Would you even WANT to live to 100? Hang on, new question: How about 180? Researchers at U.C. San Diego may have just figured out how to extend our lifespan by over 80%.Â
Â
Before you get too excited, they haven't tried it on people yet, just yeast.  But it could be a big deal. Here's a very basic explanation . . .
Â
We age because our cells start breaking down, and a previous study found it happens for two reasons:Â Their mitochondria gets weaker, and our DNA becomes less stable.
Â
That's true for yeast cells too. But they basically rewired and tricked them, so those two things wouldn't happen at the same time. Instead, they alternate.
Â
They found that when each one got to take little breaks like that, it slowed down the aging process in general. And the yeast cells lived 82% longer.
Â
They say it's just "proof-of-concept" for now, but they think the same type of gene therapy will work on human cells too. The main concern is, will it be safe?Â
Â
Â
(EurekAlert / Vice / Interesting Engineering)