Benjamin Carr, Ph.D. 👨🏻‍💻🧬Dec 1
Life Lessons from (Very Old) #BowheadWhales
A #gene that helped #bowheads adapt to frigid Arctic waters also granted them extraordinary longevity. Could it help #aging humans?
Some #whales caught in late 1900s had old #harpoon points lodged in their blubber that dated to the mid-1800s. By measuring the molecular damage that accumulates in the eyes, ears and eggs of bowhead whales, researchers have estimated that bowheads live as long as 268 years!
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/10/29/science/genetics-bowhead-whales-longevity.html
https://archive.ph/lDfB1
Life Lessons from (Very Old) Bowhead Whales

A gene that helped bowheads adapt to frigid Arctic waters also granted them extraordinary longevity. Could it help aging humans become more resilient?

The New York Times
KaylinQDec 30, 2022

"As global warming causes Arctic waters to heat up and sea ice to melt, #MarineAnimals adapted to a cloistered life are threatened by the arrival of other #aquaticmammals and by increases in human activity.

The three #whale species that live in the #arctic year-round— #narwhals, #belugas and #bowheads—are particularly at risk."

https://phys.org/news/2022-12-cloistered-arctic-whales-bigger-climate.html#!

Cloistered Arctic whales face a bigger climate threat than polar bears

The tracking of cold-water creatures offers insights into the worrisome effects of global warming.

Phys.org