While the average lifeexpectancyin America is 78, it is not unusual to see people living well into their 90s. Eachgenerationseems to add a few years to the natural lifespanandeventually, with the aid of modern medicine, it isconceivablethatcentenarianswill be the rule rather than theexception. Until that time, however, your genes may be able topredictwhich side of the century mark yourfatelies.
Extensiveresearch on the geneticsignpostsfound in long-livedindividuals, published today in the journal Science, may just be able toprovidea stronglikelihoodof our chances to reach the magic 100 marker. By analyzing 150 signposts, the research team from Boston University was able toconstructa mathematical model, a scientific scorecard to calculatelongevity.
In the largest study of its kind, thegenomesof over 1,000 centenarians were scanned and compared to the genomes ofrandomlyselected individuals. They were able to identify those genetic markers that weredistinctlydifferent. They then tested the their theory by comparing thesespecificmarkers withpreviouslyuntested centenarians and "achieved anaccuracyrate of 77%,' according to lead researcher Paola Sebastiani, a professor of biostatistics at Boston University.
Dr. Sebastiani said that the "genetics isfundamentalin exceptional longevity it's not the only thing.... So there may be other factors like environment or other lifestyles that may help people live longer and healthier lives." Which helps to explain the error rate of 23%.
Only about 1 in 6,000 reach the age of 100 in industrialized countries, and most of themremainhealthy and free fromdisabilitywell into their nineties.
Vocabulary Exercise
1. It is ......... that he will be a great musician when he grows up.
suitable
conceivable
predict
2. We need ......... research to have certain result.
an extensive
a random
a fundamental
3. This booklet ......... useful information about local services.
The Longevity Gene: Will You Live to See 100?
While the average lifeexpectancyin America is 78, it is not unusual to see people living well into their 90s. Eachgenerationseems to add a few years to the natural lifespanandeventually, with the aid of modern medicine, it isconceivablethatcentenarianswill be the rule rather than theexception. Until that time, however, your genes may be able topredictwhich side of the century mark yourfatelies.
Extensiveresearch on the geneticsignpostsfound in long-livedindividuals, published today in the journal Science, may just be able toprovidea stronglikelihoodof our chances to reach the magic 100 marker. By analyzing 150 signposts, the research team from Boston University was able toconstructa mathematical model, a scientific scorecard to calculatelongevity.
In the largest study of its kind, thegenomesof over 1,000 centenarians were scanned and compared to the genomes ofrandomlyselected individuals. They were able to identify those genetic markers that weredistinctlydifferent. They then tested the their theory by comparing thesespecificmarkers withpreviouslyuntested centenarians and "achieved anaccuracyrate of 77%,' according to lead researcher Paola Sebastiani, a professor of biostatistics at Boston University.
Dr. Sebastiani said that the "genetics isfundamentalin exceptional longevity it's not the only thing.... So there may be other factors like environment or other lifestyles that may help people live longer and healthier lives." Which helps to explain the error rate of 23%.
Only about 1 in 6,000 reach the age of 100 in industrialized countries, and most of themremainhealthy and free fromdisabilitywell into their nineties.
Vocabulary Exercise