Skip to main content

Live long and prosper? Experimental compound could slow down the aging process

There’s plenty of interest in life extension technologies in Silicon Valley right now. (And, let’s face it, probably the rest of the world, too!) While researchers have yet to find a true fountain of eternal youth, however, scientists at EPFL (Swiss Federal Institute of Technology) and the Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics appear to have gotten one step closer with the discovery of a metabolite of biomolecules which could help slow the aging process.

A newly published study in the journal Nature Metabolism showcases the promising properties of a compound called urolithin A (UA). This compound contains biomolecules that are found in fruits such as pomegranates. Although it won’t stop aging altogether, the hope is that UA could slow the aging process by improving the functioning of mitochondria, small organelles which float freely through cells to keep them full of energy. As humans age, our bodies naturally lose the ability to clean up dysfunctional mitochondria, thereby resulting in weakening tissues and a loss of skeletal muscle mass.

Recommended Videos

For their study, the researchers tried out the compound on around 60 elderly people, all of whom were in good health but living sedentary lifestyles. Participants were split into four groups, with one group given a placebo, and the others given doses of UA in either 250 mg, 500 mg or 1,000 mg quantities. This was continued for 28 days. The results showed that UA stimulates a process by which the body increases its mitochondrial mass. This is much the same thing that happens with regular exercise but, you know, without the regular exercise part of it. The study also demonstrated that ingesting a UA compound was no risk to human health.

“These latest findings, which build on previous preclinical trials, really crystallize how UA could be a game-changer for human health,” Johan Auwerx, a professor in the EPFL lab involved with the trial, said in a statement.

This is just the latest piece of research showing the potentially beneficial nature of UA. Previous studies have shown that it is possible to extend the lifespan of certain worms exposed by 45%, as well as giving mice better endurance. Sure, the lifespan of those animals is very short compared to a human (a nematode worm lives for just a couple of months.) Still, it joins a growing body of evidence suggesting that we may not have to accept our current predicted lifespan for too much longer. We eagerly await additional human trials in the future.

Until then, we guess we’ll just have to settle for the promise of robots looking after us when we get old.

Luke Dormehl
I'm a UK-based tech writer covering Cool Tech at Digital Trends. I've also written for Fast Company, Wired, the Guardian…
Sebastian Stan lays out Bucky’s future after Thunderbolts
Sebastian Stan in Thunderbolts.

There are some spoilers ahead for the ending of Marvel's Thunderbolts. Stop reading now if you don't want to be spoiled.

Earlier this year, Captain America: Brave New World briefly introduced a new direction for James "Bucky" Barnes, a character Sebastian Stan has been playing since 2011 in Captain America: The First Avenger. In Brave New World, the former Winter Soldier apparently retired from being a reformed hero and went into politics by running for Congress. Thunderbolts reveals that Bucky won his election to the House of Representatives. But his stay in Congress was short.

Read more
Jeep Compass EV breaks cover—but will it come to the U.S.?
jeep compass ev us newjeepcompassfirsteditionhawaii  4

Jeep just pulled the wraps off the all-new Compass EV, and while it’s an exciting leap into the electric future, there's a catch—it might not make it to the U.S. anytime soon.
This is a brand new electric version of the Jeep Compass, and being built on Stellantis' STLA platform—the same architecture underpinning models like the Peugeot E-3008 and E-5008—it looks much slicker and packs a lot more inside than previous versions of the Compass.
Let’s start with what’s cool: the new Compass EV is packing up to 404 miles of range on a single charge, a 74 kWh battery, and fast-charging that gets you from 20% to 80% in about 30 minutes. Not bad for a compact SUV with Jeep's badge on the nose.
There are two versions: a front-wheel-drive model with 213 horsepower and a beefier all-wheel-drive version with 375 horsepower. That AWD setup isn’t just for looks—it can handle 20% inclines even without front traction, and comes with extra ground clearance and better off-road angles. In short, it’s still a Jeep.
The design's been refreshed too, and inside you’ll find the kind of tech and comfort you’d expect in a modern EV—sleek, smart, and ready for both city streets and dirt trails.
But here’s the thing: even though production starts soon in Italy, Jeep hasn’t said whether the Compass EV is coming to America. And the signs aren’t promising.
Plans to build it in Canada were recently put on hold, with production now delayed until at least early 2026. Some of that might have to do with possible U.S. tariffs on Canadian and Mexican vehicles—adding a layer of uncertainty to the whole rollout.
According to Kelley Blue Book, a Stellantis spokesperson confirmed that the company has “temporarily paused work on the next-generation Jeep Compass, including activities at” the Canadian plant that was originally meant to build the model. They added that Stellantis is “reassessing its product strategy in North America” to better match customer needs and demand for different powertrain options.
So while Europe and other markets are gearing up to get the Compass EV soon, American drivers might be left waiting—or miss out entirely.
That’s a shame, because on paper, this electric Jeep hits a lot of sweet spots. Let’s just hope it finds a way over here.

Read more
Charlie Cox singles out his least favorite Daredevil: Born Again episode
Charlie Cox in Daredevil: Born Again.

Daredevil: Born Again season 1 was largely reconceived after the 2023 actor and writer strikes. Dario Scardapane -- a veteran of The Punisher series on Netflix -- was brought in to be the new showrunner and he made a lot of changes to the series that were well-received. However, there's one episode that Scardapane didn't really change at all, and it happens to be the least favorite episode of Daredevil: Born Again's leading man, Charlie Cox.

During an appearance on The Playlist, Cox noted that he wasn't very fond of the season's fifth episode, "With Interest," which was a largely standalone episode that featured his character, Matt Murdock, in a bank during a hostage crisis.

Read more