Compared to a lot of the other species we share our planet with, many humans have it pretty good when it comes to life expectancy. The average person in the UK can expect to live to around 80 years of age. That’s nearly 50 years longer than our closest relatives, chimpanzees, live.

Yet one question that’s been haunting humans for centuries is what’s the oldest we could ever hope to reach. Well, according to one recent study, the answer is 150 years of age — almost a full lifetime longer than the current average life expectancy. The research team looked at data from over 70,000 people, using computer modelling to come up with their answer.

But while the researchers took many different factors into account in their calculations — including how common age-related diseases impact longevity — it’s likely that this projected lifespan limit becomes less accurate the younger the person you’re looking at. After all, a baby born today will have 85 years of medical advancements to look forward to.

While voters at last month’s elections may have based their decisions partly on the long-held belief that the Conservatives are more economically reliable, recent research has revealed that Labour governments actually do a better job at tackling recessions — and perform with more consistency. Plus, we hear from an eclipse chaser on what to expect from the “ring of fire” phenomenon due to be visible in the UK this Thursday – and how to make the most of it.

Heather Kroeker

Commissioning Editor, Health + Medicine

How long could a human really live? Hyejin Kang/ Shutterstock

Is 150 years really the limit of human lifespan?

Richard Faragher, University of Brighton

Researchers think they've calculated the limit of human lifespan – but there's more to it.

The two-horse race. Chris Dorney/Alamy

Labour are much better at running the economy than voters think – new research

Alexander Tziamalis, Sheffield Hallam University; Amr Algarhi, Sheffield Hallam University

We looked at 100 years of Tory and Labour governments to see who was better at producing GDP.

Ryan Milligan

I’m a solar eclipse chaser – here’s what to expect from this week’s partial eclipse

Ryan Milligan, Queen's University Belfast

The vast majority of people will be oblivious to what's going on above their heads.

Science + Technology

Politics + Society

Business + Economy

Health + Medicine

Arts + Culture

 

Featured events

Affect, Empathy, the Body - on the borders of humanities and mental health research

Online, Birmingham, Warwickshire, B15 2TT, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland — University of Birmingham

Online: Nathalie Seddon & Cameron Hepburn in conversation: 'Evaluating and investing in Nature-based Solutions'

Online Oxford Martin School Event, Online, Oxfordshire, N/A, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland — University of Oxford

Trust, Authority and the Automation of Expertise, Caroline Bassett, Cambridge University

Online, Birmingham, Warwickshire, B15 2TT, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland — University of Birmingham

Research Festival 2021

Online, Plymouth, Plymouth, PL4 8AA, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland — University of Plymouth

More events
 

Contact us here to have your event listed.

For sponsorship opportunities, email us here