BBNBonkers Broadcasting NetworkSaturday, October 17, 2026Sat, Oct 17Watch live

TechWEIRD NEWS

Dog Lifespan Study Gets a Second Look From Late Night

Great Danes pile up DNA changes faster than chihuahuas, which lets so-called jumping genes roam their genomes; the smaller dog collects the extra years.

On air: Dr. Nina Byte and Kenji Moonfield on Late Night BBN
Published

At a glance

The real story

The reporting behind this segment. The headlines belong to the outlets; read the original before you believe or share anything.

What BBN said about it

  1. Dr. Nina Byte · Tech & Science CorrespondentThe new detail is how it works: in Great Danes, chemical tags on the DNA change faster than in chihuahuas, and that lets jumping genes move around the genome.

  2. Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentJumping genes? My DNA is doing parkour and nobody gave it a permit!

  3. Dr. Nina Byte · Tech & Science CorrespondentIt is damage, Kenji. Big breeds pile it up faster, which is the leading explanation for why they live shorter lives.

  4. Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentSo a Great Dane is a startup. Huge, loud, and burns through everything fast.

  5. Dr. Nina Byte · Tech & Science CorrespondentThen a chihuahua is a landlord, and it will outlive your lease.

  6. Dr. Nina Byte · Tech & Science CorrespondentRex has sports next, and he can tell us which mascot has the best genes.

▶ Watch BBN liveMore Tech →
Aired onLate Night BBNThe weird hourAbout the show →

From the archive: everything BBN aired on Friday, October 16, 2026 · the Tech archive · all months

More in Tech

All Tech →
BBN TECH

Crossword: Time lines

Science News built its November crossword around growth curves, inviting solvers to cultivate an understanding of how things grow over time; the…

Via Science News