There has always been fear of a massive asteroid cruising towards the Earth and wiping out the entire civilization in an instant.

It has happened millions of years ago—when dinosaurs were completely eradicated—and there is a possibility that an asteroid of such magnitude can enter the Earth’s atmosphere again.

There have been many films that have tried to capture such a catastrophic scenario and the latest Netflix flick ‘Don’t Look Up’ is no exception.

Just like the film, two scientists from the United States are running various simulations to analyse whether is it possible to thwart a 10km-wide asteroid from striking down the Earth.

The scientists believe there is a “technical” chance.

“We show that humanity has crossed a technological threshold to prevent us from ‘going the way of the dinosaurs’,” Prof Philip Lubin and Alex Cohen, both physics researchers at the University of California Santa Barbara, conclude in their paper posted this week on the Arxiv database.

The 15-page analysis begins by analysing the catastrophic events that could follow after a 10km-wide asteroid hits the Earth.

It says that the impact would have a similar energy to the asteroid event that led to the extinction of the dinosaurs 66 million years ago.

Allowing such an object to enter the Earth’s atmosphere could, in an extreme scenario, result in staggering atmospheric temperature rises of 300C, destroying virtually all life on Earth, the study noted.

They then discuss the options available with the humans to destroy the asteroid.

The first method is to pulverize it. This involves firing an array of nuclear missiles that would split the asteroid into smaller fragments that would either miss Earth entirely or be small enough to burn up in the atmosphere.

Radioactive fragments hitting the Earth would not be a major concern, the paper said.

The approach would pose political challenges, since testing the detonators before deployment would currently be banned under the nuclear test ban treaty, they said.

“In any realistic scenario of an existential threat, presumably logic would prevail, at least one would hope,” the authors write.

The paper overall paints an optimistic picture stating that averting the existential threat of a large, Earthbound asteroid is just at the limit of our technological capabilities.

“Ideally, we would never be in this situation, but better ready than dead.”

(With inputs from agencies)

There has always been fear of a massive asteroid cruising towards the Earth and wiping out the entire civilization in an instant. It has happened millions of years ago—when dinosaurs were completely eradicated—and there is a possibility that an asteroid of such magnitude can enter the Earth’s atmosphere again.

There has always been fear of a massive asteroid cruising towards the Earth and wiping out the entire civilization in an instant. It has happened millions of years ago—when dinosaurs were completely eradicated—and there is a possibility that an asteroid of such magnitude can enter the Earth’s atmosphere again. There have been many films that have tried to capture such a catastrophic scenario and the latest Netflix flick ‘Don’t Look Up’ is no exception. Just like the film, two scientists from the United States are running various simulations to analyse whether is it possible to thwart a 10km-wide asteroid from striking down the Earth. The scientists believe there is a “technical” chance. “We show that humanity has crossed a technological threshold to prevent us from ‘going the way of the dinosaurs’,” Prof Philip Lubin and Alex Cohen, both physics researchers at the University of California Santa Barbara, conclude in their paper posted this week on the Arxiv database. The 15-page analysis begins by analysing the catastrophic events that could follow after a 10km-wide asteroid hits the Earth. It says that the impact would have a similar energy to the asteroid event that led to the extinction of the dinosaurs 66 million years ago. Allowing such an object to enter the Earth’s atmosphere could, in an extreme scenario, result in staggering atmospheric temperature rises of 300C, destroying virtually all life on Earth, the study noted. They then discuss the options available with the humans to destroy the asteroid. The first method is to pulverize it. This involves firing an array of nuclear missiles that would split the asteroid into smaller fragments that would either miss Earth entirely or be small enough to burn up in the atmosphere. Radioactive fragments hitting the Earth would not be a major concern, the paper said. The approach would pose political challenges, since testing the detonators before deployment would currently be banned under the nuclear test ban treaty, they said. “In any realistic scenario of an existential threat, presumably logic would prevail, at least one would hope,” the authors write. The paper overall paints an optimistic picture stating that averting the existential threat of a large, Earthbound asteroid is just at the limit of our technological capabilities. “Ideally, we would never be in this situation, but better ready than dead.” (With inputs from agencies)

‘Don’t Look Up’: Can humans stop asteroid Armageddon? Here’s what scientists have to say

Ever wondered what’s the maximum attainable age for human beings in current conditions? Worry not, scientists have finally revealed the maximum cut-off age for humans.

