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Can scientists reverse your age? : Short Wave

NPR News •
November 11, 2026 • 08:00 AM
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Reversing aging may sound like science fiction, but scientists have already found a way to do it—at least, theoretically. Based on a 2012 Nobel-prize winning discovery, researchers are testing whether they can revert diseased cells in the eye back to young and healthy ones. They gave people a drug this year. If it works, it’ll open the door to curing and possibly preventing other age-related diseases. And that led producer Berly McCoy to wonder: Could all this research eventually extend our human lifespans? If you like this episode, check out our episodes on zombie cells, why our hair turns gray and why we die.Interested in more science on aging? Email us your question at [email protected] public media with NPR+ and enjoy perks for over 25 podcasts like this one. This show’s perks include sponsor-free listening. Learn more at plus.npr.org.

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Reversing aging may sound like science fiction, but scientists have already found a way to do it—at least, theoretically. Based on a 2012 Nobel-prize winning discovery, researchers are testing whether they can revert diseased cells in the eye back to young and healthy ones. They gave people a drug this year. If it works, it'll open the door to curing and possibly preventing other age-related diseases. And that led producer Berly McCoy to wonder: Could all this research eventually extend our human lifespans?

If you liked this episode, check out our episodes on zombie cells , why our hair turns gray and why we die .

Interested in more science on aging? Email us your question at [email protected] .

Support public media with NPR+ and enjoy perks for over 25 podcasts like this one. This show's perks include sponsor-free listening. Learn more at plus.npr.org .

Listen to Short Wave on Spotify and Apple Podcasts .

This episode was produced by Hannah Chinn. It was edited by Rebecca Ramirez and Lauren Gonzalez. Tyler Jones checked the facts. The audio engineer was Robert Rodriguez.

NPR does not offer or accept money for coverage or interviews. Anyone who makes such an offer or request is not an NPR employee and does not represent NPR.

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