I love the way in these sort of articles they say things like "May hold the key to aging". As if scientists will suddenly discover some magical formula that prevents aging and gives everyone everlasting life.
It would be lots more interesting to Parents if they said something like "May hold the key to maturity", where they learn how to stop a 17 year old from having the behavior of a baby. ;)
A school days friend of mine stopped developing at age ~17. Some very rare condition. Now he's about fourty and about to out-live his mother. However, there's no chance he'll ever live on his own.
Plenty of people live on their own at the age of 17.