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Sometimes we want to see how people change over time, as in studies of human development and lifespan. When we test the same group of individuals repeatedly over an extended period of time, we are conducting longitudinal research. Longitudinal research is a research design in which data-gathering is administered repeatedly over an extended period of time. For example, we may survey a group of individuals about their dietary habits at age 20, retest them a decade later at age 30, and then again...
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 16, 2026

Surveying Low-Cost Methods to Measure Lifespan and Healthspan in Caenorhabditis elegans
10:08

Surveying Low-Cost Methods to Measure Lifespan and Healthspan in Caenorhabditis elegans

Published on: May 18, 2022

Aging: evolution of life span revisited.

Damian K Dowling1

  • 1School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, 3800 Victoria, Australia. damian.dowling@monash.edu

Current Biology : CB
|November 24, 2012
PubMed
Summary

High mortality rates may unexpectedly drive longer lifespans, challenging established evolutionary aging theories. This finding suggests a novel evolutionary pathway where external pressures promote longevity.

Area of Science:

  • Evolutionary biology
  • Gerontology
  • Demography

Background:

  • The evolutionary theory of aging typically predicts that high extrinsic mortality selects for shorter lifespans.
  • This theory is based on the idea that resources are allocated towards reproduction rather than somatic maintenance when survival is limited.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the evolutionary consequences of high extrinsic mortality on lifespan.
  • To challenge or refine existing models of the evolutionary theory of aging.

Main Methods:

  • The study likely involved theoretical modeling or analysis of demographic data from populations with varying mortality rates.
  • Mathematical models simulating evolutionary trajectories under different extrinsic mortality scenarios were probably employed.

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Studying Age-dependent Genomic Instability using the S. cerevisiae Chronological Lifespan Model

Published on: September 29, 2011

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 16, 2026

Surveying Low-Cost Methods to Measure Lifespan and Healthspan in Caenorhabditis elegans
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Surveying Low-Cost Methods to Measure Lifespan and Healthspan in Caenorhabditis elegans

Published on: May 18, 2022

High-Throughput Behavioral Aging and Lifespan Assays Using the Lifespan Machine
08:53

High-Throughput Behavioral Aging and Lifespan Assays Using the Lifespan Machine

Published on: January 26, 2024

Studying Age-dependent Genomic Instability using the S. cerevisiae Chronological Lifespan Model
08:46

Studying Age-dependent Genomic Instability using the S. cerevisiae Chronological Lifespan Model

Published on: September 29, 2011

Main Results:

  • Contrary to classic predictions, high rates of extrinsic mortality were found to be associated with the evolution of longer lifespans.
  • This suggests that selection pressures can favor increased longevity even in the face of significant external threats.

Conclusions:

  • The findings necessitate a re-evaluation of the evolutionary theory of aging.
  • Environmental factors, specifically extrinsic mortality, can play a more complex role in shaping life history evolution than previously understood.