A new analysis from the University of Illinois suggests that tree cavities can stay cooler than the outside air, providing crucial thermal protection for animals. The study finds that tree cavities can buffer animals from temperature extremes, including hot and cold days, and offers insights into forest management decisions worldwide.
Researchers at Arizona State University have discovered an overlooked physical process that significantly impacts sweat's cooling effect in hot, dry environments. The study found that temperature and humidity can create an opposing upward flow near the skin, canceling out airflow and increasing body heat storage.
Researchers have identified a genetic driver of primary idiopathic hyperhidrosis, a chronic condition causing excessive sweating. The discovery suggests that the disorder can originate in the nervous system and may be treatable with targeted therapies.
In a study on Japanese macaques, researchers found that semi-shade is an important thermoregulatory option under hot, dry conditions. The macaques preferred semi-shade over full shade or sun when it was hot and dry, but not humid. This suggests that semi-shade may play a significant role in helping endotherms cope with heat stress.
A new study suggests that sweat can reveal information about a person's health, including hormone levels, medication doses, and early detection of diseases like diabetes and cancer. Wearable sensors using artificial intelligence can detect specific metabolites in sweat, providing personalized health insights.
A new Cochrane review found that immediate skin-to-skin contact between newborns and their mothers significantly improves exclusive breastfeeding rates, optimal body temperature, breathing, and heart rate. The review suggests that skin-to-skin contact should be the global standard of care for all babies after birth.
SourceCochrane·JournalCochrane Database of Systematic Reviews·TypeSystematic review·DateOct 21, 2025
Researchers at PolyU are pioneering next-generation personal cooling solutions using advanced textiles and intelligent wearables. Their innovations include spectrum-selective textiles, thermal insulation, ventilative and evaporative cooling, and AI-driven frameworks that deliver personalized, energy-efficient cooling.
Heat-related deaths are projected to rise four-fold by 2050 if global temperatures reach 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. Experts recommend a physiology-based approach that focuses on hot people, using tools like HeatWatch, to enhance heat adaptation and minimize carbon intensity.
Research from the University of Sydney reveals that children aged 10-16 years sweat at the same rate as adults in extreme heat, contradicting previous advice on dehydration and hyperthermia risk. The study's findings emphasize the importance of proper hydration for children during physical activity.
Researchers found that hypothermia in mice elevated fasting glucose and insulin levels, mimicking insulin resistance. Reversing the hypothermia restored normal glucose metabolism through warming the animals.
A Waseda University research team developed a method to measure thermal insulation of bedding systems, considering individual body parts. The study found that relying solely on whole-body insulation is not enough and revealed the importance of optimizing sleep environments for better quality.
A study of all-women extreme divers off the coast of Korea found two genetic changes that could aid their diving ability, lowering blood pressure and improving pain tolerance to cold. The researchers hope this discovery will advance care for health conditions like stroke related to high blood pressure.
Researchers at Trinity College Dublin have found that the brain forms memories of cold experiences and uses them to control metabolism. The discovery may lead to new treatments for conditions such as obesity and cancer, which are influenced by thermoregulation and metabolism.
Prolonged sitting impairs forearm cutaneous vascular function, but alternating local skin cooling and heating alleviates this effect. This study found that ambient temperature modulation can mitigate the decline in cutaneous vascular function.
A new study from the University of Ottawa's Human and Environmental Physiology Research Unit has validated lower limits of human heat tolerance, highlighting the urgent need to address climate change impacts on human health. The research found that many regions may soon experience conditions exceeding safe limits for human survival.
Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine found that postpartum female mice prefer cooler temperatures due to changes in the preoptic area of the brain, particularly a decrease in estrogen receptor alpha neurons. These changes affect the animal's warmth-seeking behavior and are regulated by reproductive experience.
Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine have discovered a brain circuit involved in motion sickness that also regulates body temperature and metabolic balance. Inhibiting this circuit may lead to increased energy expenditure and better glucose tolerance, suggesting potential benefits for obesity treatment.
Implantable physical sensors monitor temperature, force, flow, and pressure to facilitate timely diagnosis and advanced health management. These sensors have the potential to revolutionize medical practices by enabling direct, real-time acquisition of critical physiological signals.
Researchers used EEG to map brain activity in response to hot and cold temperatures, finding that both invoke similar activity patterns in overlapping brain regions. The study could lead to more objective methods for evaluating thermal comfort and reducing health risks due to ambiguous subjective evaluations.
Researchers found that exposure to temperatures of 100°F (38°C) or higher may triple atrial fibrillation episodes in people with implanted defibrillators. The study emphasizes the importance of preventing heat-induced stress and taking precautions to stay cool and hydrated, particularly for vulnerable populations.
