Key points from article :
Sources that inflict oxidative stress on cells cause shortening of telomeres.
This is conclusive evidence that oxidative stress acting on telomeres can hasten cellular ageing.
Light activated molecules that can latch on to the telomeres were used to give dose-controlled oxidative stress.
Telomeres in cultured cancer cells shortened with each cell division despite repair efforts.
Prospect of interventions that protect telomeres in normal cells and target telomeres in cancer cells.
Research by University of Pittsburgh, published in the journal Molecular Cell.
