The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines ‘longevity’ as “a long duration of individual life” or “length of life” but we all understand the limitations of such a definition when it comes to living fulfilling and healthy lives. The quality aspects are undeniable. We all desire to remain physically and mentally fit for as long as possible and avoid maladies and illnesses in order to stretch the length of a high-quality life to the maximum. Not only is this reflected in the global size of the ‘wellness industry’, which has grown by 10.6% between 2013 and 2015 and reached a formidable figure of $3.72 trillion, it also mirrors in the scientific research devoted to longevity related areas, such as lifestyle, healthy living & eating, nutrition and more…and a lot of this research goes on in Europe.
The European Research Council (ERC) is the first pan-European funding body supporting the best frontier research in Europe and the last weekend (May 6-7) hosted another ERC = Science2event in Gdynia, Poland. Two days of public activities carried out by the Science Centre Experyment were designed to introduce, enchant and captivate the public with the latest ERC-funded longevity research. Hundreds of participants had an opportunity to learn more about, for instance, the causes and prevention of Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease or the so called ‘gender paradox’, which posits that women are sicker but men die quicker.
With the ERC-funded longevity research in crosshairs, the ERC = Science2 campaign keeps busy. Before the summer hiatus, Ecsite members will run science engagement events in Spain and Austria before the campaign returns back to Poland in late June.
Find out more about the campaign and ERC-funded research on www.sciencesquared.eu.