WEIRD STUFF

115-year-old is world's oldest person

A 115-year-old British woman has become the world's oldest person.

Ethel Caterham reached the milestone after the passing of Brazilian nun, Sister Inah Canabarro Lucas, at the age of 116 last Wednesday.

Caterham, who lives at a care home in Surrey, was born on August 21, 1909 and is the last surviving subject of Edward VII -- the eldest son of Queen Victoria who reigned on the British throne from 1901 until 1910.

She has also lived through the sinking of the Titanic, the Russian Revolution, and both World Wars.

Caterham celebrated her 115th birthday last August and credited her long life to "never arguing with anyone".

A spokesperson for Hallmark Lakeview Luxury Care Home, where Catherham resides, said: "What an incredible milestone and a true testament to a life well-lived.

"Your strength, spirit and wisdom are an inspiration to us all. Here's to celebrating your remarkable journey."

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The world needs more babies

Women in the UK need to start having double the number of babies, to save the human race.

Experts claim that the minimum required to avoid extinction is 2.7 babies per woman worldwide, but Britain's average is only 1.44.

The global figure is an estimated 2.3.

Diane Cuaresma, author of the study in Japan, explained that the figure needed to spare humanity is higher than the long-held rate of 2.1 to account for early deaths and childless women.

She said: "Since fertility rates are below this in developed countries, almost all family lineages are destined to go extinct."

Maverick tech mogul Elon Musk -- who is said to have fathered 14 children -- has frequently urged people around the world to start having more babies.

The Tesla billionaire said in 2022: "Population collapse due to low birth rates is a much bigger risk to civilisation than global warming."

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Fish and chips hurting planet

Ditching fish and chips could help save the planet, according to scientists.

The boffins are calling for people to stop scoffing down the British staple dish because Atlantic cod, skate, black seabream and red gurnard are key to maintaining the seabed.

Findings from the Convex Seascape Survey -- which looked into what fish do in bioturbation, which sees sediments or soils be altered of mixed by living organisms -- showed that 120 of the 185 fish species that help maintain the seabed's good health were being taken out of the water.

Doc sounds suncream warning

Storing suncream in a bathroom may increase people's risks of getting skin cancer.

Dr Ed Robinson has advised people to store their Sun Protection Factor (SPF) in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight and extreme temperatures.

This is because hot temperatures, as well as steam from showers and baths, can cause the ingredients, that help protect people's skin, to get broken down and, therefore, become less effective.

He also stressed that people must check the suncream to see if there is a change in its texture -- such as it being runny or lumpy, which can cause "patchy" protection -- before applying it to the skin

He said: "Using degraded SPF means you are not getting the full protection advertised on the bottle.

"This increases your risk of sunburn, premature ageing, and, more seriously, skin cancer.

"In some cases, broken-down ingredients can cause skin irritation or allergic reactions."