Indian baby boy with 34 fingers and toes sets new Guinness record

Jul 21, 2011

Bareilly (Uttar Pradesh), July 20 (ANI): Akshat, a baby boy over the age of one, registered his name in the Guinness world records for having a total of 34 fingers and toes.

He has set the record for having the highest number of fingers and toes and hails from the Bareilly district in Uttar Pradesh.

Amrita Saxena, the mother of the child, said it was difficult for her to believe that her son broke the world record, until a family friend convinced her.

"He (family friend) read on the internet about the baby born in China with 31 fingers. Then he said that my boy has broken the record of having 34 fingers. At first, I was not convinced at all. It was hard to believe that my son has broken the record. But later, he along with my husband and my younger sister registered the data in the Internet. Then I was asked to submit certain documents after which his name was in the Guinness World Records," added Saxena.

Doctors attending to the child informed the mediapersons that it was a rare phenomenon and diagnosed it as polydactyly.

"The person who is diagnosed with it is polydactylic. It is due to certain defects in the bone development of the uterus. The reason behind this defect can be either developmental congenital formation or chromosomal anomalies, which is due to maternal infection or drugs," said Dr. Parul Gupta, a gynaecologist.

Gupta further explained that this congenital physical anomaly could be easily cured by performing a surgery.

"Yes, it is absolutely curable. Mostly people go for plastic surgery. And sometimes when polydactyly is minimal, it can be cured normally, without an operation. And if there is a major problem, then people prefer to go for a plastic surgery," added Gupta.

Meanwhile Saxena was a little worried for her son's future. She aspires for her son to lead a 'normal' life and wants him to undergo proper treatment for it.

It is quite interesting to know that Polydactyly or polydactylism is also known as hyperdactyly. It is a congenital physical anomaly in humans, dogs, and cats having supernumerary fingers or toes.

'Shahnameh' to enter Guinness book

Sat Dec 11, 2010

The Austrian Academy of Science has suggested that the 11th-century Persian masterpiece Shahnameh be registered on the Guinness World Records list.

Secretary General of Iran's Ferdowsi Foundation Yasser Movahhedfar announced the news, adding that the Austrian academy offered the suggestion during a ceremony held in Vienna to commemorate Shahnameh's millennial anniversary.

The foundation has also produced an animation on the epic masterpiece, Movahhedfar said.

“Directed by Shahram Salemi, Nature in Shahnameh will take part in the 2011 edition of Eko Film Festival, which will be held in March next year,” he told Fars News Agency.

“The animation is an innovative work which is based on manuscripts from the Baysonqori Shahnameh,” he added.

The Baysonqori Shahnameh is an illustrated manuscript of Ferdowsi's masterpiece, which was calligraphed by Maulana Jafar Tabrizi Baysonqori in the Timurid era. The manuscript is registered on UNESCO's Memory of the World list.

Shahnameh (The Book of Kings) is a classic among epic Persian poetry and recounts Iran's mythical and historical past. It was written in Persian at a time when Arabic was the main scientific and literary language of Iran.

The romance of Zal and Rudaba, the Seven Stages (or Labors) of Rostam, Rostam and Sohrab, Siavash and Soudabeh, Rostam and Akvan Div, the romance of Bizhan and Manizheh and Rostam and Esfandyar are among the most popular Shahnameh stories.

Movahhedfar also announced that the foundation's other cultural and artistic projects such as holding discussion sessions with Shahnameh experts and organizing Naqqali programs.

Naqqali is an epic narration mostly inspired by Shahnameh stories.

Dating back to the Safavid Dynasty, Naqqali can be performed in verse or prose and by only one person, who presents it with a special tone and expression, playing the roles of all characters.

The foundation is also making a film on Shahnameh, based on a five-year research project, which will be screened in European countries, Movahhedfar added.

Source: PressTV.
Link: http://www.presstv.ir/detail/155027.html.

Turkish singer breaks speed record for driving blind

A Turkish man smashes record for fastest speed for a car driven blindfolded or blind, earning a place in the Guinness World Records.

