Scientists worked out the maximum age a person can actually live to after conducting study

Science and Health

In his script for the 1966 film A Man for All Seasons, screenwriter Robert Bolt stated: “Death comes for us all; even at our birth, death does but stand aside a little.”And you know what? He’s pretty spot on because the only thing that’s certain in life is death… and taxes, as the idiom goes.While eating a well-balanced diet, not smoking cigarettes and enjoying an active lifestyle may potentially increase your life expectancy, death does eventually come knocking.But thanks to medical advancements and documented economic growth the modern-day human’s life span is much longer than our ancestors.The Office for National Statistics claims life expectancy at birth in the UK from 2020 to 2022 was 78.6 years for males and 82.6 years for females.This beats out the US, where it sits at around 74.8 years and 80.2 years for males and females, respectively.But just because there’s an average doesn’t mean there aren’t anomalies, just look at Jeanne Calment.The Frenchwoman was at the ripe old age of 122 when she died in 1997, making her a supercentenarian – a person who is 110 years or older.While most people get nowhere near that, the question of just how long the human body theoretically can survive is one of science’s most pressing questions.Scientists believe they know how long the human body can survive (Getty Stock Image)In 2022, researchers from Singapore biotech company Gero and the Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center in Buffalo, New York, studied human resilience and the body’s ability to recover from damage.Using AI, they combed through the medical data of hundreds of thousands of volunteers to estimate a human’s maximum lifespan.Factoring in age, illness and lifestyle factors, they found that somewhere between 120 and 150 years, the human body’s ability to recover completely gave out, meaning that a person couldn’t really survive beyond then.Other studies into the science of ageing suggest the record for the world’s oldest person will probably be broken again by 2100, but not everyone’s going to be making it past Calment’s grand old age.Meanwhile, drugs which could try to slow down the body’s ageing process and theoretically let someone live for up to 200 years are being tested, but the idea that we’re all about to live to 200 is a long way off.The oldest person to ever live managed to make it to their 122nd birthday (Getty Stock Image)Of course, you could always hope that space travel advances to the point where you could move to another planet we discovered where people could live over 3,000 years.Although, that’s because that planet has much shorter years, orbiting its sun once every 2.7 Earth days.While you could technically call that living for plenty of years, by human standards it’d be cheating, and it wouldn’t make you live longer.Still, if you could make it to 150 that’d count as pretty good innings, and maybe by then we’d have invented a way for people to actually live forever – perhaps as robots.

