Death’s Riddle: Scientists Decipher the Brain’s Final Signals
Defining death from a neurological perspective is challenging. It’s not an exact moment of transition from life to death, but rather a process spanning several…
Death News
Death marks the permanent cessation of all vital functions in a living organism, signifying the end of life. In biological terms, it occurs when a living entity can no longer sustain the necessary processes that are required for it to continue living, such as respiration, circulation, and neurological activity. For humans, the medical determination of death can involve criteria like the irreversible cessation of brain activity (brain death) or the failure of the circulatory and respiratory systems. Death is a natural and inevitable part of life and has been a central theme in the arts, philosophy, and sciences throughout human history. It raises profound questions about the nature of existence, the possibility of an afterlife, and the ethical considerations surrounding end-of-life care. Culturally, attitudes and practices concerning death vary widely around the world, encompassing rituals, mourning behaviors, and memorial practices that reflect differing beliefs about the afterlife and the significance of life and death.
Decomposed and Forgotten: England’s Disturbing Trend in Unnoticed Deaths
An exploratory study has identified a worrying trend in England and Wales: an increasing number of people are being found deceased and decomposed. This study,…
Death Redefined: Expert Urges Overhaul of the Controversial U.S. “Death Act”
After surveying the views expressed by 41 advocacy, medical, and transplant-focused organizations on the Uniform Determination of Death Act, a brain injury expert is calling…
High Levels of Certain Protein Linked to Increased Risk of Death
Researchers suggest it might serve as a broader indicator of medium-term survival. Elevated troponin levels —a protein normally used to exclude the possibility of a…
Harvard Study Links a Variety of Healthy Eating Patterns to a Lower Risk of Premature Death
A Harvard study finds healthy eating patterns lower risk of premature death. Researchers discovered participants who followed at least one of four healthy eating patterns…
Lucid Dying: Patients Recall Near-Death Experiences During CPR While They Were Seemingly Unconscious
Detection of rhythmic brain waves suggestive of near-death experiences. Around 20% of people who survive cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) after cardiac arrest may describe lucid experiences…
Similar to a Near-Death Experience: New Effects of Psychedelics Discovered
Psychedelics may reduce the fear of dying and death, comparable to feelings reported by individuals who have had near-death experiences. Researchers from Johns Hopkins Medicine…
Reduce Your Risk of Death by Up to 31%: New Study Examines the Impact of Exercise
A study finds that adults who exercised 150-600 minutes each week had the lowest risk of death. According to a recent study published in the…
A “Mortality Gap” – Republicans Are Dying at a Higher Rate Than Democrats
A slowdown in mortality improvements among white Americans residing in Republican counties between 2001 and 2019 was a major factor in the rise in the…
Over 70% of Physicians Still Prescribe Unsafe Antibiotics – Which Can Be Deadly
According to a survey, more than 70% of doctors said they would administer antibiotics to treat asymptomatic bacteria found in urine tests, disobeying recommended guidelines…
10–20% Lower Death Risk From Just 30–60 Minutes of Weekly Muscle-Strengthening Activity
Lower risk of death from all causes and from cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancer, in particular. But no conclusive evidence that more than an hour…
Greater Risk of Death: Need for Increased Monitoring of COVID-19 Patients After Discharge
Hospitalization for COVID-19 linked to greater risk of later readmission or death. Large study in England suggests need for increased monitoring of COVID-19 patients after…
“Problematic Stuff” – Tradition of Keeping Mementos in Memory of Loved Ones Goes Back at Least 2,000 Years
Holding onto everyday items as keepsakes when a loved one dies was as commonplace in prehistory as it is today, a new study suggests. The…
COVID-19 Pandemic Drives “Massive” Decrease in US Life Expectancy – Largest Decrease Since World War II
COVID-19 has widened the life expectancy gap across racial groups and between the US and peer countries. U.S. life expectancy decreased by 1.87 years between…
We Cannot Cheat Aging and Death: New Insights Into “Invariant Rate of Aging Hypothesis”
New study finds fresh evidence for our inevitable death. A study led by Fernando Colchero, University of Southern Denmark, and Susan Alberts, Duke University, North…
Gap in Death Rates Between Rural and Urban Areas Tripled During Past 20 Years
Discrepancy driven primarily by an increase in death rates in middle-aged white people. Death rates among Black people remained highest overall, however, gap with those…
US Deaths Normally Change Less Than 2% Each Year – In 2020 With COVID, They Rose a Staggering 22.9%
Black Americans experienced highest per capita excess death rates, while regional surges contributed to higher excess death rates from COVID-19 and other causes, a VCU-led…
Pick Up the Pace! Slow Walkers Almost Four Times More Likely to Die From COVID-19
Slow walkers are almost four times more likely to die from COVID-19, and have over twice the risk of contracting a severe version of the…