All articles tagged with #telomeres
Regular exercise can modulate all 14 hallmarks of ageing identified in a scientific review, improving genome stability, telomere maintenance, epigenetic regulation, proteostasis, autophagy, mitochondria, intercellular communication and inflammation among others; the lifestyle benefits are echoed by findings that 7,000 daily steps cut all-cause mortality by ~47% and strength training may add up to four years of life.
Therapeutic inhibition of telomeric DNA damage response using telomeric antisense oligonucleotides (tASO) suppresses tDDR signaling in telomerase-deficient mice and physiologically aged mice, reducing cellular senescence and inflammation, restoring hematopoietic tissue architecture, enhancing hematopoietic stem/progenitor cell quiescence and fitness, and improving in vivo repopulation and humoral immune responses; ex vivo human aged CD34+ HSPCs also show improved clonogenic potential. Telomere length is unchanged, indicating relief of dysfunction via tDDR blockade rather than telomere elongation, suggesting tDDR inhibition as a therapeutic strategy for telomere biology disorders and age-related hematopoietic aging.
NASA's year-long twin study found spaceflight caused lasting genetic and physiological changes: about 7% of Scott Kelly's gene expression changed during flight, telomeres lengthened then shortened after return, and cognitive abilities declined; six months later, 811 genes remained differently expressed, underscoring potential safety needs for long missions and the need for more subjects to generalize results.
NASA’s Scott–Mark Kelly twin study found no DNA sequence changes from a 340‑day mission, but about 7% of Scott’s gene expression remained dysregulated six months after landing. Telomeres lengthened in space and then shortened to below baseline upon return. Cognitive performance stayed slower for months; immune function, DNA repair, bone formation, hypoxia response, and mitochondrial pathways were affected, and liver metabolism shifted, suggesting spaceflight perturbs an interconnected biological network with lasting effects for future long-duration missions.
Researchers uncovered a two-part genetic strategy used by melanoma cells to bypass cellular aging: mutations that boost telomerase production via TERT and concurrent promoter mutations in ACD that recruit telomerase to telomeres through the shelterin component TPP1, lengthening chromosome caps and enabling extended cell division. This explains the unusually long telomeres seen in melanoma and points to a potential new therapeutic target.
Biomedical engineer Joseph Dituri spent 100 days in a 22-foot-deep underwater habitat at 1.6 ATA, undergoing tests that found increased energy, lower cholesterol and inflammatory markers, and a sevenfold rise in testosterone, plus REM sleep gains and a temporary height loss from pressure. He argues daily hyperbaric oxygen therapy could shave 10 years off age, but scientists caution there is no robust evidence that such exposure extends life expectancy and some findings were misinterpreted. Dituri is now part of a larger 200-participant XPRIZE effort to study healthy lifespan extension.
A study of about 1,600 adults found higher blood levels of theobromine, a compound in cocoa, linked to slower biological aging markers—lower GrimAge acceleration and longer telomeres. The association persisted after adjusting for age, weight, smoking, and even caffeine, and appeared strongest among former smokers. The work is observational, so it cannot prove causation, and researchers emphasize diet quality over chasing a single nutrient. They note the potential that theobromine enhances cocoa’s polyphenols, and call for controlled trials to determine causality and practical guidance on dark‑chocolate consumption.
Dick Van Dyke recently turned 100 and attributes his longevity to a positive outlook and never getting angry; research cited alongside the piece links optimism and stress reduction to longer lifespans, discusses telomeres as a cellular aging factor, and notes that better anger management and healthy habits may contribute to longer, healthier aging.
A King's College London study found higher blood theobromine levels, a compound in dark chocolate and coffee, are linked to slower biological aging markers (GrimAge and DNAmTL) in about 1,600 adults, even after accounting for caffeine; the signal is strongest among former-smokers and appears independent of caffeine. However, the study is observational and cannot prove causation, so researchers advocate focusing on overall diet quality rather than chasing a single nutrient, while noting dark chocolate’s sugar and fat content and the importance of modest portions.
Researchers show that upregulating the neural stem cell protein DMTF1 reverses aging-related proliferation decline in neural stem cells, restoring their growth in human and mouse models via chromatin remodeling and telomere-related pathways—offering a framework for brain repair therapies, though the work is early-stage.
NASA's twin study compared Scott Kelly in orbit with his Earthbound brother Mark to isolate space effects; researchers found rapid gene-expression shifts and heightened immune activity in Scott, with telomere elongation in space that shortened after return; radiation caused more DNA damage and repair signals in Scott than Mark; by six to eight months post-mission, most gene-expression changes had reverted, indicating reversibility but signaling potential long-term risks for future long-duration missions such as cardiovascular strain, vision problems, and cancer risk.
Researchers have identified the transcription factor DMTF1 as a key regulator that preserves neural stem cell activity in aging brains. In aging models with telomere damage, DMTF1 levels drop and neural stem cell regeneration declines; reactivating DMTF1 restores regenerative capacity and reveals its role in activating helper genes that open chromatin for growth-related genes. This suggests potential therapies to slow cognitive aging by boosting neural stem cell function, though most work so far is in vitro, with the long-term aim of developing small molecules to safely enhance DMTF1 without increasing brain tumor risk.
A large observational study across two European cohorts (TwinsUK and KORA) finds higher blood theobromine, a compound found in dark chocolate, cocoa, and coffee, is associated with slower biological aging—lower epigenetic age acceleration and longer telomeres—even after adjusting for caffeine and other factors. While the associations are strong, causality isn’t established, and researchers urge controlled trials before making dietary recommendations; the link was particularly notable in former smokers.
Experts say longevity comes from regular, well-balanced movement rather than quick fixes: aim 150–300 minutes of moderate or 75–150 minutes of vigorous exercise weekly, plus two strength sessions; exercise boosts mitochondria, improves insulin sensitivity, lowers chronic inflammation, and protects the brain, while too much can trigger harmful inflammation—the ‘Goldilocks zone.’ Track recovery with HRV or VO2 max, and prioritize sleep. Integrate daily activity (standing desks, active breaks, walking meetings), stay socially connected, and manage stress. A practical plan includes 3–4 cardio sessions (two short/high‑intensity, two longer), two strength sessions with a mix of compound moves (squats, lunges, push-ups, pulls, planks), and weekly yoga.
A study of 4,814 U.S. adults found that those who did at least 90 minutes of strength training per week had telomeres about 60 base pairs longer than non-participants, a change estimated to equal roughly 3.9 years of reduced biological aging. Strength training includes weightlifting and bodyweight exercises (calisthenics, suspension training). The authors caution that telomere length is influenced by lifestyle and health factors, and causality is not fully understood, but when paired with flexibility and cardio, regular resistance work supports a holistic approach to long-term wellness.