7/26/2005

Australasian Business Intelligence

(Herald Sun - ABIX via COMTEX) -- Scientists in the US believe that research into the lifespan of an earthworm may provide an insight into increasing the longevity of humans. The research involved the caenorhabditis elegans earthworm. Scientists exposed the worms to stress in order to predict their lifespan. Shane Rea, of the University of Colorado, believes that the research has yielded a "biomarker of ageing" which may ultimately allow scientists to modify an individual's stress-response system in order to extend their life. Rea says this may allow all humans to achieve the current maximum lifespan of around 120 years.