Blind Turkish pop-singer Metin Senturk became the world's fastest unaccompanied blind driver on Friday in a 600 horsepower Ferrari F430, at Urfa airport in eastern Turkey and said he felt he had danced with death.

Guinness World Records officials said that his average speed of 292.89 km/h (181.99 mph) broke the previous record of 284 km/h (176.47 mph), held by a British bank manager.

The 44-year-old Senturk has been blind since the age of three.

During the record attempt, Senturk was given verbal instructions through radio by Volkan Isik, a former rally driver, who followed him in another car.

Senturk said the attempt was a project of the World's Handicapped Association, which he had founded.

Source: PressTV.
Link: http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=122286§ionid=3510212.

World's smallest man dead at 21—Guinness World Records

LONDON—The world's shortest man, He Pingping, who stood just over two feet five inches tall (75 centimeters), has died, Britain's Guinness World Records said Monday. He was 21.

He -- a native of China who had a form of primordial dwarfism and measured 74.61 centimeters -- was in Rome taking part in a television show when he suffered chest problems.

He was taken to hospital, where he died over the weekend.

Craig Glenday, editor-in-chief of London-based Guinness World Records, recalled measuring He in the northern Chinese region of Inner Mongolia in 2008.

"For such a small man, he made a huge impact around the world," Glenday said.

"From the moment I laid on eyes on him, I knew he was someone special -- he had such a cheeky smile and mischievous personality, you couldn't help but be charmed by him," he said.

"He brightened up the lives of everyone he met, and was an inspiration to anyone considered different or unusual."

Guinness World Records said it would announce He's successor as the world's shortest man in due course.

Khagendra Thapa Magar, 18, from Nepal, who is reportedly 51 centimeters (20 inches) high, declared in February that he is the rightful holder of the title.

Source: The Inquirer
Link: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/world/view/20100317-259127/Worlds-smallest-man-dead-at-21Guinness-World-Records.

Speedskater Shani Davis makes Olympic history

Shani Davis of the US has managed to earn the gold medal in the men's speed skating 1000 meters at the Vancouver Winter Olympics.

The 27-year-old world record holder clocked one minute 8.94 seconds on Wednesday at the Richmond Olympic Oval to become the first man to win two Olympic 1,000 meter titles.

The American athlete became the first African-American to win individual gold in the Winter Games in 2006.

"It's my moment. It's my party," Davis said of his victory laps. "I can celebrate. I can dance. I earned it," Davis said.

“Those last 200, 300 meters were very difficult,” he added. “I was just trying to carry my speed. I could feel it leaving me. It doesn't matter what it looks like, just as long as you get across the line as quick as you could.”

“When you're a world champion or an Olympic champion, you get this little thing on your back called a target,” he further explained. “To go out there and win the 1,000 meters twice is truly amazing.”

South Korea's Mo Tae-bum finished second in 1:09.12, while American Chad Hedrick took the third place in 1:09.32.

Source: PressTV.
Link: http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=118910§ionid=3510211.

Samal cave hosts record bat colony

By Jeffrey M. Tupas
Philippine Daily Inquirer

DAVAO CITY—THE WORLD’S largest colony of Geoffrey’s Rousette Fruit Bat (Rousetteus amplexicaudatus), one of the most hated and misunderstood creatures in the Philippines, is found in the Island Garden City of Samal, according to the Guinness World Records.

Conservationists say the recognition highlighted efforts to save the bat species.

The Texas-based Bat Conservation International (BCI) described the Monfort Cave bat sanctuary in Samal as among the few known to scientists. “If the wonder of nature still exists, then the bats at Monfort Cave are one of the very few left on Earth, particularly in the Philippines,” the BCI said in a report released in 2006.

Mariamarta Ruano-Graham, head of the records management team of Guinness, said in a letter to Norma Monfort, head of the Monfort Bat Cave and Conservation Foundation Inc., that the group took notice of the BCI estimate of 1.8 million bats living in the cave, which is inside the 24-hectare property owned by Monfort in Barangay Tambo in Samal.

