Greenland Sharks Named as Longest-Living Vertebrate; Some are Even Older Than George Washington!

By Carlo Monzon 12 Aug, 2016 08:52 EDT

A group of researchers have discovered Greenland sharks that are over 200 years old. At this age, this marine animals were able to dethrone the bowhead whale, which was previously considered as the longest-living vertebrate.

For the study, lead author Julius Nielsen of the University of Copenhagen studied 28 Greenland sharks that were accidentally caught by fishing boats. To determine the age of these animals, the researchers analyzed their eyes, since these have lenses that form when the sharks are still in utero.

Through the radiocarbon dating, Nielsen and his team were able to determine the age of the sharks.

"The Greenland shark's eye lens is composed of a specialized material - and it contains proteins that are metabolically inert," Nielson explained to BBC.

"Which means after the proteins have been synthesized in the body, they are not renewed anymore," he added. "So we can isolate the tissue that formed when the shark was a pup, and do radiocarbon dating."

Out of all of the sharks that the researchers studied, they found eight that were over 200 years old. One of them, a large female, was estimated to be 270 to 390 years old, which means that it is way older than George Washington, who was born in 1789.

Since Greenland sharks are known to move sluggishly and aren't aggressive in the wild, it's a bit surprising that they're capable of living up to hundreds of years, especially given the number of underwater predators.

But according to the scientists, their longevity might be caused by their size. Since Greenland sharks can grow up to five meters in length, or about the size of a minivan, they can easily scare away predators just because of their size, according to USA Today.

Aside from their built, another factor that could explain their long-living characteristic is their metabolism and movement. Since these animals are slow swimmers, they don't burn that much energy like great white sharks. This means they don't have to eat every day. The researchers even said that Greenland sharks could live by just eating a big meal once or twice a year.

Also, because of their low metabolism, they can easily endure the waters in the north, where they can be commonly found.

Survey: Hong Kong teens generally identify with traditional Chinese cultural values

In order an effort to promote traditional Chinese culture, the Chinese YMCA of Hong Kong, in collaboration with Macao YMCA, Guangzhou Suigang'ao Teenagers Institute, and the Teacher Chang Foundation of Taiwan, has conducted a survey on teens measuring their cultural awareness. They found that Hong Kong youths generally identify with and support the values of traditional Chinese culture.
Global Lutherans celebrate Reformation Day, ‘trusting in the power of grace in a merciless time’.
Yesterday, October 31, was Reformation Day, and Lutherans around the world held various events in commemoration. In Singapore, the Lutheran Church advocated for Christian communion, while the German Lutheran Church encouraged believers to face the challenge of “trusting in the power of grace in a merciless time.”
Many American churchgoers expect their pastors’ sermons to help them understand and address modern cultural issues
American churchgoers are looking for more than biblical explanation from their pastor each week. Many expect the sermons to help them understand and address modern cultural issues.
2.1M Korean Christians estimated at joint worship service to affirm family, oppose gay marriage, pray for nation
In the afternoon of Reformation Sunday, Oct. 27, some 2.1 million Christians gathered for a joint worship service from 2pm to 5pm in Seoul, Korea to “unite for repentance, revival, and restoration of holiness in our society.” According to organizers, an estimated 1.1 million joined onsite despite the bad weather with another 1 million joining online. The unprecedented joint worship service brought together Korean churches across denominations as they affirmed traditional marriage and family and
Willow Creek Community Church invites believers to write prayer cards for the next president
This past Sunday, Willow Creek Community Church based in Illinois invited believers to “pray for the next president” during the service. The church not only expressed its concern for the upcoming election but also emphasized the role believers should play in the process and the importance of offering prayers for the nation's leaders.

Greenland Sharks Named as Longest-Living Vertebrate; Some are Even Older Than George Washington!

Survey: Hong Kong teens generally identify with traditional Chinese cultural values

Many American churchgoers expect their pastors’ sermons to help them understand and address modern cultural issues American churchgoers are looking for more than biblical explanation from their pastor each week. Many expect the sermons to help them understand and address modern cultural issues.

Survey: Hong Kong teens generally identify with traditional Chinese cultural values

Global Lutherans celebrate Reformation Day, ‘trusting in the power of grace in a merciless time’.

Many American churchgoers expect their pastors’ sermons to help them understand and address modern cultural issues

2.1M Korean Christians estimated at joint worship service to affirm family, oppose gay marriage, pray for nation

Many American churchgoers expect their pastors’ sermons to help them understand and address modern cultural issues
American churchgoers are looking for more than biblical explanation from their pastor each week. Many expect the sermons to help them understand and address modern cultural issues.