Is longevity science stuck? Researchers call for a strategic reset

After decades of progress, longevity science may be facing a paradox: more knowledge, but limited impact. Some researchers now suggest the field may have failed not because of insufficient data, but because of flawed strategy.

Mitochondria-Microbiota Task Force

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Targeting Longevity 2026 logo

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Credit: @ISM

• Have we been targeting aging the wrong way?
• Is lifespan extension the wrong objective?
• Could resilience — not longevity — be the true therapeutic endpoint?

These questions will frame the International Conference on Targeting Longevity 2026 (April 8–9, Berlin), where scientists and industry leaders will examine whether aging should be redefined as a systems-level failure rather than a collection of molecular defects.

Speakers including:
Nancy M. Bonini, Yuji Naito, João Pedro de Magalhães, Yasukazu Nakamura, William Lowry, Viktor Korolchuk, João F. Passos, and Tohru Minamino will discuss emerging evidence suggesting that aging reflects loss of coordination between mitochondria, microbiota, immune signaling, and metabolic regulation.

This perspective challenges dominant models focused on individual pathways such as senescence, mTOR signaling, or metabolic targets. While these approaches have produced important insights, their clinical translation has remained limited.

Some researchers now speculate that longevity interventions may require coordinated modulation of biological networks rather than single target therapies. Others propose that future strategies may resemble resilience engineering, stabilizing biological systems rather than attempting to reverse aging directly.

Industry interest reflects this shift. Companies attending include Nadmed, Amoeba, Arterra Bioscience SpA, Beiersdorf AG, Blue Oak Nx, Corus, Dr Irena Eris S.A., EpiGenEdit, Frisch GmbH Forever Beautiful, IMD Berlin, Hermès, Industrias Asociadas SL, L’Occitane en Provence, L’OREAL, Mibelle Biochemistry, MK Medical Aesthetic, Natura, Pierre Fabre, Rubisco Biotechnology, Springer Nature, Synbalance Srl, and Synlab Mvz Leinfelden. 

“Longevity research has produced extraordinary discoveries, yet implementation remains fragmented,” said Dr. Marvin Edeas, organizer and chairman of the scientific board. “We may need to rethink aging as a loss of biological coordination. The next phase of longevity science will likely focus on restoring resilience across interconnected systems.”

The Berlin meeting aims to explore whether this conceptual shift could redefine research priorities, therapeutic development, and business models in the rapidly growing longevity sector.

If aging is not a single process but a network failure, the future of longevity may depend on learning how to stabilize biological complexity rather than simply extending lifespan.

About Targeting Longevity 2026

Targeting Longevity 2026 explores whether longevity science requires a strategic reset. The meeting examines aging as a systems level loss of coordination involving mitochondria, microbiota, immunity, and metabolism. By focusing on resilience rather than single pathways, the conference aims to identify new translational strategies and industrial opportunities.

For more information about the congress & agenda: https://targeting-longevity.com/

 

Adult children’s unemployment is associated with the depression risk of older parents in India

Umea University

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Rishabh Tyagi, postdoc at Centre for Demographic and Aging Research, Umeå University

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Credit: Silke Schulz

Older adults in India have almost 12% higher risk of depression when their adult children are unemployed. A new study from Umeå University shows that unemployment among younger generations increases the risk of poor mental health among parents, particularly in a society where many older adults are both economically and socially dependent on their children.

The research is based on extensive data from the Longitudinal Ageing Survey of India, which includes more than 73,000 people aged over 45. The material provides a unique picture of how families are affected when adult children fall out of the labour market.

Strong link between children’s unemployment and parents’ health

The researchers show a clear link between adult children’s unemployment and deteriorating mental health among parents. When the income of adult children disappears, insecurity also rises for parents, who rely heavily on support from their children in everyday life.

