Fountain of youth science

Removing 'zombie' cells could slow aging
ROCHESTER, Minn. (UPI) -- Purging the body of senescent cells, old"zombie" cells that are no longer functioning properly, may slow downthe human aging process, U.S. researchers say.
Cells in the body don't keep dividing forever but reach a state knownas cellular senescence in which they no longer divide but releasesubstances that damage adjacent cells, scientists at the Mayo Clinicsaid.
The immune system normally disposes of the zombie cells but with aginggradually loses its ability to do so, they said.
"By attacking these cells and what they produce, one day we may beable to break the link between aging mechanisms and predisposition todiseases like heart disease, stroke, cancers and dementia," Dr. JamesKirkland, a co-author of the study, said in a statement.
Researchers say eliminating senescent cells could delay the onset ofcataracts, the gradual loss of muscle tissue and other aging-relatedproblems, CBS News reported Thursday.
"Therapeutic interventions to get rid of senescent cells or blocktheir effects may represent an avenue to make us feel more vital,healthier, and allow us to stay independent for a much longer time,"Dr. Jan van Deursen, a study co-author, said in the statement.
The research suggests it may be possible to develop drugs that wouldkill senescent cells in humans or improve an aging immune system'sability to dispose of them, the researchers