Did you know that a new possible mechanism for aging was discovered? The research which unlocked this mechanism suggests that gene length may be a measure of aging. 

Study Summary

This new study, first completed in animal models, found that: 

• For humans and animals alike, genes that are longer in length are associated with a longer lifespan.
• Aging is associated with a shift towards short genes, leading to imbalanced gene activity in cells.

The researchers found that shorter genes may be beneficial for short-term survival in harsh conditions, but at the cost of a shorter overall lifespan. Despite the association, for optimal aging, there seems to be a need for a balance in the activity of both short and long genes.

The Hearty Take

There is a need for a greater understanding of what contributes to the shortening of genes. Additionally, there is a need for more treatments geared at slowing down or reversing the aging process. Discovering mechanisms of aging provides new targets for developing treatments to prevent aging!