There is one thing that no one can escape: death. It is a subject that causes, at the same time, true fascination and fear in people.
Researcher Jonathan Jong has compiled in theconversation.com a selection of amazing discoveries that science has made about death.
1) Science can predict the death of a person.
Rather, it is not that death can be - more or less - foreseen, but yes the life expectancy of a certain person. According to Jonathan, scientists discovered in the 60s that, contrary to popular belief, cells in our body are unable to replicate indefinitely and therefore are not immortal. But the researchers observed another interesting thing.
Telomeres, which are basically DNA sequences found at the ends of our chromosomes, decrease with each cell division, and when they become too short, cells stop dividing and die. Therefore, the researchers found that there is increasing evidence that telomere length can help us measure the life expectancy of humans and other living things.
Of course, as Jonathan explains, not all the studies carried out on the subject confirm that telomeres can be used as a "thermometer" to predict how long a person can live, it cannot even be said that their shortening is what causes aging or if this process is just a symptom.
On the other hand, if telomere length is associated with aging, if science ever figures out how to manipulate their length, then we may be able to significantly extend life span.
2) Thinking about death can have curious effects on our behavior.
A series of studies, more than 200 and involving thousands of people around the world, carried out over 25 years suggested that Thinking about death can have curious effects on behavior.
The investigation noted that thinking about death can lead a person to be more lenient about racism and less tolerant of prostitution, for example.
On the other hand, according to Jonathan, the research showed that Thinking about death can also awaken in us the desire to have more children, and give them our names! And it can even make atheists more likely to believe in God and life after death.
3) Sweet smell.
Everyone knows that decaying human bodies are not the most aromatic things on earth. The characteristic odor of a decomposing body is the result of a combination of more than 400 different volatile chemical compounds, many of which are common in other animals.
However, according to Jonathan, one study indicated that five of these elements are found exclusively in humans. They are organic compounds that react with water and produce acids and alcohols.
The most interesting thing is that these substances are also released by the fruit when it rots. If you ever hear a police officer or coroner say that death smells sweet and foul, you know what they mean.
4) Nails and hair DO NOT continue to grow after the person has already died.
Have you heard that nails and hair continue to grow even after death? In fact, this is just a myth, And what actually happens is that the body becomes dehydrated as the breakdown process progresses. So with the retraction of the skin and other tissues we have the impression that the nails and hair are still growing, but it is an optical illusion.