DWARF LEMURS COMBAT AGING DURING HIBERNATION BY REVERSING THEIR CELLULAR CLOCKS

Summary from the TLDR newsletter

The fat-tailed dwarf lemur, a hamster-sized primate from Madagascar, is the closest genetic relative to humans known to hibernate. They tend to live longer than expected given their size. New research shows that these small primates can reverse cellular aging. Telomeres in hibernating lemurs grow longer - the lengthening may serve as a protective mechanism against cell damage. Other mammals, including humans, have also exhibited telomere lengthening in response to extreme metabolic states. Understanding the mechanisms behind this phenomenon could pave the way for the development of novel treatments to slow or prevent age-related diseases.