Researchers from Duke Health and the University of Minnesota studied small molecules in the blood of people over the age of 71, according to SciTechDaily.
The molecules are known as piRNA and may help show how the body ages.
The study was published in the journal Aging Cell and is based on more than 1,200 blood samples.
Researchers used artificial intelligence to analyze both health data and small RNA molecules.
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The results showed that certain piRNA molecules could predict short-term survival better than factors such as age, cholesterol levels, and physical activity.
Lower levels linked to better outcomes
Researchers found one particularly clear connection: people with low levels of certain piRNA molecules often lived longer.
According to the researchers, the molecules may be linked to the body’s immune system and its ability to repair cells.
However, they emphasized that more research is still needed to understand their exact function.
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The research team tested the findings on an additional group of older adults and found the same pattern.
Could be used in the future
Six specific piRNA molecules alone were able to predict two-year survival with an accuracy of up to 86 percent.
Researchers will now investigate whether medication or lifestyle changes can affect piRNA levels in the blood.
In the long term, the blood test could potentially be used as a tool to detect health problems earlier in older adults.
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Sources: SciTechDaily and Aging Cell.
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