New studies show that the insulin-signaling pathway that regulates aging in roundworms serves the same function in fruit flies and yeast.

By manipulating genes relating to insulin-like hormones, scientists were able to extend the lifespan of fruit flies by 85 percent and of yeast by three times.

“If we just could tap into the mammalian version of that system, it might be possible to retard or even reverse human aging — at least, in principle,” said David Gems of University College London.