New record

“You have set a new Guinness World Records … and a certificate to commemorate this is included,” Graham said in her letter dated Feb. 1.

“Although the certificate does not automatically guarantee an entry in our world-famous annual record, we do consider all new records for inclusion in future Guinness World Records publication and products.”

Monfort said the recognition gave importance to the bats and highlighted their role in protecting biodiversity.

“The role of bats in the environment and the ecosystem has been so understudied and undervalued, that you will be amazed to know that the diversity of many exotic fruits coming from the Davao region, such as the durian, has been scientifically attributed to bats as major pollinators,” she said.

“These creatures are friendly and are beneficial to the survival of the environment and the people,” Monfort said.

Urgency

She said the BCI’s assessment of the bat sanctuary in 2006 bolstered the validity of the urgent need to protect the mammals.

The BCI study, according to Monfort, showed an alarming decline in the population of the bats because of destructive human activities, including hunting them for food or just for fun.

Monfort said that in some areas of Samal, bats were still being eaten by humans.

The BCI team, she said, even found that some sanctuaries on the island had already been deserted by the bats.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer.
Link: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/regions/view/20100212-252886/Samal-cave-hosts-record-bat-colony.

Gamers break marathon world record

A dozen hardy gamers entered the Guinness World Records this week after successfully completing a grueling 24-hour gaming marathon.

For a day and a night, twelve gamers played EA SPORTS' latest football title FIFA 10 at London's Victoria station.

Braving the cold and the commuters, the team set the first endurance gaming record - adjudicated by a Guinness official - for their continuous button-bashing efforts.

The stunt was organized by Stryxa who run online FIFA football leagues.

After the event an exhausted Paul Spacey, managing director of Stryxa, said: "It really was a gaming marathon and Stryxa are now the proud holders of an Official Guinness World Record."

He added: "Everyone is shattered after 24 hours of non-stop FIFA play. We've actually been treating players for minor thumb injuries since the record was broken!"

Guinness World Records and Paladone Products Announce New Licensing Partnership

LONDON, January 26 /PRNewswire/ -- Guinness World Records, the global authority on record breaking, and Paladone Products, the leading gift suppliers in the UK, are delighted to announce a new partnership which will see the launch of the first range of Guinness World Records(TM) toys and gifts in 2010 and 2011.

The products, from juggling sets to bus-jumping motorbike kits, will be on sale in gift and toy shops from next summer across the UK. The combination of this globally renowned brand and unique quality of the designs look to inspire and encourage would be record breakers to join in the fun - whether it's breaking a record yourself or getting a true understanding for the feats of previous record breakers. Record breaking packs will also include a Guinness World Records mini book packed with records, facts and tips on how to be the best, and cover areas from circus skills to stunt jumping to chocolate eating!

Hannah Scroggs, New Product Developer for Paladone said, "For years Guinness World Records has been fascinating and inspiring people of all ages. With our range of products we are hoping to engage people in record breaking feats, and encourage them have a go themselves. Working with such a great brand is inspirational, and a perfect foundation to create a range of products that inspire 7-70 year olds to get active and break a record".

Beatriz Fernandez, International Licensing Manager for Guinness World Records said "Paladone was the right partner for us as they shared view of how serious attempts at record breaking can provide a lot of fun along the way. It was important to us that each product contains factual information on records and how to measure them, and links to the official Guinness World Records website and adjudication teams"

The deal, which was brokered by Start Licensing, will see new and exciting record breaking products available from the summer 2010 at top retailers in the High Street.

Brit scuba diver sets world record for longest underwater stay

London, January 23 : A British scuba diver has rewritten pages of Guinness World Records after spending more than two days underwater.

Will Goodman, originally of Borehamwood, Hertfordshire, London, survived being 20ft down for 48 hours, nine minutes and 17 seconds in the Indonesian island of Lombok.

The 32-year-old professional diver was fed rations through a tube and watched gangster films on an underwater iPod during the challenge in a metal cage.

