Why some bats live 50 years: Longevity genes overlap with cancer and virus defenses

A mouse-sized bat that lives for decades appears to have evolved some of the same biological protections that help it resist cancer and viral disease. Researchers comparing eight closely related Myotis species found an extraordinary range of lifespans, from about seven years in some species to nearly 50 years in others. Their genome analysis revealed that genes associated with longevity overlapped far more than expected with genes involved in virus interactions and cancer defence. As reported by ScienceDaily, the study suggests that long life in these bats may be connected to an immune system that can fight infection while also identifying and removing damaged cells. The findings do not offer an immediate treatment for human ageing, but they give scientists a new way to investigate how some mammals remain healthy for decades despite their small size and demanding lives.A small mammal with a long lifeIn mammals, body size often provides a rough clue to lifespan. Larger animals such as elephants and whales tend to live much longer than small mammals such as mice. Bats challenge that pattern.Some bats weigh only a few grams but can live for several decades. They fly, use large amounts...