New research suggests genetics play a significantly larger role in determining lifespan than previously believed, with heritability accounting for approximately 55% of longevity, according to a study published in Science. This finding, reported by Nature News, challenges the long-held scientific consensus that placed the heritability of lifespan at 10-25%. The research could aid in identifying specific genes involved in aging and developing potential treatments, according to study co-author Ben Shenhar, a biophysicist.
In other health and science news, a team at Northwestern University successfully kept a critically ill 33-year-old patient alive for 48 hours without lungs using a custom-engineered artificial lung system, Ars Technica reported. The patient, whose lungs had liquefied due to a severe infection, received a successful double lung transplant after the artificial lung system bridged the gap. This achievement offers a potential blueprint for saving patients previously deemed too sick for lung transplants.
Meanwhile, a new study synthesizing data from multiple sources, including a large collection of human induced pluripotent stem cells, investigated the convergent impact of genetically defined forms of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) on human neurodevelopment, Nature News reported. Researchers identified shared transcriptional changes and a common RNA and protein interaction network across different ASD-linked mutations. This suggests that despite genetic heterogeneity, these mutations converge on shared pathways during brain development. This research, also highlighted by Vox, indicates convergent pathways in autism spectrum disorder despite genetic diversity.
In related news, Nature News issued corrections to an article published on April 9, 2025, concerning the Mesolithic to Neolithic transition in the central Mediterranean. The corrections addressed errors in radiocarbon date uncertainties and phase model boundaries within the supplementary information. The authors stated that these adjustments have minimal impact on the overall study results, which continue to align with the established consensus on the timing of the Neolithic transition in the region.
Other recent developments include Google DeepMind launching Project Genie to advance AI world models, as reported by Vox.
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