First-born sons play a particularly important role

The study finds that the risk of depression among parents increases markedly when the first-born son loses his job, while the association is considerably weaker when the first-born daughter becomes unemployed. According to the researchers, this reflects cultural norms in India, where sons – particularly the eldest – are traditionally expected to carry on the family name and support their parents in later life. These expectations mean that a son’s unemployment has greater consequences for parents’ psychological well-being.

Social participation protect older adults’ mental health

Despite the central role of the family, the study shows that social networks and active social engagement have a clearly protective effect. Older adults who take part in social activities have a lower risk of developing depression, even when their adult children are unemployed. For those with limited social engagement, however, the association is significantly stronger, and the risk of depression rises sharply when adult children lose their jobs.

Greatest strength of association in states with large socioeconomic inequalities

In states with wide income disparities, older parents are particularly vulnerable. These areas are often characterised by limited access to essential public services such as education, welfare, and health care. The study shows that older adults living under such conditions have higher depression risk when their adult children becomes unemployed, compared to older adults living in low income inequality states when their adult children becomes unemployed.

“Our results show how closely interconnected generations in India are, and how vulnerable many older adults become when younger generations lose their foothold in the labour market. Without social participation, the impact is felt directly by older people,” says Rishabh Tyagi, postdoc at Centre for Demographic and Aging Research, Umeå University, one of the researchers behind the study.

Key findings

• Older parents in India are clearly affected when their adult children are unemployed.
• The association is stronger in families where children’s economic and social support is crucial to parents’ security.
• Unemployment among first-born sons has a greater association with parents depression risk than unemployment among first-born daughters, partly due to cultural expectations of responsibility.
• Older adults who are socially active fare significantly better than those who live more isolated lives.
• Large economic disparities between states increase the vulnerability of older parents.

Recommendations

The researchers recommend strengthening support for young people in the labour market, reducing the substantial income disparities between states, and improving the state’s capacity to deliver essential public services such as education, welfare, and health care. These measures are considered central to better protecting the psychological and social well-being of older adults.

More about the article

Tyagi, R., Baranowska-Rataj, A., & Gugushvili, A. (2026). Adult Children’s Unemployment and Parental Mental Health in India: Social and Economic Heterogeneity. SSM-Population Health 33 (2026) 101905, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssmph.2026.101905. 

The project is part of a larger research project titled “The effects of unemployment on health of family members” funded by the European Research Council (ERC) under grant agreement No 802631.

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Journal

SSM - Population Health

DOI

10.1016/j.ssmph.2026.101905 

Method of Research

Data/statistical analysis

Subject of Research

People

Article Title

Adult Children’s Unemployment and Parental Mental Health in India: Social and Economic Heterogeneity

How gossiping mushroom networks share your public urination secrets

Tohoku University

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Close-up of mushrooms with electrodes attached. 

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Credit: ©Yu Fukasawa et al.

Psst, have you heard that mushrooms can "gossip" and spread information to their neighbours? Underneath the umbrella-like shapes we see on the forest floor is a hidden underground network that allows mushrooms to communicate. This interconnected network we often overlook - called a mycelial network - is actually the main body of a mushroom.

Like gossip, information can spread across mushrooms via their mycelial networks. However, there is a lot we don't know about how this communication truly works given how complex these sprawling connections are.

A research team lead by Yu Fukasawa, an associate professor in Tohoku University, showed evidence of electrical information flow across mushrooms by attaching electrodes to 37 mushrooms of ectomycorrhizal fungi. The researchers measured the response to various applications of either water or urine. Under certain conditions, mushrooms either increased or decreased their communication levels. This remarkable study reveals the detailed behaviour of how fungi communicate in the field.

The ectomycorrhizal fungi investigated are part of an ecological group of fungi called ammonia fungi, which are activated by a high concentration of ammonia in the soil. Since urea (a chemical component of urine) is a precursor for ammonia, it can actually promote the growth of these mushrooms. Simply put, they like pee - or rather, one of the chemicals it turns into. Therefore, to better understand how these mushrooms communicate, the researchers chose urine as a potential trigger.