"The first 24 hours were paradise, very serene and meditative, with rays and fish swimming past and lightning strikes illuminating the water above me," the Sun quoted him as saying.

But when Will, who now lives in Indonesia, surfaced, his hands were swollen, his puckered skin began to fall off and he had "nappy rash from hell".

He explained: "It felt as though my legs were being stabbed. I felt like I''d been bricked into a wall and my mind became distorted. All I thought about was having a nice cup of tea."

Source: New Kerala.
Link: http://www.newkerala.com/news/fullnews-36646.html.

Young Iranian footballer sets Guinness record

A young Iranian footballer has been entered in the Guinness Book of World Records for being able to roll a tennis ball from his foot to his shin.

The bid by Iranian soccer whiz, Mehdi Hob Darvish, to set a world record ended in success Friday after he proved he could juggle a tennis ball on his shin 144 times a minute in Dubai. Officials from Guinness were present when the record was set.

The Deputy Iranian Consulate-General in the Persian Gulf emirate of Dubai, Ali Naraqi, praised the achievement, noting that throughout history, Iranian youth have made quantum leaps in the realms of science, culture and sports.

Hob Darvish is currently training to set a world record of juggling a tennis ball for 10 hours straight on his shin.

Source: PressTV.
Link: http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=116271§ionid=3510211.

World's tallest and smallest men meet

The recently crowned world's tallest man, Sultan Kosen, meets the man who currently holds the title of the world's smallest man — He Pingping.

The Turkish farm laborer, Kosen, with height of 246.5 cm (8 ft 1 in) took over the title from Bao Xishun back in September, beating his Chinese rival by an incredible 10 cm.

The two — Kosen and Pingping — met at a ceremony in Istanbul on Thursday, January 14, to mark the launch of the Guinness World Records live Roadshow.

The tallest man in the world, welcoming the shortest man in the world to his country, said that "I was having hard times to notice him." The 21-year-old 73.66-centimeter (2 ft 5 in) tall, who hails from China, said that he was happy to meet with Kosen.

He Pingping is facing a potential challenge to his title, as his fellow countryman Wu Kang is applying to Guinness World Records, saying that he is under 68.58 cm (2 ft 3 in).

However, Wu is also considering hormone therapy which could increase his stature.

Source: PressTV.
Link: http://www.presstv.com/detail.aspx?id=116169§ionid=3510212.

Emma Watson Named Highest Grossing Actress

Dec 17 2009

Emma Watson is the highest grossing actress of the past decade.

The Harry Potter actress — who plays Hermione Granger in the wizard film series, which started in 2001 — has been awarded the title by the Guinness Book of World Records.

The 19-year-old star’s starring role in the six films, as well as her voice part in animated movie The Tale Of Despereaux, helped take $5.4 billion worldwide, putting the takings ahead of some of Hollywood’s big players including Julia Roberts, Halle Berry and Cameron Diaz.

She also boasts the highest average box office receipts per movie, with each of her films making an average of $897, 100,000.

Emma attended the open auditions for the first Harry Potter in 1999, when she was just nine, and had no idea what she was letting herself in for.

“I had no idea of the scale of the film series,” she said. “If I had I would have been completely overwhelmed.”

Turkish painter sets rare record in marble painting

By Ramesh Mathew

The Doha Exhibition Center turned out to be the venue for two Guinness World Records yesterday at an expo, being hosted by Qatar Islamic Cultural Center (Fanar).

Turkish national Ahmed Coktin, an expert in marbling painting, made a rare record when he made painting on a paper sheet, measuring 11× 1.5m, without mixing of any artificial colors or shades.

Coktin, who had earlier served as a teacher for several years in Istanbul, has come on an invitation from Fanar.

The artiste felt the exhibition of his work would prompt more people to take up this art form in Qatar.

According to Talal Omar, of Guinness World Records, it was the first time a piece was designed on an 11m long single sheet of paper, having a breadth of 1.5m. “At least 30 people were engaged in lifting the paper after the drawing was created, suspended in water and later lifted out of it onto the paper to the amazement of onlookers,” said Omar.

