New Atlas

Biology Audio available

Intriguing new study finds molecular target to slow aging in worm neurons

Michael Irving January 2, 2019

Researchers at the University of Michigan may have found a way to slow aging – in worms at least. The team has identified a molecule in neurons that, when blocked, improves motor function in older worms and increases their lifespan and general health. Similar pathways might be at work in humans too.

Researchers at the University of Michigan have found a molecule that may be a potential target ...

Biology

Common antibiotic may help prevent Alzheimer's and boost lifespan

Michael Irving November 28, 2018

Scientists have discovered that a common antibiotic seems to help prevent the protein build-up associated with neurodegenerative diseases. The researchers found that roundworms treated with the drug minocycline had less protein aggregation in their cells and subsequently lived longer.

A commonly-used antibiotic may help clear out the protein build-up associated with various neurodegenerative diseases

Health & Wellbeing Audio available

Anti-aging drug cocktail teases significant lifespan extension in early experiments

Rich Haridy October 22, 2018

Research has found that a novel drug cocktail almost doubled the lifespan of a microscopic worm, the largest drug-induced lifespan extension in an animal ever reported. The study suggests that pharmacological intervention to help us live longer could be a realistic proposition.

The microscopic C. elegans worms, often used in anti-aging studies, had their lifespan almost doubled after ...

Health & Wellbeing Audio available

Study suggests moderate carbohydrate intake is ideal for a longer life

Rich Haridy August 19, 2018

Research is suggesting diets both low and high in carbohydrates can be associated with a higher risk of early mortality. It's suggested moderate consumption of carbs is the ideal long-term proposition but low-carb diets can be improved if proteins & fats are coming from plant and not animal sources.

A new study suggests low-carb diets high in animal fats and proteins can increase mortality risks

Biology

Gut bacteria-altering herbs and probiotics extend lifespan of fruit flies by 60 percent

Rich Haridy May 31, 2018

A team has successfully developed a combination of herbal supplements and probiotics that can prolong the longevity of fruit flies by 60 percent. The technique is one of the first to successfully show a treatment that modulates the gut microbiome can result in potent lifespan-extending effects.

A novel formulation combining probiotics with an ancient Indian herbal supplement has significantly extended the lifespan ...

Biology

Caloric restriction increased lemur lifespan by 50% in long-term study

Michael Irving April 9, 2018

Studies have shown that caloric restriction can drastically increase the lifespan of a range of animals. On the path to determining whether humans could benefit from the same lifestyle, a 10-year study on lemurs has now found that animals on the diet lived almost 50 percent longer than usual.

French researchers have found that caloric restriction increased the lifespan of mouse lemurs by 50 percent

Biology

"Axis of aging" mechanism uncovered in worms

Michael Irving February 28, 2018

C. elegans is a pretty unassuming worm, but its simplicity makes it a great model to study biological processes. Researchers at the University of Michigan have now uncovered how the worm’s brain and gut communicate with each other to coordinate aging throughout the body.

An "axis of aging" mechanism has been uncovered in the worm species C. elegans, seen here ...

Biology

Life-extending protein could keep us healthier for longer

Michael Irving January 29, 2018

Rather than focusing on a longer lifespan, it’s a better to improve our “healthspan,” the time we can enjoy good health. A new study from Brown University has linked the protein Sirt4 with an extended healthy lifespan in fruit flies, and the find may carry across to humans.

Brown University researchers have identified a protein that can increase the healthy lifespan of fruit flies, ...

Biology

All downhill from here: Has the human race peaked?

Darren Quick December 10, 2017

The human body obviously has biological limits, with a review of 120 years of historical records now suggesting they may have already been reached in terms of life expectancy, height and sporting performance – and if we aren't careful they could start going backwards.

A study of 120 years worth of historical data suggest we've reached the biological limits of ...

Biology

17 new genetic variants linked to a longer lifespan discovered

Rich Haridy December 7, 2017

A study looking at genetic correlations among people with long-living parents has more than tripled the number of genetic variants associated with a longer lifespan and unexpectedly revealed potential gender-specific genetic pathways to a longer life.

Seventeen new genetic variants linked to a longer lifespan have been identified in a new large-scale ...