Could emerald wasps be a cure for aging?

The research team discovered that, despite their short lifespan, emerald bumblebees share something important with humans: a DNA methylation system. This system is a biological mechanism that allows cells to adapt to different functions, and thanks to this mechanism, emerald bumblebees can virtually "freeze" aging before reaching adulthood.

In experiments, it was observed that these creatures paused their biological aging process by taking a kind of "break" at an early age, thus extending their lifespan by one-third.

In the study, emerald bumblebee mothers were exposed to cold, dark environments to induce a hibernation-like state in their offspring called "diapause." This natural "pause" significantly extended the offspring's lifespan. Furthermore, the rate of biological aging in the diapausing bumblebees was found to be 29 percent slower than in other bumblebees. However, there's an important distinction here: biological age and chronological age are different concepts. Chronological age simply reflects the passing of years, while biological age reflects the actual state of cells and tissues.

While biological aging in humans can be observed through obvious symptoms such as wrinkles or graying hair, other signs such as cellular deterioration can be revealed through more detailed tests.

This study from the University of Leicester is the first concrete evidence that biological aging can be directly controlled in an invertebrate. Scientists believe this finding could also open new avenues for understanding human aging.