Global life expectancy has increased exponentially ever since the turn of the 20th Century, and the trend shows absolutely no signs of abating. As a result, scientists are speculating as to whether there is any biological age cap that exists at all.
A long-running study, which observed the lifespans of the longest-living individuals in the US, UK, France and Japan ever since 1968, contrasts with an analysis published in 2016 that proposes a natural limit to the human lifespan.
One of the researchers conducting the study says that by extending trend lines, average life spans could continue to increase far into the foreseeable future. The analysis published last year proposed that average human life spans will level off once they reach approximately 115 years old, but even if such a plateau does occur, it’s expected to be temporary.
Evidence of this can be seen in the fact that if the numbers were analyzed back in 1980, the analysis would have shown the average human lifespan plateauing at 111 years. This means that although statistical analysis tends to suggest a leveling off at some point, the top figure continues to rise with the passage of time.
Presently, researchers believe that the average human lifespan could reach and even surpass 150 years sometime in the future. This will be driven by new scientific and medical breakthroughs.
The debate regarding whether there is some sort of biological ceiling to the human lifespan is currently raging on, with one side saying that the biological evidence of longer life spans outweighs the statistics. Even the researchers that believe in the existence of a ceiling admit that they can never rule out seeing it being broken.
One thing is for certain – as long as wealth increases and medical treatments improve, average life expectancies around the world will continue to rise. It remains to be seen whether we’ll collectively come up against a biological barrier at some point in the future.
To date, no-one has lived longer than Frenchwoman Jeanne Calment. She was 122 years old when she passed away back in 1997, and was the last person alive to have met artist Vincent Van Gogh. The oldest person alive today is Violet Brown, from Jamaica, who is 117 years old.
If someone had said three centuries ago that human beings might live until the age of 100 one day, they would have been called crazy, but the trend that has been observed ever since the Industrial Revolution shows no sign of slowing down. How long would you like to live for?
Content source: Science Alert.
Images (including cover) by Deposit Photos.
What Did the Earliest Photographs Look Like?
Nowadays everyone has a camera, but take your mind back the time when photography was just a fantasy and imagine the thrill of seeing the first photos!
Science Breakthrough: An Immunization Against Skin Cancer?
This scientific breakthrough offers hope for those who are struggling with skin cancer. You are now invited to discover more about this revolutionary vaccine.
New Study: A Pill that Works Out Your Muscles?!?
New study shows that, though we are not there yet, a pill can and probably WILL come out that works out the muscles and grows them.
Alcohol Linked To More Cancer Types Than Previously Known
A new study found a clear correlation between alcohol consumption and more types of cancer than previously known.
Forget Apples! It's an Egg a Day That Keeps the Doc Away...
According to new research, it could actually be an egg a day that keeps the doctor away.Find out more here!
You Won't Believe What the Human Body Does in One Minute
How much do you think it is capable of doing in a single minute? Watch this video and you'll have your answer!
The Science Behind Why Laughter is the Best Medicine
They say laughter is the best medicine. But why exactly do we laugh?
These Things All Say Something About Your Body Or Mind
There are many things that you can determine about your body and mind just by looking at yourself. Here are 10 things that your body says about you.
The Channel Tunnel - The 7th Wonder of the Modern World!
The construction of the Channel Tunnel is said to be an impossible feat!
These Inventions Prove the Middle Ages Were Not So “Dark”
These groundbreaking inventions prove the Middle Ages were not so “dark,” after all!
I Never Knew These Stunning Facts About Our Universe
If you thought you understood the universe, you'll be completely floored by this insane facts.
20 Incredible Inventions That We Have Completely Lost
Here are some of the most amazing ideas and inventions we have ever seen. But, sadly, all of them have been lost to science in the mysterious mists of history.
Is There Any Way To Destroy or Deflect Asteroids?
Watch an interview with Cathy Plesko, a leading scientist working on preparing for the dangers of an asteroid attack
This Humanoid Robot May Join the Workforce Very Soon...
Meet Digit – a bipedal robot that's ready to join human workers at warehouses around the world as early as 2024.
I Bet You Didn't Have a Clue About These Human Body Facts!
The human body is the most complex machine known to mankind, but I bet you don't know these 10 amazing facts about it...
New Study: There is a Sure Way to Slow Aging
This new study confirms what has long been suspected: The less calories we consume, the slower we age.
