s watched too much short track racing!
My grandson hit me up yesterday for a donation to a fund to finance his purchase of a TIG welder. He told me it was cheaper then posting bail and hiring a defense attorney for him.
I think he has a valid point. :)
Thanks for the ping!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.