A team of researchers got participants to work up a sweat in order to figure out how much exercise it takes to reverse heart aging by as much as 20 years.

Lots of us have probably made New Years’ resolutions to work out more, but how much exercise do you need to really have an impact on your ticker – and is it ever too late to start?

If you’re currently sat on your sofa, munching your way through a bag of chips and convincing yourself that you’ve already ruined your resolution, then you’ll be glad to hear that the answer is no.

There’s still time to exercise! (Getty Stock Photo)

In fact, a 2018 study published in the journal Circulation found that people in their late middle age can still take steps to dramatically increase heart health; all it takes is a bit of dedication.

In the study, researchers gathered 53 people between the ages of 45 and 64 who were all healthy but had no regular history of exercise in their daily routines, and instead lead a mostly sedentary life.

The participants were split into two groups, one of which followed a routine involving yoga, weight and balance training, while the other took on aerobic exercises which escalated in intensity over two years. Both groups trained multiple times a week.

In the aerobics group, participants had a weekly aerobic session involving a sport such as running or dancing, as well as having to perform four sets of exercises for four minutes each, followed by three minutes of active recovery. The exercises were designed at 95 percent of the participants’ maximum heart rates.

The study found heart age reversed by decades (Getty Stock Photo)

On top of these workouts, the aerobic group did moderate exercise two to three days a week.

The study concluded that both groups were doing well after the two years, but the aerobic exercise group saw an 18 percent improvement in their maximum oxygen intake during exercise, and a 25 percent improvement in the ‘plasticity’ of the walls of the heart’s left ventricle.

As a person ages the walls of the heart tend to harden, so an increased plasticity is an indicator of improved health.

Dr Benjamin Levine, lead author of the study, stressed the importance of the findings as he said: “We found what we believe to be the optimal dose of the right kind of exercise, which is four to five times a week, and the ‘sweet spot’ in time, when the heart risk from a lifetime of sedentary behaviour can be improved – which is late-middle age…

“The result was a reversal of decades of a sedentary lifestyle on the heart for most of the study participants.”

Dr. Rhonda Patrick, who has a PhD in biomedical science and shares tips about fitness on her FoundMyFitness podcast, cited this study as she said the exercise was able to ‘reverse the ageing of their hearts by as much as 20 years’.

Scientists have claimed redheads can feel pain differently and even have more sex.

Apparently, there are more reasons to envy women with naturally red hair aside from their gorgeous lock,s as scientists have claimed they experience pleasure and pain differently than those with other hair colors.

Professor Irene Tracey, the vice-chancellor of the University of Oxford, has lifted the lid on why redheads reap these additional benefits on the Radio 4 Today program.

Scientists have revealed women with red hair have a different tolerance for pain (Getty Images)

The leading neuroscientist, known as the ‘Queen of Pain’, noted how everyone has a different pain threshold, describing it as an individualized experience that is tough to study.

She said: “Pain is subjective, it’s a private experience that you can’t really objectify, it’s an oddity in its own self.

“The holy grail is to eradicate what we call bad pain, chronic pain, and actually target it at the right level and remove that suffering for patients. You don’t want to remove the good pain but you do want to eradicate the bad pain.”

However, the professor added that studies suggest people with ginger hair have been found to experience things like pain tolerance and sensitivity differently.

“There’s often a comment about women with ginger hair, versus not, having that different genetic basis for how they experience the threshold for pain,” Tracey said.

The ‘Queen of Pain’ said pain is an individual experience but redheads might experience it differently (Footsteps Festival/YouTube)

The claims come as redheads, estimated to be around two to six percent of the US population, have a variant of the melanocortin-1 receptor (MC1R) gene.

This gene controls the production of melanin, the pigment that gives skin, eyes and hair its color.

People with red hair also produce mostly pheomelanin, explaining their likelihood of freckles and fair skin that makes them prone to burning in the sun – and their sensitivity to touch.

People with red hair have a certain gene which makes them more likely to have freckles and pale skin (Getty Images)

A report in the medical journal, Anesthesiology, said the pain threshold of redheads comes down to their hair gene mutation which may be partially switching off a sensory receptor.

A McGill University study revealed redheads can tolerate up to 25 percent more pain than people with other hair colors, and also feel less pain when pricked by a pin, a separate Oslo University study claimed.

Yet while red locks have been linked to differences in pain processing, scientists have been unable to determine the underlying reasons.

But that’s not all redheads seemingly enjoy as researchers have theorized that those with auburn hair can experience pleasure differently, too.

Research suggests women with red hair might have better sex lives (Getty images)

A study from the University of Hamburg found women with red hair have the highest orgasm rate of all hair colors, at 41 percent, and have more active sex lives.

Researcher, Dr Werner Habermehl said: “The sex lives of women with red hair were clearly more active than those with other hair colour, with more partners and having sex more often than the average.

“The research shows that the fiery redhead certainly lives up to her reputation.”

The doc’s claims are backed up further by a 2022 Czech study which found ginger haired women had ‘higher sexual desire’, a ‘higher number of sexual partners’ and a ‘higher level of sexual submissiveness’, according to the Daily Mail.

Scientists have uncovered a skull fragment in Spain believed to be the earliest-known evidence of Down syndrome.

Researchers have been working to analyze an of ancient fossil, thought to be from a six-year-old child who lived more than 145,000 years ago.

