Scientists say they can reverse ageing process

Scientists in Israel say they have conducted tests to successfully stop and reverse the biological ageing process. The tests were part of a joint project by Tel Aviv University and the Shamir Medical Center. The researchers said the science behind their experiments was very simple - they used only oxygen to slow down and turn around what happens to cells as they age. They used high-pressure oxygen on cells that were in a pressure chamber. The scientists said two processes related to ageing and illnesses slowed down. The scientists did tests on 35 adults over the age of 64 for 90 minutes a day, five times a week for three months. Their study was published in the magazine "Ageing" on November the 18th.

A lead scientist explained how important his team's research was. Professor Shai Efrati says the study shows that the ageing process can be reversed at the cellular level. He says we may be able to stop telomeres from shortening. Telomeres are inside cells. The shorter they become, the more we age. If we can stop them getting shorter, cells will not age. Professor Efrati said: "Today telomere shortening is considered the 'Holy Grail' of the biology of ageing. Researchers around the world are trying to develop [drugs] that enable telomere lengthening." He added: "The study gives hope, and opens the door for a lot of young scientists to target ageing as a reversible disease."