Youtube Account: Dr Tony Hampton

This Tiny Animal May Hold the SECRET to Living Longer

This Tiny Animal May Hold the SECRET to Living Longer Why can a tiny bat live for decades when similarly sized mammals may live only a fraction as long? A fascinating new study published in Nature examined the genomes of eight closely related Myotis bat species and uncovered intriguing connections between longevity, viral defense, cancer suppression, immunity, and the way cells respond to DNA damage. Even more surprising, cells from a long-lived bat appeared willing to eliminate severely damaged cells rather than simply trying to repair everything. Could that help explain their extraordinary longevity? And could studying animals like bats eventually teach us something about extending human healthspan and lifespan? We don't know yet—and this study certainly doesn't prove that bat biolo…