14 DAY TRIAL // In what might be the absolute wackiest science article ever to hit the public eye, a bunch of Norwegian scientists argue that your average guy's and gal's lifespan depends on what the Sun was up to on the day they were born.
That's right, these researchers claim that our Sun's activity patterns have a say in how much we humans minding our own business here on Earth have to wait until we finally get to shake hands with the Grim Reaper. Spooky, right?
The scientists argue that, having studied solar activity between the years 1676 to 1878 and the time of death of people born during this period, they found that those born during periods of solar calm lived longer.
Thus, a report in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B. says that, when compared to folks born during times when the Sun was a wee hyperactive, those born during times of calm died some 5.2 years later.
“On average, the lifespans of individuals born in a solar maximum period were 5.2 years shorter than those born in a solar minimum period,” the researchers write in the paper detailing their findings.
“In addition, fertility and lifetime reproductive success (LRS) were reduced among low-status women born in years with high solar activity,” they go on to detail.
The researchers believe that those born when the Sun is rather feisty tend to die younger because, during these times, the celestial body produces massive amounts of ultraviolet radiation, which can damage cells and even DNA.