Science Magazine Podcast Testing whales’ hearing, and mapping clusters of extreme longevity
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Nov 21, 2024 Ignacio Amigo, a freelance science journalist, dives into the mysteries of blue zones, regions celebrated for their extreme longevity. He questions whether genetics, lifestyle, or even data inaccuracies drive these claims. Dorian Houser, director of conservation biology at the National Marine Mammal Foundation, reveals groundbreaking findings on juvenile minke whales' hearing. Surprisingly, these whales have more sensitive hearing than expected, which raises important concerns about the impacts of ocean noise pollution on their survival.
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Blue Zones
- So-called blue zones are regions with a high number of centenarians.
- Researchers debate whether this is due to genetics, lifestyle, or data errors.
Origin of "Blue Zone"
- Demographer Michel Poulin validated centenarian records in Sardinia, originating the term "blue zone".
- Blue dots on a map marking validated centenarians clustered together, hence the name.
Genetics and Longevity
- Researchers initially believed genetics played a significant role in the longevity of blue zone residents.
- However, studies have not identified specific genes solely responsible for this phenomenon.