Fukasawa applied either tap water or urine to the soil around mushrooms grown locally in Kami town, Miyagi Prefecture, to see their reaction. After analysing the data of electrical dynamics of the 37 mushrooms, they found that their results differed depending on whether they added tap water or urine, whether it was applied to a concentrated area or a widespread area, the spatial distance between the mushrooms, and the genetic distance between mushrooms (how closely related they are, based on a genomic analysis).

The experiment alternated between applying water or urine each day. When they applied water around one particular mushroom, it increased the flow of information. However, there was a decrease on the days when urine was applied. When applying water to a more widespread area, it reduced the flow of information.

"It's fascinating to think about why the mushrooms communicate the way they do," says Fukasawa, "For example, applying water to all the mushrooms may mean that there's no need to share information since the whole network already knows what's going on, which could be why the flow of information decreased in this situation."

These results indicate that forest mushrooms can flexibly change their electrical information flow in response to a variety of disturbances. These findings could help in solving the mysteries surrounding electrical communication in mushrooms, such as what type of activity the electric signals measured in this study are meant to trigger.

The paper was published on March 2, 2026, in Scientific Reports.

Mushrooms with electrodes attached.

Credit

©Yu Fukasawa et al.

Journal

Scientific Reports

DOI

10.1038/s41598-026-42673-y 

Article Title

Electrical information flows across the sporocarps of two ectomycorrhizal fungi in the field

 

Crushing soda cans and the mathematics of corrugation formation

University of Manchester

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Soda can in a hydraulic press

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Credit: Dr Finn Box

Many people have likely found themselves watching oddly satisfying videos of random objects being squashed by a powerful hydraulic press, but rarely people consider why things squash the way they do.

One object that caught the eye of researchers at The University of Manchester was a simple drinks can. When crushed while filled with liquid, it behaves completely differently from an empty one. Instead of collapsing suddenly, it produces an ordered sequence of circular rings that appear one by one.

But it turns out there’s more going on than just a satisfying visual. Published in the journal Communications Physics, the Manchester team has discovered that the formation of corrugations follows a rare mathematical process - and the discovery could have implications for safety across multiple industries.

Lead researcher, Shresht Jain, PhD researcher at The University of Manchester, said: “Most of us have stamped on an empty can and watched it collapse instantly. But a full can behaves completely differently. It forms one buckle after another in an orderly fashion, until the whole can is wrapped in evenly spaced corrugations. We were fascinated and wanted to understand what was driving that behaviour – particularly as liquid-filled containers are found everywhere in our day-to-day lives.”

To find out, the researchers combined laboratory experiments with a type of mathematical modelling typically used to study natural pattern formation, such as water ripples or wave formations.

They discovered that the sequence of buckles is anything but random. Because the liquid inside the can is almost incompressible, it changes the way the aluminium can carries force.

“A standard can usually starts to buckle near the middle,” explained Dr Draga Pihler-Puzovic, Reader in Nonlinear Dynamics at The University of Manchester. “But tiny variations in shape or size of the can, can shift where the first ring appears. After that, however, the physics takes over, and the sequence becomes extremely predictable. As the can compresses, the metal softens and then stiffens again – this cycle naturally forms the rings. Even changes in the can’s internal pressure don’t alter the overall pattern much. That tells us that the buckling sequence is a fundamental property of any liquid-filled cylinder made from metal, not just a quirky effect of a drinks can.”

The team discovered that this step-by-step pattern matches a mathematical process known as homoclinic snaking - a phenomenon where bumps or ripples appear one by one in a precise, controlled order. Although mathematicians have suggested that this ‘snaking’ could underpin the buckling of cylinders, uncovering its trace in a real physical system is exceptionally rare.

The findings could also have far broader implications. Liquid-filled metal cylindrical shells are used throughout modern engineering — in industrial storage, transportation, construction, energy systems, and even in parts of rockets.

