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Scientists Identify a Potentially Universal Mechanism of Aging
cybergenesis2008 points us to a summary of research out of Harvard Medical School in which a set of genes known to affect aging in yeast was found to affect aging in mice as well. The genes, called sirtuins, perform two particular tasks; regulating which genes are "on" and "off," and also helping to repair damaged DNA. As an organism ages, the frequency of damage to DNA increases, leaving less time for the sirtuins' regulatory tasks. The increasingly unregulated genes then become a significant factor in aging. Realizing this, the researchers "administered extra copies of the sirtuin gene [to the mice], or fed them the sirtuin activator resveratrol, which in turn extended their mean lifespan by 24 to 46 percent." We discussed the plans for this research a few years ago.
I wish I could mod down individual paragraphs of articles.
Like our current financial crisis, the aging process might also be a product excessive deregulation.
-1, Off-topic
No-one said the aliens were men...
Aside from that, actually making any amount of money is hard under a reasonably-social government.
Anything you earn is taxed first as pay, then as wealthfare and then as sales tax.
Oddly enough, as your salary increases, so does your tax percentage and you don't really make any more money. (some people act surprised when I tell them I have a decent-paying IT job, but still don't get much more -per hour- than someone working in a supermarket.)
On the off-chance that you can save enough money to but a house, you'll even have to pay taxes simply for owning the house.
"I was in love with a beautiful blonde once, dear. She drove me to drink. It's the one thing I am indebted to her for."