The body of Spanish woman Maria Branyas, who died at 117 in August 2024, presented an unusual combination of wear and protective mechanisms that surprised scientists. The detailed analysis of her organism identified typical signs of extreme aging, but also characteristics that may have contributed to her exceptional longevity.
Among the main signs of aging were very short telomeres, inflammation in the immune system and aged defense cells. At the same time, scientists found low levels of inflammation and a gut microbiome dominated by bacteria considered beneficial.
The study was conducted by researchers from the Josep Carreras Leukemia Research Institute, in Spain, and published in the journal Cell Reports Medicine in October 2025. The research sought to understand the mechanisms that allowed Branyas to live beyond all human expectations.
