June 14, 2012 | News | Rostock´s Eleven

Male and Female: a Paradox unto Death

Men die earlier than women. But that was not always so, as long ago it was women who died earlier. Why that is and what has changed - these are questions addressed by MPIDR-scientist Svenja Weise. At Rostock's Eleven, she presents her results to scientific journalists from all over Germany.

Death knows no Equal Opportunities: Men die earlier than women. Ancient skeletal remains, however, show that back then women died earlier than men. For thousands of years they were apparently disadvantaged, sacrificing their lives for their offspring as frequent births and (coupled with) short spacing claimed the lives of many of them. But when and why did they start to live longer than God's Gift to Women? Svena Weise investigates the skeletons of more than 20.000 dead people: In the middle of the second millenium, birth's deadly impact apparently waned (began to wane). And men? They turn out be the weaker sex since then.

About Rostock's Eleven

Rostock's Eleven is a joint initiative of all research institutions in Rostock: eleven young scientists from eleven research institutes in Rostock present the results of their research to young scientific journalists from all over Germany. At the close of the event, the best presentation will receive a price.