Researchers (IMAGE) University of Rochester Caption Postdoctoral associate Yang Zhao and biology professors Vera Gorbunova and Andrei Seluanov. The researchers studied cellular senescence in naked mole rats. Cellular senescence is a mechanism in humans and animals that restricts cells from dividing. This is an important anticancer mechanism, but the trade-off is that it contributes to the aging process Credit University of Rochester photo / J. Adam Fenster Usage Restrictions None License Licensed content Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.