Short women may have long life

Tall people, irrespective of their gender do have an edge over their shorter counterparts when it comes to making a lucrative career. And it is also true that some statistics show that a good height ensures success in various other aspects of life as well. But all is not lost - there is some good news for short people too. Scientists at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University have found that a gene linked to living a very long life -- to 90 and beyond -- is also associated with short stature in women. So it’s likely that short women may have a longer lifespan.

Excerpts:
A gene linked to living a very long life -- to 90 and beyond -- is also associated with short stature in women, according to new research. Animal research had shown that mutations to genes involved in the IGF-I signaling pathway cause two effects: Affected animals have impaired growth but also longer life spans. Newly discovered gene mutations somehow play a role in extending the human life span as well that of many other organisms. Remarkably, the female children of centenarians had IGF-I plasma levels that were 35 percent higher than female controls.