Yet, despite their ubiquity, engineers have lacked a clear understanding of how these structures might buckle when compressed.

Dr Finn Box, Royal Society University Research Fellow at The University of Manchester. said: “Understanding the exact sequence of buckles could help engineers spot the early warning signs of failure long before a system collapses. That could lead to safer designs, better monitoring techniques, and more reliable structures in a whole range of industries. It might even open up possibilities for manufacturing. For example, it could be possible to create corrugated cans after filling without needing a mould.”

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Journal

Communications Physics

DOI

10.1038/s42005-026-02589-5 

Article Title

Soda-forming: Sequential buckling in fluid-filled cylindrical shells

Article Publication Date

31-Mar-2026

 

Pesticides and cancer: A study reveals the biological mechanisms behind an environmental health risk

Institut Pasteur

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A new scientific study, published in Nature Health, reveals a strong link between exposure to agricultural pesticides in the environment and the risk of developing cancer. By combining environmental data, a nationwide cancer registry, and biological analyses, researchers from the IRD, the Institut Pasteur, the University of Toulouse, and the National Institute of Neoplastic Diseases (INEN) in Peru have shed new light on the role of pesticide exposure in the development of certain cancers.

Pesticides are widely present in food, water, and the environment, often in the form of complex mixtures. Until now, it has been difficult to accurately assess their effects on human health, as most studies focus on isolated substances and experimental models that are far removed from real-world exposure conditions. This new study adopts an innovative, integrative approach that accounts for the complexity of real-world exposures experienced by populations.

Peru, a Relevant Study Site

The country is characterized by intensive agriculture in certain regions, a wide variety of climates and ecosystems, and significant social and territorial inequalities. Cancer has become a public health priority there, and levels of pesticide contamination in the population are cause for concern. The data highlight increased exposure to pesticides among certain groups, particularly Indigenous and peasant communities. On average, these populations are simultaneously exposed to 12 different pesticides detected at high concentrations.

An innovative method linking environment, biology, and cancer

The study relies on modeling that maps the areas of the country most exposed to pesticide-related environmental pollution. Applied across the entire country, this approach incorporates 31 chemicals used in agriculture—none of which are classified as known human carcinogens by the World Health Organization (WHO)—and models how they spread in the environment.

“We first modeled the dispersion of pesticides in the environment over a six-year period, from 2014 to 2019, which allowed us to create a high-resolution map and identify areas with the highest risk of exposure,” explains Jorge Honles, PhD in epidemiology at the University of Toulouse.

By cross-referencing this mapping with geodata from more than 150,000 patients diagnosed between 2007 and 2020, the researchers were able to identify areas where people are both more likely to be exposed to pesticides in the environment and more likely to be affected by certain cancers. In these areas, the risk of developing cancer was, on average, 150% higher.

“This is the first time we have been able to link pesticide exposure, on a national scale, to biological changes suggesting an increased risk of cancer,” explains Stéphane Bertani, a researcher in molecular biology at the French National Research Institute for Sustainable Development (IRD), at the PHARMA-DEV laboratory (IRD/University of Toulouse).

Early and Silent Biological Effects

The study shows that certain tumors, although they affect different organs, share common biological vulnerabilities linked to their cellular origin that can be weakened by pesticide exposure. Notably, the liver is a key organ in the metabolism of chemicals and is considered a sentinel site for environmental exposure. Molecular analyses conducted at the Institut Pasteur by the team led by Pascal Pineau show that pesticides disrupt processes that help maintain cell function and cellular identity. These biological changes appear before cancer develops, suggesting early, cumulative, and silent effects. They could make tissues more vulnerable to other risk factors, such as infections, inflammation, or environmental stressors.

