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Keeping Cool May Be the Key To Longevity

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the everybody-be-cool-you-be-cool dept.

merryprankster writes "New Scientist reports that Scripps Research Institute scientists have found that lowering the body temperature of mice by just 0.5C extends their lifespan by around 15%. Until now the only proven way of increasing longevity has been calorie restriction — but as this also causes a lowering of body temperature the researchers speculate that this cooling may be the underlying mechanism retarding aging. In this study mice with a defect in their lateral hypothalamus, which has the side effect of cooling body temperature, not only lived longer but also ate normal amounts."

4 of 224 comments (clear)

  1. Thermostat by Apocalypse111 · · Score: 3, Funny

    So when my dad kept yelling at me not to touch the thermostat, to keep it at 60 degrees, he was really trying to help me live longer?

    Thanks Dad!

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  2. Ice cream! by Rob+T+Firefly · · Score: 3, Funny

    Excuse me, I'm off to 31 Flavors. My very life depends on it!

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  3. of course! by GrumpySimon · · Score: 3, Funny

    The Fonz will NEVER die!

    Oh, wrong 'cool'. My bad.

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  4. As a member of the calorie restriction society... by Washizu · · Score: 5, Funny

    As a member of the calorie restriction society I have one thing to say:

    Ohhhh my god give me a sandwich!

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