A newly developed blood test is showing that it can more accurately predict how long a person has to live by measuring elements other than an individual’s chronological age.

Researchers at the Yale University in Connecticut set out to determine the validity and effectiveness of a blood test that aims to measure a person’s “Phenotypic Age” instead of their chronological age.

The “Phenotypic Age” is different from the common measure people use because it is based on how old a body is according to nine different biomarkers.

The specific biomarkers used for the test were not identified.

In order to come up with accurate biomarkers, the scientists first sought to determine which clinical measures worked best in terms of predicting life expectancy after studying information from 10,000 people who participated in a study conducted from 1988 to 1994, The Guardian reported.

The scientists then took those earlier findings to identify the biomarkers they needed and they conducted a second study on 11,000 people between 1999 and 2010 to see how effective their test is.

With all the data in hand, the scientists concluded that if a person’s “Phenotypic Age” is significantly higher than his/her chronological age, then the individual in question is at greater risk of dying young.

That finding holds true across different age groups.

The relationship between “Phenotypic Age” and chronological age is even more noticeable among those aged 20-39. Within this group, the chances of an individual dying increased by 14 percent with every year that “Phenotypic Age” was…

YouVersion is marking the 10-year anniversary of its Bible app, which it says has now been downloaded on over 330 million devices around the world.

Since its launch on July 10, 2008 by Life.Church in the U.S., 70 billion chapters of the Bible have been read, 12 billion audio chapters have been listened to, and 2.4 billion Bible plan days have been completed.

“We never could have predicted the results we’ve seen as millions of people around the world have read, listened to, shared, and interacted with the Bible and each other in new ways,” said Bobby Gruenewald, Life.Church pastor, innovation leader and YouVersion founder.

“Early on, we discovered that proximity helped us engage with the Bible. As soon as I had access to the Bible on the phone that’s always in my pocket, my connection to it naturally became more frequent.”

The app has seen massive growth. Back in 2008, it offered 15 versions and only two languages of the Bible. But through its partnerships with Bible societies, it now has over 1,700 different versions of the Bible in more than 1,200 languages.

The popular app has stayed up to date with smartphone innovations and has introduced new ways for the Bible to reach people in their everyday…

Crystal Champ and her previously unborn child were not in a good situation merely months ago, but a chance encounter with an Albuquerque police officer has changed their lives for the better.

Champ was behind a convenience store seemingly set to shoot up heroin together with a companion when Albuquerque police officer Ryan Holets walked over to them. She was pregnant at that time. The encounter led to numerous life-changing events — both for Champ and Holets.

Champ gave birth to a baby girl not long after the meeting and the baby was adopted by Ryan and his wife, Rebecca.

Holets, who already had four children, felt “led by God to take the chance.” 

“God brought us all together,” he said, according to CNN. “I really don’t have any other way to explain it.”

Rebecca told CNN that the baby, who they have named Hope, is now “very healthy” and “very strong.”

As for Champ, she too has been doing well in the aftermath of her encounter with officer Holets.

The Florida treatment center Mending Fences took in Champ after seeing the initial report from CNN last year. Since then, Champ has spent most of her time receiving patient therapy and caring for injured horses at the center.

Champ has progressed remarkably at the center and has since graduated from the treatment program. She now uses her time helping others overcome the same demons she was dealing with not too long ago. She is also currently looking for work.

Champ is well aware of the progress she has made but she acknowledges that she is powerless over…