Imagine being alive and thriving, around to celebrate your 117th birthday and leave behind a legacy that’s more than just a world record and a lesson in longevity! Maria Branyas Morera was the world’s oldest person when she died at 117 years old in August 2024. She attracted scientific interest not just because she broke records and survived historic events, but because researchers believed her body might hold secrets about what allows humans to live extremely long lives. Now, a recent scientific study used many modern tools — genetics, microbiome analysis, biological “clocks,” immune profiling, and more — to study Maria’s cells and organs. The findings reveal both the typical signs of aging and surprising protections that appear to have helped her stay healthy far longer than almost

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