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Scientists use 'DNA clock' to estimate lifespan
DNA
Researchers found there was a link between early death and having a greater biological age than actual age.
Blood test offers clues about how long a person will live

A team of international scientists has identified a "DNA clock" that offers clues about how long a person will live.

During a person's life, their DNA undergoes chemical changes which can help scientists predict their age. Led by the University of Edinburgh, researchers compared individuals' actual ages with their predicted biological clock age.

According to the results, which have been published in Genome Biology, those people with a greater biological age than their actual age were more likely to die earlier than individuals whose biological and actual ages matched.

Scientists from Edinburgh, the US and Australia, carried out four independent studies on nearly 5,000 older people, up to a period of 14 years. Each individual's biological age was measured at the start of the study and followed up throughout using a blood sample and studying a chemical modification to DNA, known as methylation.

Researchers found there was a link between early death and having a greater biological age than actual age - regardless of other factors such as smoking, diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

Commenting on the findings, lead researcher Professor Ian Deary: "It is exciting as it has identified a novel indicator of ageing, which improves the prediction of lifespan over and above the contribution of factors such as smoking, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease."

Dr Riccardo Marioni, also from the University of Edinburgh, added: "The same results in four studies indicated a link between the biological clock and deaths from all causes. At present, it is not clear what lifestyle or genetic factors influence a person’s biological age. We have several follow-up projects planned to investigate this in detail."

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Birmingham Dogs Home makes urgent appeal

News Story 1
 Birmingham Dogs Home has issued an urgent winter appeal as it faces more challenges over the Christmas period.

The rescue centre has seen a dramatic increase in dogs coming into its care, and is currently caring for over 200 dogs. With rising costs and dropping temperatures, the charity is calling for urgent support.

It costs the charity £6,000 per day to continue its work.

Fi Harrison, head of fundraising and communications, said: "It's heart-breaking for our team to see the conditions some dogs arrive in. We really are their last chance and hope of survival."

More information about the appeal can be found here

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News Shorts
Avian flu confirmed at premises in Cornwall

A case of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 has been detected in commercial poultry at a premises near Rosudgeon, Cornwall.

All poultry on the infected site will be humanely culled, and a 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone have been put in place. Poultry and other captive birds in the 3km protection zone must be housed.

The case is the second avian flu case confirmed in commercial poultry this month. The H5N5 strain was detected in a premises near Hornsea, East Riding of Yorkshire, in early November. Before then, the disease had not been confirmed in captive birds in England since February.

The UK chief veterinary officer has urged bird keepers to remain alert and practise robust biosecurity.

A map of the disease control zones can be found here.