Coktin said that the work would be redone on November 23, most possibly inside the exhibition center.

The artiste said the work that was done for the Guinness Record was made wholly from natural inks, which he referred to as vegetable inks, consisting of some natural fibers and natural plant extracts.

The Guinness official formally acknowledged Coktin’s feat and awards were given to the creator in the presence of a sportive gathering.

The expo features culture, heritage, arts and science. A large number of paintings are also displayed at the venue.

Another record was set when Qatari national boxer Abdul Latif Mahmoud Saadiq performed 132 uninterrupted push-ups with the back of his hands, bettering the previous record held by American John Morrow (123).

In his first attempt, Saadiq failed to go beyond 118 attempts but egged on by his coach Salim Lazuruq, the athlete returned and created the new mark.

British boxer Dany Williams handed over the Guinness mementos and certificates to the new record holders.

Source: Gulf Times.
Link: http://www.gulf-times.com/site/topics/article.asp?cu_no=2&item_no=327478&version=1&template_id=36&parent_id=16.

Man makes giant matchstick oil rig

A British man has received a Guinness World Records certificate for the largest matchstick model in the world.

Retired rig worker David Reynolds created the replica of the Brent Bravo oil platform over 15 years, spending £5,000 on materials, the Daily Mail reports.

The 51-year-old said: "People sit in front of the television for five or six hours a night but I get bored so I'd just nip off for a few hours here and there to work on it.

"It just started as a bit of a hobby but I guess it got out of hand. I never really gave it much thought but when people came round they'd comment on how incredible it was."

He added: "I suppose I got quite complacent about it. It's good fun and keeps the grey matter working. It wasn't as though I set out to make something so huge but it just grew and grew.

"I wasn't even sure it would all fit together and it was quite nerve-racking when I assembled it. I've had a few museums contact me to say they want to buy it and there's even been an offer from Hollywood."

The model, which is made from 4.75 million matchsticks, is 12ft tall and 21 ft long. It weighs a tonne and had to be split into 14 sections for storage.

Study reveals how 'world's toughest bacterium' survives lethal radiation

Listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as "the world's toughest bacterium," Deinococcus radiodurans can withstand extreme temperatures and drought conditions, lack of nutrients and a thousand times more radiation than a human being.

A new study by Cornell researchers reveals that nitric oxide -- a gas molecule used in many metabolic processes in animals and a pollutant in the atmosphere that leads to smog -- plays a key role in D. radiodurans' recovery when exposed to ultraviolet radiation (UV).

The study, appearing online Oct. 19 in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, may have implications for why and how nitric oxides act as signals in mammals for cell-to-cell communication, dilation of the vascular system and activating the immune system; in bacterial responses to antibiotic treatments; and in food safety efforts as D. radiodurans appears in some canned foods. The organism is also studied for use in environmental cleanup of sites contaminated with radiation and toxic chemicals.

Brian Crane, a Cornell associate professor of chemistry and chemical biology, and colleagues, discovered a gene in D. radiodurans that, when exposed to UV radiation, increases production of an enzyme responsible for creating nitric oxide. They then engineered bacteria without this gene. When zapped by radiation, the engineered bacteria repaired themselves but failed to grow and proliferate.

"Bacteria are much more sensitive to radiation damage when nitric oxide is not there," said Crane, the paper's senior author. Bhumit Patel, a graduate student in Crane's lab, is the paper's first author. "If you block the nitric oxide signal, the cell will repair but [will] not divide," Crane added.

In addition, the researchers were surprised to find that removing nitric oxide increased sensitivity to radiation but had no effect on the bacteria's ability to withstand other stressors, including exposure to oxidative damage that leads to toxic free radicals.

They also found that under normal circumstances there is a time lag in the process, where radiation exposure induces the cell to repair itself, but it takes a few hours for these bacteria to produce nitric oxide, which then activates a gene involved in cell proliferation and stress responses. "Nitric oxide seems to coordinate this growth response, but it's curious that the bacteria will wait to grow until they have repaired themselves," said Crane. "We don't know why it works this way, but there are analogies in human cells [for other processes]. There may be related pathways for controlling cell growth in animal cells."

