The discovery by scientists at the University of Leicester has revealed that jewel wasps can undergo a natural “time-out” as larvae before emerging into adulthood with this surprising advantage. The study, published in PNAS, shows that this pause in development within the wasp dramatically extends lifespan and decelerates the ticking of the so-called “epigenetic clock” that marks molecular aging.

Aging isn’t just about counting birthdays; it’s also a biological process that leaves molecular fingerprints on our DNA. One of the most accurate markers of this process is the epigenetic clock, which tracks chemical changes in DNA, known as methylation, that accumulate with age. The study found that by altering the course of development itself, the jewel wasps could slow down their aging process at a molecular level.

To investigate this phenomenon, a team of researchers exposed jewel wasp mothers to cold and darkness, triggering a hibernation-like state in their babies called diapause. This natural “pause button” extended the offsprings’ adult lifespan by over a third. Even more remarkably, the wasps that had gone through diapause aged 29% more slowly at the molecular level than their counterparts.

“It’s like the wasps who took a break early in life came back with extra time in the bank,” said Evolutionary Biology Professor Eamonn Mallon, senior author on the study. “It shows that aging isn’t set in stone; it can be slowed by the environment, even before adulthood begins.”

The researchers found that this molecular slowdown was linked to changes in key biological pathways that are conserved across species, including those involved in insulin and nutrient sensing. These same pathways are being targeted by anti-aging interventions in humans.

What makes this study novel and surprising is that it demonstrates a long-lasting, environmentally triggered slowdown of aging in a system that’s both simple and relevant to human biology. It offers compelling evidence that early life events can leave lasting marks not just on health but on the pace of biological aging itself.

Understanding how and why aging happens is a major scientific challenge. This study opens up new avenues for research, not just into the biology of wasps, but into the broader question of whether we might one day design interventions to slow aging at its molecular roots. With its genetic tools, measurable aging markers, and clear link between development and lifespan, Nasonia vitripennis is now a rising star in aging research.

“In short, this tiny wasp may hold big answers to how we can press pause on aging,” concluded Professor Mallon. Funding for the study was provided by The Leverhulme Trust and The Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC).

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Nature’s Armor: Scientists Uncover Gene Behind Aussie Skinks’ Immunity to Deadly Snake Venom

In a groundbreaking study led by the University of Queensland, scientists have discovered the genetic secret behind Australian skinks’ remarkable ability to withstand deadly snake venom. The research, published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences, reveals that these small lizards have evolved a molecular armor to protect themselves from the toxic effects of neurotoxins.

Professor Bryan Fry from UQ’s School of the Environment explained that the skinks’ defense mechanism involves tiny changes in a critical muscle receptor called the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor. This receptor is normally targeted by snake venom, which blocks nerve-muscle communication and leads to rapid paralysis and death. However, in a stunning example of evolutionary adaptation, researchers found that skinks independently developed mutations on 25 occasions to block venom from attaching.

“It’s a testament to the massive evolutionary pressure exerted by venomous snakes after their arrival and spread across the Australian continent,” Professor Fry said. “The same mutations evolved in other animals like mongooses, which feed on cobras.”

Researchers confirmed that Australia’s Major Skink (Bellatorias frerei) has developed exactly the same resistance mutation as the honey badger, famous for its immunity to cobra venom.

To validate these findings, scientists conducted functional testing at UQ’s Adaptive Biotoxicology Laboratory. Dr. Uthpala Chandrasekara led the laboratory work and reported that the data was “crystal clear.” The modified receptors simply didn’t respond to toxins, demonstrating their remarkable ability to repel deadly snake venom.

This research has significant implications for biomedical innovation, particularly in the development of novel antivenoms or therapeutic agents. Dr. Chandrasekara emphasized that understanding how nature neutralizes venom can provide valuable clues for designing more effective treatments.

The project involved collaborations with museums across Australia and offers a promising example of interdisciplinary research, bridging the gap between scientific discovery and potential applications.

The world has witnessed a remarkable shift in the way scientists conduct research, thanks to the power of citizen science. One such platform, iNaturalist, has revolutionized the field by tapping into the collective efforts of everyday people who share wildlife photos via its website and app. This study reveals how iNaturalist is not only connecting users with nature but also becoming a cornerstone of scientific research.

The international study, led by researchers at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS), analyzed the platform’s data growth over five years. The findings demonstrate that the scientific use of iNaturalist has grown tenfold, closely tracking the platform’s data growth. This surge in observations, particularly in lesser-documented geographic areas and species groups, is expanding its research applications.

The study highlights various trends that shape the future of biodiversity science. Firstly, iNaturalist is being used extensively in species distribution modeling and range mapping, enabling scientists to track how organisms are spread across the planet. Secondly, the platform’s images are increasingly being utilized in scientific research, providing new insights into species behavior, coloration, and habitat preferences.

The exponential rise in scholarly articles using iNaturalist data suggests that as participation grows, particularly in underrepresented regions and among lesser-studied species groups, so will its impact on science. The study reveals the platform’s utility in various fields, including conservation planning, habitat modeling, education, machine learning, and species discovery.

The global reach of iNaturalist is staggering, with contributions from 128 countries and 638 species groups. This collaborative effort has made meaningful contributions to scientific knowledge, with millions of people helping scientists track biodiversity in ways that would be impossible through traditional fieldwork alone.

As the platform continues to grow, its potential impact on biodiversity research will only increase. By strategically pairing iNaturalist data with other biodiversity data, researchers can inform conservation work and tackle one of the planet’s most pressing challenges: biodiversity loss. The study concludes that an important frontier remains in understanding how iNaturalist data can be used to inform biodiversity and conservation work in the future.

The study, published in BioScience, involved researchers from 15 institutions across several countries, emphasizing the global nature of this collaborative effort.