Jewel wasp diapause extends lifespan and slows the epigenetic clock
A study of jewel wasps, invertebrates used as research animals, linked diapause, a pause in development, to a longer adult lifespan and a slower epigenetic clock.
Source: Jewel wasp diapause extends lifespan and slows epigenetic ageing in study (x.com). Summary written with AI from the source and reviewed by rules; read the original.
What the research shows
The study, according to the article linked to the University of Leicester, was carried out on jewel wasps. The researchers found that diapause, a pause in development, extended adult lifespan by more than a third and slowed the epigenetic clock by 29%. These results come from animals, not people.
According to the article, the pace of ageing in an invertebrate can be adjusted during development. This kind of basic research helps explain general ageing mechanisms, but it is not a human treatment and does not show that the same happens in people. Epigenetic clocks are estimates of biological age, and their meaning for human health remains an open question.
What it means
The research suggests that the pace of ageing in an insect can change during development. It is not yet known whether similar mechanisms exist in humans, or how they would work.
How to read it with care
A result from animal research does not replace a medical consultation. Anyone considering changes to diet, supplements or treatment should talk to a doctor or another qualified professional.