County criticized after Indigenous history book re-classified as fiction 

Arts & Culture, Books

The re-classification of a children’s book on Native American history in a Texas library has caused an uproar among consumers, activists and library organizations nationwide.Last month, a citizen committee in Montgomery County, Texas made the decision to re-classify the children’s book, “Colonization and the Wampanoag Story” by Linda Coombs from children’s non-fiction to children’s fiction in the Montgomery County Memorial Library. Following weeks of public complaints, including an open letter signed by 13 organizations, about the decision, the Montgomery County Commission retracted the re-classification on Tuesday, moving the book back to the children’s non-fiction section of the library.Teresa Kenney, owner of Village Books in Montgomery County, said she was thrilled by the commissioners’ decision.”This move, to move it (the book) back into nonfiction was the right one, the only decision they could make,” Kenney told USA TODAY on Thursday.In addition to the book’s re-classification, the county commission approved the creation of a committee to revise the policy that created the citizens review committee and placed a hold on all committee actions made since Oct. 1. Established in March, the committee is made up of five Montgomery County residents who have the ability to provide oversight to the Montgomery County Memorial Library’s materials.Per requests made by community members, the committee is able to reassign material to a “more restrictive portion of the library” and remove material from library circulation altogether, according to the policy. The policy does not explicitly permit the committee to re-classify books.Published in 2023, “Colonization and the Wampanoag Story” tells the story of colonization in the New World from the perspective of the New England Indigenous Nations, according to publisher Penguin Random House. The book is intended for children ages 10 and up.The book was written by Linda Coombs, an author and historian from the Wampanoag Tribe of Aquinnah. She’s written several books for the Boston Children’s Museum’s Native American Program and worked for 30 years in the Wampanoag Indigenous Program, including 15 years as the associate director. Today, Coombs is involved in museum consulting and cultural presentations.Kelly Delaney, senior editor of Crown Books for Young Readers and editor of “Colonization and the Wampanoag Story,” said she is relieved by the reversed decision announced on Tuesday.”The book is part of a series, ‘Race to the Truth,’ which tells the true history of America from the non-white, non-European perspective. This perspective is new to a lot of readers, and it can make them uncomfortable, and that’s exactly why it’s so important that we publish it,” Delaney said in a statement to USA TODAY. “As publishers, we are committed to amplifying historically underrepresented voices and narratives. We will always support our authors in telling their stories and histories, and fight for the public’s freedom to read them.”Why did the citizen committee try to re-classify the book?Per the policy that established the Montgomery County Citizens Review Committee, committee meetings are to be held privately, so the committee’s decision-making process is unknown. However, which books the committee discusses is public information.Montgomery County Commissioner James Noack, who presides over the precinct where the library is located, told USA TODAY that he is unsure why County Judge Mark Keough, who developed the policy, made it to where the committee meets privately. USA TODAY contacted Keough’s office but was unsuccessful in connecting with him for an interview.In early October, Kenney filed a public information request to obtain information about what books the committee had received reconsideration requests about since March. It was through this request that she learned of the committee’s decision to re-classify “Colonization and the Wampanoag Story.”Noack said the committee received a request for reconsideration on Sept. 10 and met to review the book on Oct. 3. Kenney added that, according to the information she received from her request, the library was instructed to move the book to the children’s fiction section by Oct. 10.State, national organizations join public rebuttalAs the committee’s final decisions are not shared with members of the public directly, Kenney felt the need to shed light on its decision. Initially, she contacted Penguin Random House and the Texas Freedom to Read Project, an organization that aims to mobilize community members against censorship and book bans in Texas.From there, “it very much took a life of its own,” Kenney said.On Oct. 16, 13 organizations shared a public letter to the Montgomery County Citizens Review Committee, asking its members to reverse the decision on “Colonization and the Wampanoag Story.””‘Colonization and the Wampanoag Story’ is a carefully researched, fact-based account of the Indigenous perspective of the tribes of the New England area on the impacts of European colonization,” the letter states. “Moving it to the fiction section communicates distrust of material that reflects the truth of our American history. It diminished the legitimacy of Coomb’s perspective as a member of the Wampanoag Tribe and the Indigenous educators who recommend its use.”The letter was signed by the American Indians in Children’s Literature, American Indian Library Association, Authors Against Book Bans, Authors Guild, Every Library, FReadom Fighters, National Coalition Against Censorship, PEN America, Penguin Random House, Texas Freedom to Read Project, Texas Library Association, Village Books and We Need Diverse Books.Laney Hawes, co-founder of the Texas Freedom to Read Project, said she was “really, really happy” about the commission’s decision made on Tuesday, but she remains worried about decisions moving forward.”It is unconstitutional for a government committee to arbitrarily decide what is fiction and nonfiction. It’s not right,” Hawes told USA TODAY on Thursday. “We think it’s really terrifying for the future, because if the government here − it’s a government-appointment committee, so we’re going to call it the government − is going to declare these stories and these perspectives … as fiction … what does that mean for all perspectives that may push back against the political ideology of those that are in power?”What happens next?As approved by the Montgomery County Commission on Tuesday, the citizen committee will be put on hold until the current policy is reviewed.USA TODAY contacted the Montgomery County Memorial Library but was unsuccessful in reaching a team member for comment.Greta Cross is a national trending reporter at USA TODAY. Follow her on X and Instagram @gretalcross. Story idea? Email her at [email protected].

How Fracking Technology Could Drive a Clean-Energy Boom

Technology

From our collaborating partner Living on Earth, public radio’s environmental news magazine, an interview by Paloma Beltran with Jamie Beard, the founder of Project InnerSpace, which aims to kickstart geothermal power generation.

Earth’s crust holds an abundant supply of heat that can be turned into electricity through geothermal technology. 

So far, geothermal power generation has been mostly limited to volcanic areas like Iceland, where that heat is easy to access. But advances in deep drilling technology are revolutionizing the field worldwide.