German farm win Guinness Book of Records' 'battle of coffee pots'

Roevershagen, Germany - A German farm declared victory Monday in a bizarre race to acquire the world's largest collection of old china coffee pots - saying the Guinness Book of World Records had certified it as the winner with 13,267. Karl's Farm, which offers fields of pick-your-own strawberries, restaurants and children's playgrounds, had appealed to visitors to search their attics for old china sets and to donate the pots.

The porcelain is now arrayed on every available wall at the visitor attraction in the small town of Roevershagen near Rostock.

But in a dastardly twist, the race became bitter when Oschatz Park, a visitor attraction in another eastern German town, vainly tried to overtake the Karl's mark.

Karl's said the previous top collection in the Records Book numbered 5,014.

None of the pots are allowed to be duplicates.

The collection was begun by the strawberry farm owner, who ran out of home space when the collection became too large.

A Karl's spokesman said donors, some of whom brought cartons of pots, would be invited to a free coffee party to celebrate.

Coffee pots, rather than teapots, are a standard item in German tableware sets.

Man makes world's largest paintbrush

A Chinese artist has been recognized by the Guinness World Records organization for making the largest paintbrush on Earth.

He Wenjun claimed to have made the 12ft brush out of the hair from the tails of 300 horses and revealed that its 115lb weight almost doubles when it soaks up ink, Metroreports.

Wenjun said: "I am very proud to be the new Guinness record holder. It took me a year to make this brush, and nearly another year to learn how to control it."

The artist used the brush to draw traditional calligraphy at a special exhibition held in Nanchong, southern China.

Local man’s feats earn spot in record book

By Cathy Spaulding
Phoenix Staff Writer

A Muskogee man has blown his way into the Guinness Book of World Records.

Brian Jackson, a motivational speaker known as the I Believe Guy, confirmed that he is listed in the “Odd Talent” part of the Human Achievements chapter. The Guinness Book of World Records lists records set in the natural world and human world.

“I bought the book yesterday and found it,” he said.

He said the book documented an attempt he made in Italy earlier this year to blow three hot water bottles until they explode. He said he did it in one minute and eight seconds. He said the Guinness listing has two pictures.

“This caps off many years of long dreams,” he said. “I remember looking at the book when I was young, Jackson said.

Jackson, 45, said he had previously set a world record by blowing up one hot water bottle in 51 seconds, but the feat did not make the publication.

At a Muskogee High School gathering in November 2008, Jackson attempted to blow into a weather balloon until it reached the record height of eight feet within 42 minutes. He came up short.

He said he attempts such feats to inspire people not to give up.

“I try to show them it’s not how big or small they are or the color of their skin,” he said.

Jackson said his next feat is to blow out the most number of candles in one breath. He said he believes the record might be 148.

World's tallest man over 8ft high

The world's tallest man - who also has the largest hands and feet - has been named by Guinness World Records for the launch of its 2010 book.

At 8ft 1in (2.47m), Sultan Kosen, from Turkey, is about 4in (10cm) taller than previous title-holder Bao Xishun.

The 27-year-old's hands measure 10.8in (27.5cm) and his feet 14.3in (36.5cm).

Mr Kosen, whose height is due to the medical condition pituitary gigantism, said he hoped his new-found fame would bring him love for the first time.

"The first thing I want to do is have a car that I can fit in, but more than that I want to get married," he said.

"Up until now it's been really difficult to find a girlfriend. I've never had one, they were usually scared of me. I'm hoping now I will find one."

He went on: "Hopefully now that I'm famous I'll be able to meet lots of girls. I'd like to get married."

One of the difficulties of being so tall is getting clothes which fit and Mr Kosen wore a specially-made suit to meet journalists, which was one of the first outfits he has owned that is the right size.

He also had to have a three-metre-long bed made.

