&imwidth=800&imheight=600&format=webp&quality=medium "What’s the secret to long life? Scientists believe three Brazilian sisters may hold the key")
Three Brazilian sisters have become a beacon of hope for scientists researching the secret to a long life after they set the Guinness World Record for the highest combined age of three living siblings. A team of scientists led by Mayana Zatz from the University of Sao Paulo are working on the DNA Longevo Project study, which aims to investigate the biological factors behind ageing. Experts believe that studying the siblings’ case could help in understanding why some people remain physically and cognitively resilient at exceptionally advanced ages.
Researchers believe genetics may hold many of the answers. The team hopes to uncover traits that help protect the body from the effects of ageing by studying nonagenarians and centenarians and comparing them with people who develop age-related health conditions earlier in life.
“Through DNA testing, we look for protective genes, and we know there are several of them,” said Zatz, who coordinates the university’s Human Genome Research Center. “The more people we have who live past 100, especially families with multiple centenarians, the more accurate our research will be in identifying them.”
The three sisters, Zulina de Deus Nunes, 103, Zoraide de Deus Mota, 104, and Levita de Deus Nunes, 109, were identified through LongeviQuest, an organisation that verifies age records around the world and partners with Guinness World Records. They reside in Rio de Janeiro.
Scientists believe that inherited factors may play a larger role in preserving health than environmental factors.
“When sisters reach that age, there is clearly a strong genetic component,” said Ben Meyers, CEO of LongeviQuest. “But because they live near each other, they also have a support network, with family able to help when needed. There is definitely a community aspect as well.”
Trending Stories
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
How fast can the Sukhoi Su-30 fighter jet really fly?
)
Did China ask its people 'not to respond to aliens'? Origin of bizarre claim on social media
)
MS Dhoni-CSK Fallout? Report claims failed stake sale talks triggered rift
)
Scientists reveal the SAFEST COUNTRY when catastrophe strikes the planet
)
Serial killer on the loose in South Korea's Jeju Island? Fourth body found in three days as more than a dozen people go missing
)
2/3rd of glacier detached, collapsed: ISRO satellite images reveal what triggered Nepal floods
)
Trump once again claims without him there would be ‘no Israel right now’
)
Foreign espionage attacks against German companies surge to 37%, Bitkom report reveals
)
Blake Lively wins partial legal fee from Justin Baldoni after $8M request
)
Why is Pakistan deploying Turkish Bayraktar TB2 drones near India border?
)
'OH MY GOD! We've found other agents!': Investigators discover not one or two, almost 700 OpenAI AI agents went rogue, hacked Hugging Face
)
Lunar eclipse 2026: India timings, places to see and more. August Blood moon factsheet
)
RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat on global outreach tour
)
Both pilots killed as training aircraft crashes in Lucknow – What we know
)
16-year-old charged with preparing terror attack on kindergarten in Norway
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
How the S-400 protects itself from enemy attacks
)
Nepal floods: Over 165 dead, 400 missing; US, India, China, World Bank mobilise aid
)
India's multi-layered watch: The new surveillance war
)
5 doomsday planes spotted in US skies hours after CIA director's secret trip to Russia
)
9/11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed to finally face trial in 2028, nearly 27 years after horrific attacks
)
Islamabad hospital fire: What we know about one of the biggest facility that housed Imran Khan
)
Workers run for life while filming Nepal flash flood: Scary new visuals emerge from Rasuwa
)
Russian military planes enter South Korean air defence zone amid rising tensions with North Korea: What's happening
)
Ron Weasley Is Back! Rupert Grint set to return to Harry Potter universe on Broadway
)
400-year-old 'vampire' grave in Poland reveals non-existent genetic lineage
)
Dolly Parton, global icon and queen of country music, dies at 80
)
Nepal flash floods: Kailash Mansarovar yatra affected, close to 400 pilgrims out of contact
)
'If he is dead, they're putting on a pretty good show': Trump casts fresh doubt over Mojtaba Khamenei's fate
)
Man arrested near US Capitol with guillotine in pickup truck: What happened?
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Why the Su-30MKI cockpit is painted bright turquoise green
The three women have attributed their longevity to simple habits like following a healthy diet and an active lifestyle rather than any secret formula. Recalling their childhood, Zulina said that she spent a lot of time swimming and fishing in rivers. “Everything was fresh. We didn’t have a refrigerator,” she said.
Zoraide added, “Breastfeeding is incredibly important.”
Each sister followed a different path through life. Levita worked in crafts before joining a television network, Zoraide built a career in nursing while raising five children, and Zulina devoted herself to caring for her six children and family.
“I had a good childhood and adolescence. I can’t complain,” Levita said.
Researchers aim to determine how genetic traits may help preserve heart health, muscle strength and cognitive abilities as people grow older.
The study’s goal “is to reach 500 centenarians so we can draw more definitive conclusions about longevity,” said researcher Joao Paulo Guilherme, who works with Zatz.
