Why do adults get shorter as they age? And how much height do they actually lose?

mind & bodyanalysisThe Conversation (Australia)

Why do adults get shorter as they age? And how much height do they actually lose?

the gist

Most height loss with age happens in the spine, a tower of bony vertebrae separated by water-filled discs. Over time the 23 discs lose water and structure, and each shrinks by a few millimetres, which adds up. The spine's natural S-curve can also exaggerate as ligaments and back muscles weaken, pushing the head and shoulders forward so you measure shorter. Changes can start in the 30s, become noticeable from the 40s and accelerate later. In one long-running study, men lost about 2 cm between ages 36 and 69, and women about 2.4 cm. From around 30 to 40, bone is lost slightly faster than it is replaced, and a weakened vertebra can compress or wedge, shortening the spine further.

how it works

Discs act like water-filled cushions between bones. As they dry out they flatten, ligaments slacken, and muscles that hold the spine upright weaken, so the column compresses and curves more.

so what

A little shrinkage is normal, but rapid or large height loss can signal osteoporosis or spinal fractures and is worth raising with a doctor. Menopause speeds bone loss, which helps explain why women tend to lose slightly more height. Staying active to keep muscle and bone strong helps slow it.

fun fact

You are slightly taller in the morning than at night, because the spinal discs squash a little under the day's weight and re-expand while you lie down.

The Conversation

Illustrative photo · U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Cor…, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

source: The Conversation (Australia) ↗

historyWikipediaclassic1336–1565 · Karnataka, India

Hampi was once one of the world's largest cities, until its Vijayanagara capital was destroyed in 1565

the gist

Hampi is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Karnataka, India, with more than 1,600 surviving remains spread over 4,100 hectares. It was the capital of the Vijayanagara Empire from 1336 to 1565. Travellers from Persia and Portugal described it as a prosperous, wealthy and grand city with temples, markets and farms along the Tungabhadra River. By 1500 it was estimated to be the world's second-largest city after Beijing, and probably India's richest at the time. In 1565 a coalition of Muslim sultanates defeated the Vijayanagara Empire, its capital was conquered and destroyed, and the city was left in ruins. Hampi remains a religious centre, with the active Virupaksha Temple at its heart.

how it works

The city was built around a fortified core with temples, markets and water structures along the river, supplied by an extensive network of roads and waterworks. When the empire fell, the city was not rebuilt, so its stone monuments were left standing.

so what

Hampi shows how quickly a great city can vanish after a military defeat, and how a ruined capital can remain sacred. Its ruins give historians a view of medieval South Asia that few other sites can match.

fun fact

The name Hampi comes from Pampa, an old name for the Tungabhadra River.

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia · text CC BY-SA 4.0

Image: Wikimedia Commons

source: Wikipedia ↗

2 min

politicsshortCNA2:01

False allegations about Singapore’s hand in Indonesia’s markets and a made-up meeting

from CNA

CNA Verify has found close to 400 posts pushing falsehoods tying Singapore to Indonesia’s stock market rout and to a secret meeting that never took place. Together, they drew nearly 12 million views, and some were circulated by accounts that appeared to be working in concert, across multiple social media platforms.

Here’s how the disinformation campaign targeting Singapore was uncovered.

on YouTube: CNA ↗