Mr Kosen said: "The most difficult things are, for example, that I can't fit into a normal car. When I get into a car, it's a really tight fit.

"I can't go shopping like normal people, I have to have things made specially and sometimes they aren't always as fashionable.

"The other thing is that ceilings are low and I have to bend down through doorways."

But his height does have its upsides.

He said: "The good thing about being so tall is that I can see people from a long distance. The other thing is at home they use my height to change the light bulbs and hang the curtains, things like that."

Mr Kosen is the first person in more than a decade to be more than 8ft in height, a spokesman for Guinness World Records said.

He grew normally until he was 10, but then a tumour caused him to develop a medical condition called pituitary gigantism.

The tumour was removed last year and his growth stopped.

His visit to the UK is the first time he has travelled outside Turkey, and he will go on to visit the US and Germany.

Earlier this year, Zhao Liang from China thought he might be a contender for the world record after he was treated for an injury in hospital.

Staff there measured the former basketball player at 2.46m (just under 8ft 1in) in height.

World's oldest person dies in Los Angeles at 115

By JOHN ROGERS, Associated Press Writer

LOS ANGELES – Although she liked her bacon crispy and her chicken fried, she never drank, smoked or fooled around, Gertrude Baines once said, describing a life that lasted an astonishing 115 years and earned her the title of oldest person on the planet.

It was a title Baines quietly relinquished Friday when she died in her sleep at Western Convalescent Hospital, her home since she gave up living alone at age 107 after breaking a hip.

She likely suffered a heart attack, said her longtime physician, Dr. Charles Witt, although an autopsy was scheduled to determine the exact cause of death.

"I saw her two days ago, and she was just doing fine," Witt told The Associated Press on Friday. "She was in excellent shape. She was mentally alert. She smiled frequently."

Baines was born in Shellman, Ga., on April 6, 1894, when Grover Cleveland was in the White House, radio communication was just being developed and television was still more than a half-century from becoming a ubiquitous household presence.

She was 4 years old when the Spanish-American War broke out and 9 when the first World Series was played. She had already reached middle age by the time the U.S. entered World War II in 1941.

Throughout it all, Baines said last year, it was a life she thoroughly enjoyed.

"I'm glad I'm here. I don't care if I live a hundred more," she said with a hearty laugh after casting her vote for Barack Obama for president. "I enjoy nothing but eating and sleeping."

Her vote for Obama, she added, had helped fulfill a lifelong dream of seeing a black man elected president.

"We all the same, only our skin is dark and theirs is white," said Baines, who was black.

The centenarian, who worked as a maid at Ohio State University dormitories until her retirement, had outlived all of her family members. Her only daughter died of typhoid at age 18.

In her final years, she passed her days watching her favorite TV program, "The Jerry Springer Show," and consuming her favorite foods: bacon, fried chicken and ice cream. She complained often, however, that the bacon served to her was too soft.

"Two days ago, when I saw her, she was talking about the fact that the bacon wasn't crisp enough, that it was soggy," Witt said.

She became the world's oldest person in January when Maria de Jesus died in Portugal at 115.

The title brought with it a spotlight of attention, and Baines was asked frequently about the secret to a long life. She shrugged off such questions, telling people to ask God instead.

"She told me that she owes her longevity to the Lord, that she never did drink, she never did smoke and she never did fool around," Witt said at a party marking her 115th birthday.

At the party, Baines sat quietly, paying little attention as nursing home staffers and residents sang "Happy Birthday" and presented congratulatory notices from Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sen. Dianne Feinstein and others. But she laughed when told the Los Angeles Dodgers had given her a cooler filled with hot dogs.

With Baines' death, 114-year-old Kama Chinen of Japan becomes the world's oldest person, said Dr. L. Stephen Coles of the Gerontology Research Group, which tracks claims of extreme old age. Chinen was born May 10, 1895.

The oldest person who ever lived, Coles said, was Jeanne-Louise Calment, who was 122 when she died Aug. 4, 1997, in Arles, France.