Bowhead whales can live for more than 200 years – this protein might be why

<h2>00:47 How bowhead whales live so long</h2><p>Researchers have uncovered a protein that enhances DNA repair and may explain how bowhead whales can live more than 200 years. The protein, cold-induced RNA-binding protein, was shown to enhance repair of double stranded DNA breaks, a particularly troublesome kind of damage. The team showed that this protein could also extend the lives of&nbsp;<em>Drosophila&nbsp;</em>flies and enhance repair in human cells. More needs to be understood about how this protein works, but the researchers hope that it could, one day, help prevent cancer and ageing in humans.</p><br><p><em>Research Article:&nbsp;</em><a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-025-09694-5" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><em>Firsanov et al.</em></a></p><p><em>News:&nbsp;</em><a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-025-03511-9" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><em>This whale lives for centuries: its secret could help to extend human lifespan</em>...