Major implications for global health and cancer prevention

The results challenge conventional toxicological approaches, which are based on the evaluation of isolated substances and the establishment of thresholds considered safe. They highlight the importance of considering pesticide mixtures, environmental exposure, and real-world socio-ecological contexts. The study also suggests that extreme weather events, such as El Niño, can exacerbate exposure by altering pesticide use and their dispersion in the environment. It calls for a reassessment of risk evaluation and prevention policies.

Beyond Peru, this study is part of a broader discussion on global health and planetary boundaries. It illustrates how environmental changes, unsustainable land management, extreme weather events, and social inequalities can combine to affect population health, particularly the most vulnerable, such as Indigenous and peasant communities in Peru.

The researchers plan to continue their work to better understand the identified biological mechanisms and strengthen prevention tools to support more equitable and effective public health policies.

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Journal

Nature

Method of Research

Computational simulation/modeling

Subject of Research

Not applicable

Article Title

Mapping pesticide mixtures to cancer risk at country scale with spatial exposomics

Article Publication Date

1-Apr-2026

WorldFish launches venture platform to mobilize capital to scale aquatic food innovation

WorldFish

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WorldFish headquarters in Penang, Malaysia, where science meets investment to take aquatic food innovations from lab to large-scale impact.

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WorldFish today announced the launch of WorldFish Ventures (WFV), a wholly owned commercial subsidiary established to accelerate the scaling of innovations in aquatic food systems through market-based approaches and strategic partnerships.

Approved by the WorldFish Board of Trustees, WorldFish Ventures represents a significant milestone in the organization’s evolution—strengthening the pathway from scientific innovation to large-scale adoption by harnessing the power of markets to deliver impact.

WorldFish has long been at the forefront of developing innovations in aquatic food systems, including genetically improved fish strains, fisheries management, digital platforms, and capacity development solutions. WorldFish Ventures is designed to translate these innovations into scalable, investable solutions that can reach underserved markets more effectively and sustainably.

“WorldFish Ventures reflects a deliberate step forward in how we deliver impact,” said Alyssa Jade McDonald-Baertl, Chair of the WorldFish Board of Trustees. “The Board has placed strong emphasis on ensuring that WorldFish’s scientific excellence is matched by mechanisms that enable scale. This structure provides the right balance between maintaining mission integrity and engaging effectively with market actors to expand reach and sustainability.”

WorldFish Ventures will operate as a dedicated platform to mobilize private sector engagement, crowd in investment, and accelerate the deployment of innovations across priority markets in Africa, Asia, and beyond.

Its initial portfolio will focus on:

• Improved fish genetics, including globally recognized tilapia and carp breeding programs
• Digital platforms and analytics, including next-generation data solutions for aquatic food systems
• Training and capacity development, through scalable models such as the WorldFish Academy

In addition to scaling WorldFish innovations, WFV will actively onboard and commercialize innovations from partners, including startups, research institutions, and private sector actors, creating a broader ecosystem for innovation deployment.

“Scientific breakthroughs only achieve their full value when they reach scale,” said Essam Yassin Mohammed, Director General of WorldFish. “WorldFish Ventures is designed to harness market forces to accelerate that process—enabling us to deliver solutions at the pace and scale required, particularly in underserved markets where the opportunity for impact is greatest.”

The venture will begin with a pilot phase, working with partners across the value chain to validate scalable business models, strengthen delivery systems, and build the foundations for long-term financial sustainability.

WorldFish Ventures will operate within a governance framework that ensures continued stewardship of WorldFish’s intellectual assets, strong mission alignment, and clear oversight, while providing the flexibility required to engage effectively with private sector partners and investors.

With the establishment of WorldFish Ventures, WorldFish is advancing a model that integrates science, markets, and partnerships to accelerate the transformation of aquatic food systems and expand access to nutritious, sustainable aquatic foods.

ENDS

About WorldFish

WorldFish is an international research and innovation organization working to transform aquatic food systems to reduce hunger, improve nutrition, and enhance livelihoods. Headquartered in Penang, Malaysia, WorldFish operates across Africa, Asia, and the Pacific as part of CGIAR.