- NATURE PODCAST
Nature staff discuss how animal studies are starting to uncover how DNA repair could prolong life, and how COVID-19 can reawaken dormant viruses.
By
- Shamini Bundell
- Nick Petrić Howe
Download the Nature Podcast 07 August 2026
In this episode:
00:25 Could reawakened viruses have a link to long-COVID?
Nature: COVID can wake up a slew of dormant viruses inside you
05:57 DNA damage can cause ageing, could boosting repair boost longevity?
Nature: Could mending damaged DNA prolong life?
Subscribe to Nature Briefing, an unmissable daily round-up of science news, opinion and analysis free in your inbox every weekday.
Never miss an episode. Subscribe to the Nature Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube Music or your favourite podcast app. An RSS feed for the Nature Podcast is available too.
doi: https://doi.org/10.1038/d41586-026-02488-3
Related Articles
-
‘Sleeping’ cancer cells in the lungs can be roused by COVID and flu
-
Longevity is in the genes: half of lifespan is heritable
Subjects
Latest on:
- Ageing
- SARS-CoV-2
- Diseases
-
Could mending damaged DNA prolong life?
News Feature
-
Somatic mutations reveal the ontogeny of microglia in human aging
Article
-
Could this mysterious disappearing organ hold the key to longevity?
News Feature
-
COVID can wake up a slew of dormant viruses inside you
News
-
Can long COVID be prevented? Two drugs finally show promise
News
-
Party pooper: grandparents’ COVID risk rose after grandchildren’s birthdays
Research Highlight
-
Exclusive: the science papers that patents cite the most
News Feature
-
More muscle, less belly fat: mutations to a gene are linked to wide-ranging benefits
News
-
COVID can wake up a slew of dormant viruses inside you
News