Science

erronis

(20,770 posts) Tue Jul 29, 2025, 12:15 PM Tuesday

Wasps may hold the secret to slowing down the aging process

https://phys.org/news/2025-07-wasps-secret-aging.html

Scientists have discovered that jewel wasps can slow down their biological rate of aging. Their study of jewel wasps, known for their distinctive metallic colors, has shown that they can undergo a kind of natural "time-out" as larvae before emerging into adulthood with this surprising advantage.

The research by scientists at the University of Leicester has now been published in the journal, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. It reveals that this pause in development within the wasp dramatically extends lifespan and decelerates the ticking of the so-called "epigenetic clock" that marks molecular aging.

Aging isn't just about counting birthdays, it's also a biological process that leaves molecular fingerprints on our DNA. One of the most accurate markers of this process is the epigenetic clock, which tracks chemical changes in DNA, known as methylation, that accumulate with age. But what happens if we alter the course of development itself?

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Wasps may hold the secret to slowing down the aging process (Original Post) erronis Tuesday OP

Epigenetics is the next big key. It's the reason why one identical twin gets cancer and the other doesn't Bernardo de La Paz Tuesday #1

Old news. Roger Corman documented that in 1959. blm Tuesday #2

The Wasp Woman blm Tuesday #3

This was known several years ago by the women who frequent Merde-a-Lardo. With typical MAGAt misunderstanding of jls4561 Tuesday #4

Or naked mole rats Warpy Tuesday #5

That's really interesting. Perhaps their social structure has led them to develop this capability. erronis Tuesday #6

Bernardo de La Paz

(57,324 posts)

1. Epigenetics is the next big key. It's the reason why one identical twin gets cancer and the other doesn't

Reply to erronis (Original post)

Tue Jul 29, 2025, 12:20 PM

Tuesday

Epigenetics protects the DNA, but it can get damaged.

blm

(114,256 posts)

2. Old news. Roger Corman documented that in 1959.

Reply to erronis (Original post)

Tue Jul 29, 2025, 12:41 PM

Tuesday

😎

blm

(114,256 posts)

3. The Wasp Woman

Reply to blm (Reply #2)

Tue Jul 29, 2025, 12:45 PM

Tuesday

jls4561

(2,523 posts)

4. This was known several years ago by the women who frequent Merde-a-Lardo. With typical MAGAt misunderstanding of

Reply to erronis (Original post)

Tue Jul 29, 2025, 02:15 PM

Tuesday

science, they began plunging their faces into wasp’s nests.

You can see the results if you have a strong enough stomach to google Laura Loomer.

Warpy

(113,746 posts)

5. Or naked mole rats

Reply to erronis (Original post)

Tue Jul 29, 2025, 07:20 PM

Tuesday

that aren't moles or rats or even all that naked. They're mouse sized critters that live in tunnels and burrows. They can live up to 20 years, astonishing for a mouse sized critter most closely related to the Guinea pig, they don't display any of the signs of aging, and they are extremely resistant to pain. They are not pretty, at all, except maybe to other naked mole rats, but who cares? They live in the dark.

Their colonies are organized a lot like insect colonies, with one female as the designated breeder along with boy toys du jour. The rest are soldiers, diggers, cleaners, and harvesters. Everybody shares equally when it's time to eat, there is no hierarchy of prestige.

Not having to get old and no aches or pains if I do? I think I've found my next incarnation.

erronis

(20,770 posts)

6. That's really interesting. Perhaps their social structure has led them to develop this capability.

Reply to Warpy (Reply #5)

Tue Jul 29, 2025, 07:52 PM

Tuesday

One of my relatives is a rather well-known etymologist who studied this type of social organization and coined 'eusocial' - which came to be a term in the lexicon.

On looking up eusociality in Wikipedia, I see the mole-rats, and her primary subject, Halactid bees.

Life is fun, but I'm not sure I want to risk another incarnation!

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