Aging is part of the journey, for all bodies, human and animal alike. And sometimes, science offers discoveries that are as amusing as they are thought-provoking. In a highly sociable marine mammal, friendship might not just be pleasant: it could literally slow down the passage of time.<\/p>\n
Researchers from the University of New South Wales<\/a> have observed more than a thousand wild dolphins living in Shark Bay, Western Australia. This population has been monitored for over 40 years, providing an exceptional database. The goal? To compare the dolphins' chronological age with their biological age, that is, how their bodies change over time.<\/p>\n A surprising but consistent result: two dolphins of the same chronological age do not necessarily age at the same rate. Males that maintain strong and stable social bonds with a few preferred partners show biological signs of slower aging than those living in more isolation.<\/p>\n To measure this biological age, scientists analyzed epigenetic modifications from skin samples. These markers, influenced by the environment, stress, and lifestyle, provide valuable insight into how the body copes with aging. And clearly, in dolphins, the quality of relationships matters enormously. <\/p>\n\n