Amazing Science: THIS is the True Scale of Our Universe...
Get a sense of the true scale and shape of the universe we've discovered so far.
Are There Universal Expressions of Emotion? Find Out Here!
Do facial expressions look the same and communicate the same meaning wherever you are in the world? Find out here!
The Magical Geometry of Crystals and How It Came to Be
How and why crystals are formed in such distinctive shapes that look like a human must have shaped them.
Scientists Finally Know Why We Love Cute Things
We find some things to be irresistibly cute. But why? Let’s find out.
8 Inventions of 2023 That Will Change The Way We Live
This year was a prominent one for ground-breaking innovations that will change the way we live.
Can One Photo Really Tell How Good Your Eyesight Is?
Scientists say that this single photograph can tell you whether you have good vision or not. Who can you see in the image?
13 Incredible ROOF INNOVATIONS For Your House
Keep the roof of your house safe with these incredibly useful inventions.
WHY is Sugar So Devilishy Addictive?
There seems to be a fascinating scientific explanation for why our will power is weak when it comes to sugar!
Let's Talk About Size, From Big to Huge.
an incredible discovery that leads us to a better and better understanding of these objects' true size.
The Curious Science of Tricking Your Taste Buds
Did you know you could confuse your sense of taste? Find out how!
The Oldest Medicines That Have Stood the Test of Time
Learn about some fascinating old medicine and general healing practices that have survived for thousands of years.
Chocolate Exposed! Here's What It Does to Your Brain!
Just what is it that makes chocolate so irresistible to so many people around the world? Find all of the answers in the article.
These Ancient Inventions Have Got Scientists Stumped!
Here are 12 items from long ago which prove that our ancestors possessed knowledge and skills far more advanced than we once believed them to be.
Sci Fi Tech: Jetpack Rescue!
Paramedics in Britain are being trained to conduct mountain or sea rescues using jet suits. Find out more.
Science Breakthrough: An Immunization Against Skin Cancer?
This scientific breakthrough offers hope for those who are struggling with skin cancer. You are now invited to discover more about this revolutionary vaccine.
This Secret Invention Changed the Course of WW2
Let’s take a closer look at the proximity fuze, also called Vt Fuze, an invention that changed the course of the second World War.
Science Proves: These 10 Bible Stories Probably Did Happen
The Bible describes many seemingly supernatural cases, but today, science can show that they might have indeed happened.
6 Remarkable Yet Overlooked Minds That Shaped Our World
These underappreciated geniuses deserve more recognition.
6 Signs That Someone is Listening on Your Cellphone Calls!
With technology advancing all the time, there is the ever-increasing chance of our phones being tapped. Here are 6 signs that your phone could be tapped.
Revealed! This Is How Far We Have Sent Crafts into Space!
Ever wondered just how far humans have sent spacecrafts into space? If the answer is yes, then this video is just what you've been looking for.
Are Smartphones Making Us Stupid? This Will Surprise You!
If you use a smartphone you need to see this!
Take an Incredible Tour of Our Colossal Milky Way Galaxy
Fly Through the Milky Way Galaxy!
How It's Made: Merino Wool
Long before we invented moisture-wicking synthetic fibers, this type of wool did it naturally for centuries. Here's how it's produced.
9 UNBELIEVABLE Ice Science Tricks That'l Amaze You
Prepare to be amazed as ice takes center stage in these mind-boggling and unconventional science experiments.
Toilets: The Greatest Medical Advancement in Human History
While toilets make some people laugh, they are actually a deadly serious medical advancement. This video explains what toilets mean to civilization.
Scientists Develop Wrap That Determines if Food is Spoiled
Scientists at MIT have developed a biodegradable plastic-like wrap that changes color when food goes bad. Find out more…
The Accidental Discovery of the World’s First Antibiotic
Not too long ago, it was fairly common to die of the simplest of wounds due to bacterial infection. Penicillin changed everything.
Revolutionize Your Green Space: 12 Cool Garden Gadgets
Take your garden to the next level with the amazingly cool inventions and gadgets.
8 Lies We've Been Told About Electricity
These incorrect facts about electricity have been perpetuated long enough. It's time to disprove them.
First US Embryo to be 'Edited'; Rise of Genetic Changes!
Could the first human embryos be genetically modified?
There are Some Great Secrets Found in Mathematics...
Numbers hold some great secrets - they even tell us about life!