Summary
Scientists have discovered that naked mole rats have a unique way of repairing their DNA, which might explain why they live longer than other rodents. This finding, published in the journal Science, shows that a protein involved in DNA repair works differently in these animals, helping them avoid age-related diseases.
Key Facts
- Naked mole rats can live up to 40 years, far longer than most other rodents.
- These animals resist many age-related diseases like cancer and arthritis.
- Researchers from Tonji University in Shanghai studied the mole rats' DNA repair process.
- A protein called c-GAS helps repair DNA in mole rats, but it slows down the repair in humans.
- Scientists believe that understanding this process might help improve human health.
- The study raises questions about how evolution can change a protein's function over time.
- This research is part of a broader effort to find ways to extend human lifespan.
