The fountain of youth may exist after all, as a study showed that
scientists have discovered means to extend the lifespan of mice and
primates.
The key to eternal -- or at least prolonged -- youth lies in genetic
manipulation that mimics the health benefits of reducing calorie intake,
suggesting that aging and age-related diseases can be treated.
Scientists from the Institute of Healthy Ageing at University College London (UCL) extended the lifespan of mice by up to a fifth and reduced the number of age-related diseases affecting the animals after they genetically manipulated them to block production of the S6 Kinase 1 (S6K1) protein.
Scientists have shown since the 1930s that reducing the calorie intake by 30 percent for rats, mice and -- in a more recent finding -- primates can extend their lifespan by 40 percent and have health benefits.
