Perspectives on aging vary greatly by culture, with Western societies often associating youthfulness with health and success. While aging is a natural process, it is linked to numerous health issues, driving scientific efforts to better understand its mechanisms. At the molecular level, aging results from the accumulation of cellular damage, leading to physical and cognitive decline, increased disease risk, and ultimately, death.
Researchers have long known that telomeres — the protective caps at the ends of chromosomes — play a key role in cellular aging. Each time a cell divides, telomeres shorten slightly. Factors like chronic stress, a sedentary lifestyle, and insufficient sleep can accelerate this process. Over time, telomeres become so short that they can no longer safeguard the DNA, leading to cellular dysfunction and aging.
A research team from Duke University and the University of California, San Francisco, recently studied the effects of hibernation and food deprivation in dwarf lemurs. Their findings, published in Biology Letters, suggest that these small primates can reverse cellular aging, offering potential insights for age-related disease research.
