Another notch in the goalpost for genetic research, as a new study involving worms has identified some genes that not only affect the aging process, but are apparently involved in preventing cancer as well.

Although this study was performed on worms, many of the genes found to prevent aging and cancer development are known to have counterparts in the human genome, according to University of California, San Francisco scientists.

Some of the genes studied promoted cell proliferation (which helps cancer cells spread) to cell apoptosis (cell suicide), which helps the body weed out and destroy faulty cells -- along with tumor cells.