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.