In 2006, research led by MIT for the national labs pointed to the huge opportunity of this deep geothermal as an always-on renewable that some say could be a game-changer for the climate. And recently, the Interior Department greenlit the massive Fervo Energy project in Utah that should produce as much as 2 gigawatts, enough to power more than 2 million homes. 

Jamie Beard is the founder of Project InnerSpace, which aims to kickstart geothermal with drilling expertise from oil and gas. This interview has been edited for length and clarity. 

Explore the latest news about what’s at stake for the climate during this election season.

We do not practice parliamentary supremacy in Ghana – Political Scientist

Science and Health

A Political Scientist at the University of Ghana, Dr Joshua Jebuntie Zaato, has indicated that Ghana is not practicing a parliamentary supremacy system where the decision of Parliament is final.He says the ultimate power rests with the Constitution and the Supreme Court is the body mandated to interpret the Constitution.Speaking on the tussle that took place in Parliament over who occupies the Majority side, on TV3’s Key Points on Saturday, October 26, he said “we do not practice parliamentary supremacy in Ghana. ultimate power power does not lie with parliament, it lies with the constitution.”The Supreme Court on Friday, October 18 directed Parliament to recognise and allow the four MPs to continue to serve as lawmakers until the case is determined. This was after the Speaker had, on Thursday, October 17, declared four seats in Parliament vacant.The constituencies and the lawmakers are:1. Cynthia Morrison, the current NPP MP for Agona West constituency in the Central Region, who has filed to run as an independent candidate.2. Kwadwo Asante, the current NPP MP for the Suhum constituency in the Eastern Region, who has also filed to run as an independent candidate.3. Andrew Asiamah Amoako, currently an independent MP for the Fomena constituency in the Ashanti Region, who has filed to run in the upcoming election as a candidate for the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP).4. Peter Kwakye Ackah (Amenfi Central), NDC.The former Minority Leader Haruna Iddrisu had petitioned the Speaker to declare the seats vacant by invoking Article 97 (1)(g) of the Constitution which stipulates that a lawmaker must vacate their seat if they leave the party under which they were elected or attempt to remain in Parliament as an independent candidate. The Majority Leader Afenyo-Markin had filed a suit at the Supreme Court against the petition filed by Haruna Iddrisu.But the National Democratic Congress (NDC) lawmakers said that they would stick to the ruling of the speaker declaring four seats vacant, a ruling that makes them the Majority in Parliament.This is despite the Supreme Court order that stays the execution of the ruling of Speaker Alban Bagbin,

Afenyo-Markin demonstrated maturity in avoiding blows in Parliament – Political Scientist

