Altered Mouse Turns 136 in Human Years

AP Science via Yahoo ^ | April 12, 2004 | Anon AP Science Stringer

[Pharmboy]

ANN ARBOR, Mich. - A dwarf mouse named Yoda has celebrated his fourth birthday, making him the oldest of his kind and far beyond 100 in human years, the University of Michigan Medical School says.

Yoda owes his longevity to genetic modifications that affected his pituitary and thyroid glands and reduced insulin production — and which left him a third smaller than an average mouse and very sensitive to cold.

On the other hand, at the human equivalent of about 136 years, Yoda is still mobile, sexually active and "looking good," said Dr. Richard A. Miller, associate director of research at the school's geriatrics center.

Yoda lives in a carefully maintained lab with roughly 100 other male geriatric mice being used for a lifespan study. An average lab mouse lives slightly more than two years.

Yoda's cage mate, Princess Leia, is a much larger female who uses her body warmth to keep the dwarf mouse from freezing to death.

Researchers are studying the genetic mutants to determine how altered hormone levels can slow the aging process, with the hope of figuring out which methods, if any, eventually could be applied to humans.

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[Barnacle]

The big problem I see with this is that after 136 birthdays, what do you buy a mouse that it doesn't already have?

[Sacajaweau]

Sensitive to cold?? Ah, yes...the shrinkage factor!!

[Barnacle]

I'm 87 and don't need Viagra...

You would if you remembered what it was for.

?;^T

Sincerely though, if you're 87 and Freepin', you have my admiration.

[Mad_Tom_Rackham]

To Princess Leia, size doesn't matter.

Ol' Yoda must have his "techniques" down. And maybe he listens well. And "spooning" is a plus. LOL!

[Barnacle]

There's just something wrong about a lady of that age waiting tables...I felt guilty, like I was supposed to get up and help Grandma with that tray....

There was an ancient lady in my home town. She'd be outside on summer days pushing a unpowered rotary lawn mower. I used to pity her until one day I noticed the determined look in her face as she mowed. It then occurred to me that that was what kept her alive.

[tom paine 2]

If I see another commercial for hard-on medicine i'm gonna puke. What's the matter ? have we got a nation of limpys or are we just that obsessed with sex? How about gardening or fishing occasionally?

[nuconvert]

LOL!

[nuconvert]

"How about gardening or fishing occasionally?"

Yeah! How 'bout it??

[Mad_Tom_Rackham]

"Hey baby! Wanna do the wild thing again? It's only been seventy five times today."

[djf]

Passwater has reported some extraordinary results of giving CoQ-10 to mice. Including mice living to about 120 human years.

[Iberian]

Hey, Mickey is not dead yet!! (;)

[KnutCase]

My memory is intact and a long list of ladies can vouch for the statement that I DON'T need Viagra. I rest my case.

[Slings and Arrows]

He has VERY little paws, too.

It's not the size of the paws, it's how you scamper.

[Slings and Arrows]

She has a startled look on her face...

Post #29 explains that.

[Hildy]

It is! It's Mr. Jingles!

[Bellflower]

Sounds like you need to repent. At your age you ought to be thinking about where you are going to spend eternity. No Kidding!

[birbear]

Look at me, judge me, by size do you? And well you should not, for my ally is reduced insulin production and genetic changes to my pituitary and thyroid glands. ANd a powerful ally it is.

ROTFLMAO!!!!! My ribs are so sore after laughing from that...

[Slings and Arrows]

The big problem I see with this is that after 136 birthdays, what do you buy a mouse that it doesn't already have?

Storage space.

[garjog]

I bet these researchers are Democrats. Dwarfs, cold blooded, like to snuggle up to large women and have sex often and into old age. Forget a donkey. Yoda is the perfect RAT mascot.

[Hoosier-Daddy]

Probably with 72 post-menopausal virgins, hehe!