In mice with different genes, scientists found 29 specific gene spots that affect how long they live — but these genes act differently depending on whether the mouse is young or old, and whether it's male or female. Some genes only matter at certain life stages, and some even switch from helping to hurting (or vice versa) as the mouse ages.

In mice, the genes that affect how long they live work differently in males and females — many of the gene interactions are totally separate between the sexes.

In mice, certain genes seem to link being heavier early in life to a shorter life, especially in males — but being heavier later in life is actually linked to living longer, showing that the effect of weight on lifespan changes with age and sex.

In older male mice, genes play a bigger role in how long they live — by the time they reach super old age, about half the reason one lives longer than another comes down to their DNA, not their environment.

Your genes might play a role in when you die — not just from diseases, but in how long you naturally live.

Scientists found 25 spots in the DNA of people with European roots that are linked to how long their parents lived — some of these spots are near genes we already know affect aging, and it looks like living a long life is shaped by lots of little genetic factors working together.