Modified worms live six times longer

A tiny round worm can live six times longer than normal if certain genes and hormones are tweaked, according to a report in the journal Science.

The worms - Caenorhabditis elegans - had a metabolic hormone inhibited and their reproductive systems removed.

They went on to stay healthy and active for a human equivalent of 500 years, which is the longest life-span extension ever achieved by scientists.

Researchers say some of these findings may hold true for mammals.

Read more @ BBC Science News.