This week, I'm filling in for one of the Guardian's science correspondents (the excellent Alok Jha), and I've been asked to cover a few stories that I would otherwise do here. So, let me direct you to the Guardian website where you'll find the two pieces I filed today. Worms can inherit a 'memory of longevity' from long-lived parents
Long-lived worms can transmit their extended lifespan to the next generation by passing on changes in the way their genes are used, rather than differences in DNA itself. A study has shown that nematode worms can inherit a "memory of longevity" from their parents, even though their genome remains unchanged. It is not clear if the same processes apply to humans, but Anne Brunet from Stanford University, who led the study, noted that some genes that affect the lifespan of nematodes were later found to influence human longevity too. "In several ...
