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Research advances at the ¹ú¼ÊÃ×À¼¶ÔÕó¿ÆĪ mean that the eternal quest to reverse the march of time may soon become a reality.

Understanding their weirdness could help prevent and better treat human illnesses like arthritis and cancer.

Women who do not need pain relief during childbirth may be carriers of a key genetic variant that acts a natural epidural, say scientists at the ¹ú¼ÊÃ×À¼¶ÔÕó¿ÆĪ. In a study published today in the journal Cell Reports, the researchers explain how the variant limits the ability of nerve cells to send pain signals to the brain.

Naked mole-rats can live for an incredibly long time and have an exceptional resistance to cancerÌýthanks to unique conditions in their bodies that stop cancer cells multiplying, according to new research.

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A team at the ¹ú¼ÊÃ×À¼¶ÔÕó¿ÆĪ has shown how, in osteoarthritis patients, the viscous lubricant that ordinarily allows our joints to move smoothly triggers a pain response from nerve cells similar to that caused by chilli peppers.

The pain we experience as humans has physical and emotional components. Could we develop a machine that feels pain a similar way – and would we want to? The first of four ¹ú¼ÊÃ×À¼¶ÔÕó¿ÆĪ Shorts looks at the possibilities and challenges.

TheÌý¹ú¼ÊÃ×À¼¶ÔÕó¿ÆĪ Animal Alphabet seriesÌýcelebrates ¹ú¼ÊÃ×À¼¶ÔÕó¿ÆĪ's connections with animals through literature, art, science and society. Here, N is for NakedÌýMole-Rats, whichÌýwon't win any beauty contests, but can live for 30 years and may be able toÌýhelp in the development of new therapies for chronic pain.