A new study conducted by researchers at a biotech company based in Singapore called Gero has revealed that the maximum lifespan for human beings is 150-years-old.

In collaboration with Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Centre in New York, researchers from Gero studied medical data from participants in the United Kingdom and the United States.

What drives lifespan?

The researchers ascertained the number by collecting health and fitness information about participants along with blood samples. Based on such samples, they decided that one’s lifespan depends on two factors - biological age and resilience.

Biological age is calculated based on lifestyle, illnesses, stress as opposed to one’s actual age and resilience refers to one’s ability to return&nbsp;healthy levels after witnessing some sort of illness or physical trauma.

The findings were published in the journal Nature Communications on Tuesday and showed that between the ages of 120-150 humans completely lose their ability to be resilient or in other words, to recover.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/science-technology/mystery-of-lifespan-gap-between-sexes-solved-scientists-284154" hreflang="en">Mystery of lifespan gap between sexes solved: Scientists</a>

According to Andrei Gudkov, the Vice-President of the Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Centre, the study marks a “conceptual breakthrough”. “It explains why even the most effective prevention and treatment of age-related diseases could only improve the average, but not the maximal, lifespan, unless true anti-aging therapies have been developed,” The Independent cited him as saying.

The oldest person to live on Earth is&nbsp;a French woman named Jeanne Calment who passed away at the age of 122 in 1997. Coming in&nbsp;close&nbsp;is Jiroemon Kimura from Japan who lived for 116 years before his demise in 2013.

Even with the calculations, there is no recorded proof of humans crossing the 130-year threshold of existence. Do you think you could live for 150 years?

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/human-lifespan-has-already-peaked-climate-change-a-factor-report-26278" hreflang="en">Human lifespan has already peaked, climate change a factor: Report</a>

Ever wondered what’s the maximum attainable age for human beings in current conditions? Worry not, scientists have finally revealed the maximum cut-off age for humans.

Ever wondered what’s the maximum attainable age for human beings in current conditions? Worry not, scientists have finally revealed the maximum cut-off age for humans. A new study conducted by researchers at a biotech company based in Singapore called Gero has revealed that the maximum lifespan for human beings is 150-years-old. In collaboration with Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Centre in New York, researchers from Gero studied medical data from participants in the United Kingdom and the United States. What drives lifespan? The researchers ascertained the number by collecting health and fitness information about participants along with blood samples. Based on such samples, they decided that one’s lifespan depends on two factors - biological age and resilience. Biological age is calculated based on lifestyle, illnesses, stress as opposed to one’s actual age and resilience refers to one’s ability to return healthy levels after witnessing some sort of illness or physical trauma. The findings were published in the journal Nature Communications on Tuesday and showed that between the ages of 120-150 humans completely lose their ability to be resilient or in other words, to recover. Also read: Mystery of lifespan gap between sexes solved: Scientists According to Andrei Gudkov, the Vice-President of the Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Centre, the study marks a “conceptual breakthrough”. “It explains why even the most effective prevention and treatment of age-related diseases could only improve the average, but not the maximal, lifespan, unless true anti-aging therapies have been developed,” The Independent cited him as saying. The oldest person to live on Earth is a French woman named Jeanne Calment who passed away at the age of 122 in 1997. Coming in close is Jiroemon Kimura from Japan who lived for 116 years before his demise in 2013. Even with the calculations, there is no recorded proof of humans crossing the 130-year threshold of existence. Do you think you could live for 150 years? Also read: Human lifespan has already peaked, climate change a factor: Report

We finally know the maximum lifespan of a human being!

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‘Don’t Look Up’: Can humans stop asteroid Armageddon? Here’s what scientists have to say

We finally know the maximum lifespan of a human being!