Mankind has come up with a lot of ways to shorten life: there's war, murder, parachute packs filled with kitchen utensils rather than a parachute, etc. However, prolonging our life span is still somewhat of a mystery, though there are new ideas always being put to the test.

On April 14 at 8:00 p.m., CNN: Special Investigations Unit: Chasing Life will look into these methods, including calorie-restriction diets, stem cell treatments, dietary supplements, and human growth hormones. The special will examine the benefits, drawbacks and controversy surrounding these different approaches. The special will be hosted by Dr. Sanjay Gupta, and is based on his book, also called Chasing Life.

Ghost Whisper, or as I call it, Can I Sit Through a Show I Hate For No Other Reason Than to Ogle Jennifer Love Hewitt?, now has a spin-off of sorts, an online-only series launching today on CBS' innertube broadband site. The new web series, Ghost Whisperer: The Other Side, focuses on Zach, an earthbound spirit who tries to come to terms with his death with the help of other spirits. Zach will be played by Mark Hapka, and the series will also feature Robin Hines, rapper DNA and Graham McTavish as the ghosts who try to help Zach communicate with the world of the living.

Zach will also appear in the second season finale of Ghost Whisperer. The first webisode is available to watch now, and a new episode will debut every Friday.

Check out a trailer for the new online series after the jump.