Science and Health

The Majority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin showed leadership and maturity in Parliament last Tuesday when he called his side to step out of the chamber after National Democratic Congress (NDC) lawmakers occupied their seats in Parliament, a Political Scientist at the University of Ghana, Dr. Joshua Jebuntie Zaato, has said.Dr Zaato indicated that Ghanaians were concerned that they were going to witness brawls in Parliament again hence the action of Afeny-Markin was commendable.“Afenyo-Markin saved the country from that spectacle, he demonstrated maturity and decorum by pulling his forces back, he demonstrated maturity,” Dr Zato said on the Key Points on TV3 on Saturday, October 26.It is recalled that Afenyo-Markin indicated that the New Patriotic Party (NPP) is a law-abiding party and, therefore, will at all times act within the framework of the law.The NPP lawmakers therefore retreated to their offices from the chamber of parliament an awaited the speaker to arrive to commence proceedings.BackgroundOn Tuesday, October 22, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Members of Parliament occupied the side of the Majority despite the Supreme Court ruling that stayed the execution of the ruling of the speaker in declaring the four seats vacant.Addressing a press conference at Parliament on Tuesday, October 22, he said “We are law-abiding, we have heard that our colleagues say they disagreed with the Supreme Court, using unprinted words on the Supreme Court. Ato Forson led the Minority caucus where they told Ghanaians that today they will come and occupy our seats by their own proclamation. NPP, our tradition is a law-abiding tradition, our forebearers always used the courts to correct the wrongs.“Our leaders had always used civil advocacy and the courts to ensure that we get the peace that we have today. The country is hereby informed that we will not give that lawless platform that NDC is seeking, we will not give them that theatre they so aggressively seek to destroy our democracy“We know there are innocent Ghanaians going about their business, academia, and those struggling, we care about them we understand that there is politics but we must do it in a civil manner. we believe that we should quietly yield to them and wait for Mr Speaker.“Mr Speaker has been part of democracy since 1992, he is a senior lawyer, and even if he disagrees with the Supreme Court he knows what to do. The nation is looking up to Mr Speaker…this is a crucial moment for him to add weight to what we have done to preserve the peace, NPP is for Peace. We will not allow anybody to disturb the peace of this country, it is a notorious fact that we remain the Majority caucus of this house. We are leaving this chamber to our office awaiting Mr Speaker. That lawless theater we will not share with them.”The Supreme Court on Friday, October 18 directed Parliament to recognise and allow the four MPs to continue to serve as lawmakers until the case is determined. This was after the Speaker had, on Thursday, October 17, declared four seats in Parliament vacant.The constituencies and the lawmakers are:1. Cynthia Morrison, the current NPP MP for Agona West constituency in the Central Region, who has filed to run as an independent candidate.2. Kwadwo Asante, the current NPP MP for the Suhum constituency in the Eastern Region, who has also filed to run as an independent candidate.3. Andrew Asiamah Amoako, currently an independent MP for the Fomena constituency in the Ashanti Region, who has filed to run in the upcoming election as a candidate for the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP).4. Peter Kwakye Ackah (Amenfi Central), NDC.The former Minority Leader Haruna Iddrisu had petitioned the Speaker to declare the seats vacant by invoking Article 97 (1)(g) of the Constitution which stipulates that a lawmaker must vacate their seat if they leave the party under which they were elected or attempt to remain in Parliament as an independent candidate. The Majority Leader Afenyo-Markin had filed a suit at the Supreme Court against the petition filed by Haruna Iddrisu.But the National Democratic Congress (NDC) lawmakers said that they would stick to the ruling of the speaker declaring four seats vacant, a ruling that makes them the Majority in Parliament.This was despite the Supreme Court order that stayed the execution of the ruling of Speaker Alban Bagbin,Addressing a press conference in Parliament on Sunday, October 20, leader of the NDC lawmakers, Dr Cassiel Ato Foprson said that “We will jealously protect our new Majority status and will not bow, retreat nor surrender our lawfully earned status. We will also not abdicate our responsibility to the people no matter what! Nothing, absolutely nothing, will change this position!

Clovis FFA Veterinary Science team earns top 5 national ranking

Science and Health

CLOVIS, Calif (FOX26) — Members of the Clovis FFA Chapter can now add a national ranking to their resumes.The Clovis FFA Veterinary Science team placed in the top 5 in the nation this week at the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis Indiana.The team consists of students Emma Smalley (Clovis North Student), Navraj Sanhan (Clovis East Student), Leanne Chavez (Clovis East Student), and Sofia Vizcarra (Clovis High student).The team placed 4th out of 46 teams.The team was chosen to represent California at the national contest when they won the State Championship this past spring.[RELATED]Clovis Community’s submersible robotics team wins world championship in TennesseeStudents in the contest answer veterinary knowledge questions, diagnose and explain treatment plans for the animals in scenarios, and answer medical math questions.The students also work together and then present their findings to a panel of judges.They had to work individually to answer veterinary knowledge questions, select equipment and tools, and demonstrate live restraint and clinical skills, said Clovis FFA Advisor and Coach of the team Jennifer Knight.“The scenarios are examples of real-world cases that they would handle in today’s veterinary practice said Knight.All of the Clovis FFA members are part of the Animal Science Career Technical Education Pathway.Sanhan, Chavez, and Vizcarra graduated in June but returned for the opportunity to compete at the national level.It’s a great experience to learn and travel with our teammates,” Chavez said.We had a blast and will have this memory for a lifetime, said ChavezThe Clovis FFA veterinary science team previously earned a national ranking in 2016.

Anglia Ruskin University’s MA in children’s book illustration attracts students from all over the world

Arts & Culture, Books

The MA in children’s book illustration at Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) attracts students from all over the world – many of whom go on to win awards for their work. New Jersey-born Shelley Jackson is associate professor and course leader for the MA. Shelley Jackson. Picture: Richard Marsham Shelley, who moved from Austin, Texas, in…