The small cranial fragment in question was one of three relics initially found in 1989 after experts completed a dig at the Cova Negra archaeological site in the province of Valencia, Spain.

However, through new research efforts, experts believe the Neanderthal – dubbed ‘Tina’ – may have suffered from a congenital pathology in the inner ear that likely caused severe hearing loss, an inability to maintain balance and disabling vertigo.

Moreover, the scientists say that Tina’s community may have provided altruistic care and supported the young child since they survived many years after birth.

Speaking about the new findings, published in the Science Advances journal, study lead author Dr Mercedes Conde-Valverde, an anthropologist at University of Alcalá, said: “Until now, it was only possible to diagnose Down syndrome in fossil specimens through the analysis of ancient DNA.”

The fossils were originally excavated in 1989. (Science Advances)

She continued to tell the Daily Mail that the group has finally been able to ‘diagnose it through an anatomical study of the inner ear’.

Dr Conde-Valverde added: “This opens up the possibility of studying the potential presence of Down syndrome in fossil specimens and thus being able to document its prevalence in past populations.”

On the topic of altruistic care, she explained: “All known cases of care [in Neanderthals before now] involved adult individuals, leading some scientists to believe that this behaviour was not genuine altruism, but merely an exchange of assistance between equals.”

“The survival of this child, beyond the period of breastfeeding, implies group caregiving, probably more extended than parental caregiving, typical of a highly collaborative social context among the members of the group,” added study co-author Valentín Villaverde, a University of Valencia emeritus professor of prehistory.

To come up with the recent findings, researchers analysed the ‘an immature temporal bone’ found in 1989 and used micro-computed tomography to see inside the object.

A digital scan of the temporal bone showed a combination of inner ear abnormalities consistent with Down syndrome, as per the study.

Furthermore, the fossil showed a reduced volume in the cochlear – a fluid-filled, spiral-shaped cavity found in the inner ear.

A digital scan a showed reduced volume in the cochlear. (Science Advances)

The study suggests therefore that Tina’s cavity was much narrower than the average Neanderthals and therefore exhibits a similar cochlear volume found in 50 percent of children with Down syndrome.

Following the publication of the study, Dr Conde-Valverde said: “The discovery of Tina represents the oldest known case of Down syndrome and demonstrates that the diversity observed in modern humans was already present in prehistoric times.

“This finding ensures that the story of human evolution includes us all.”

While the fossil’s precise age has yet to be determined, the study participants believe the relic from the Cova Negra site is around 273,000 and 146,000 years old.

A psychologist has revealed there are five tell-tale signs which mean someone doesn’t like you almost immediately after meeting them.

Even before words have been exchanged, sometimes you can just tell the new person you’ve just met is giving off a bad vibe.

That creeping feeling that someone just doesn’t like you within minutes can be a hostile feeling to grapple, and you might be inclined to brush it off entirely as irrational paranoia.

However, it’s actually a pretty common gut feeling and could be a sign you’re in-tune with that person’s body language signals, but sometimes it might not be as obvious.

Psychologist Francesa Tighinean has shared five signs somebody doesn’t like you (TikTok/@francescapsychology)

If it’s something that doesn’t come easy to you, a psychologist has revealed the top five giveaway signs that mean you might’ve not made a good first impression with someone.

Francesca Tighinean, a US-based psychologist who studied in London, discussed the topic with her 1.3 million TikTok followers in a new video.

READ MORE:

BODY LANGUAGE EXPERT REVEALS HOW TO TELL IF SOMEONE IS LYING

BODY LANGUAGE EXPERT BREAKS DOWN JAKE PAUL’S MOMENT OF ‘RELIEF’ FOLLOWING MIKE TYSON FIGHT

Avoiding eye contact

She said that one of the easiest ways you can tell if someone isn’t your biggest fan is if they’re avoiding eye contact.

“This may suggest they are trying to avoid deeper connection or conversation,” she explained.

There are some obvious signs (Getty Images)

Pursed lips

“Number two, pursing your lips,” Francesca continued, explaining that pressed lips can be ‘a nonverbal cue of irritation, stress or disapproval’.

How they’re stood

Next, you can observe how the person is stood as the psychologist said their feet and/or body position can also give insight to how they’re feeling.

She continued: “Number three, turning their body or feet away from you. This can indicate a desire to disengage. They might subconsciously position themselves toward an exit or away from the interaction.”

Creating barriers

If your suspected frenemy is stood with their arms crossed, has taken a step backwards or maintains some distance from you, this could be a sure sign that they’re feeling uncomfortable and are setting up boundaries.

“Placing objects, such as a bag or crossed arms, between you can symbolise a need for psychological or physical space,” Francesca revealed. “Similarly, taking a step back or maintaining a noticeable distance can suggest discomfort.”

Not smiling

Finally, Francesca said that facial expressions can say a lot, adding: “A lack of genuine smiles or limited facial expressions signals disinterest or lack of warmth in the interaction.”

How to make people instantly like you

If you’re faced with these five signs a lot, Francesca said there are ways you can make people instantly like you.

In the video, she advises asking the person to help you out with a simple favor, call them by their name often enough and politely pause for a few seconds before responding.

She added tjat the wait makes the other person feel as though you’re being thoughtful with your response.

So, the next time you’re met with ice cold body language, you’ll know exactly what to do to turn a possible foe into a friend.