A new analysis published in Science challenges decades of scientific consensus by suggesting that genetics play a much larger role in determining lifespan than previously believed. According to the study, approximately 55% of human lifespan is heritable, meaning that more than half of the observed variation in longevity across a population can be attributed to genetics. This is a significant increase from previous estimates, which ranged from 10% to 25%, according to Nature News.
The findings are expected to aid in the search for specific genes involved in aging and the development of treatments for aging and age-related diseases, Nature News reported. The research highlights the potential for understanding the genetic components of longevity to unlock new avenues for medical intervention.
In other science and technology news, Northwestern University researchers successfully used an artificial lung to keep a critically ill 33-year-old patient alive for 48 hours until a lung transplant could be performed, Ars Technica reported. The patient's lungs had liquefied due to a severe infection, causing his body to shut down. This achievement offers a potential blueprint for saving patients previously considered too sick for lung transplants.
Google DeepMind is also advancing AI world models with the launch of Project Genie, according to multiple news sources. Additionally, a new study has identified convergent pathways in autism spectrum disorder despite genetic diversity, Vox reported.
Separately, corrections were issued for a Nature 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. However, the authors emphasized 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, according to multiple sources.
Other recent news includes protests in Minneapolis following fatal ICE shootings, algorithm-driven partisan content creation, shifting attitudes towards parenthood among Gen Z men, and Apple's new location data privacy feature for iPhones and iPads, Vox reported.
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