A WSU-led study found that older adults tend to experience more discomfort in high heat, but it doesn't affect their mood as much as younger adults. Emotional responses to heat are highly individualized and moderated by age.
A new study by Penn State researchers found that middle-aged and older women are more susceptible to extreme heat due to physiological changes. The study identified specific temperature/humidity levels safe for women as they age, providing valuable information for setting policies during heat waves.
A recent study published in PNAS explores how plants combine clock signals with environmental cues under naturally fluctuating conditions. The research team developed statistical models that accurately predict gene expression activity under control of circadian clock responses to environmental signals.
A self-adaptive temperature control system can improve wound healing by mimicking the skin's thermoregulatory functions. The system, developed by Zhu Meifang at Donghua University, uses an interactive thermoregulatory biomimetic electronic system to regulate temperature and promote dynamic healing processes.
Rising global temperatures are driving up nest temperatures, compromising bumblebees' ability to construct livable nests. Bumblebee colonies may struggle to adapt to these conditions, leading to a decline in population and range.
Researchers discovered that wild animal hair undergoes seasonal changes to insulate against extreme temperatures. The inner microscopic details of the hairs change, allowing animals to survive in their environment.
Research using thermal imaging found that numbats are prone to overheating during hot weather, with body temperatures exceeding 40°C. Their unique fur mechanism allows for heat exchange, but is limited by temperature and shade availability.
Researchers tested infrared thermography protocol, but found it unreliable for measuring brown adipose tissue activity. The team suggests alternative methodologies to study links between thermoregulation and social behaviors.
A team of researchers has developed a color-shifting coating inspired by the Namaqua chameleon's ability to regulate its body temperature. The coating can keep buildings cool in summer or warm in winter without additional energy, saving considerable amounts of energy for regions with multiple seasons.
A new study found that mussels can adjust their heart rate and clearance rate in response to elevated temperatures, showing they can persist and recover from marine heatwaves. This ability may help maintain normal functioning of the circulatory system and benefit other organisms in coastal ecosystems.
A Nagoya University research team discovered two distinct thermosensory pathways in the brain that transmit temperature information to different areas of the forebrain. Blocking one pathway was found to impair a rat's ability to avoid heat, while blocking another impaired its ability to avoid cold.
Ancient Polynesian canoe passages from Tahiti to Hawaii and New Zealand were simulated to estimate thermoregulatory energetic demands. The results show that specific body shapes and sizes contributed significantly to the voyagers' ability to withstand extreme temperatures, leading to their relative success in these long-distance journeys.
Researchers have developed a soft film that can regulate its transparency across visible, infrared, and microwave wavelengths simultaneously. The material's ability to modify its transparency rapidly could benefit dynamic camouflage technologies and adaptive personal devices.
Researchers designed a wearable variable-emittance device that can be modulated between two states to stabilize radiative heat loss. The fabric adjusts how much body heat is retained and radiated away, providing consistent skin temperature regardless of external temperature.
Researchers developed a new type of wearable sweat sensor that can analyze sweat for vital signs like dehydration and blood sugar levels. The device, called the 'sweatainer,' offers a glimpse into the future of health monitoring with its non-invasive technology.
Scientists create new 'phase change inks' using nanotechnology to regulate temperature in everyday environments. These innovative materials could transform how we heat and cool buildings, homes, and cars by adjusting radiation absorption based on surroundings, enabling passive climate control.
Researchers found that hummingbirds can enter into deep or shallow torpor, and their ability to do so is tied to their evolutionary conquest of mountain habitats. Torpor duration varies depending on ambient temperature and physical condition.
Scientists create a temperature-compensated biological clock using Belousov–Zhabotinsky gels, which retain their oscillation period despite temperature changes. This innovation mimics the natural property of circadian rhythms, offering a new approach to artificial biological clocks.
Researchers found that Sirtuin 7 regulates brown adipose tissue functions, leading to suppressed energy expenditure and thermogenesis. The study reveals a molecular pathway involving protein deacylation and mRNA binding, which will have implications for treating hypermetabolic conditions like cancer and obesity.
A study led by Robert Dickson found that the gut microbiome plays a crucial role in regulating body temperature, both in health and during sepsis. The researchers discovered that certain bacteria from the Firmicutes phylum were strongly associated with increased fever response.
Researchers aim to develop a drug that enhances brown adipose tissue response to cold exposure, potentially treating hypothermia and arctic exploration challenges. The new screening method could also optimize drug development for diseases and infections, reducing costs and time.
The study successfully demonstrated hypothermia in a primate model using targeted neuronal manipulation. Monkeys showed increased heart rate, shivering, and locomotion to defend their body temperature, highlighting a complex thermoregulation mechanism.
A study by Nagoya University researchers has identified EP3 neurons as crucial in maintaining a stable body temperature of 37°C in mammals. The discovery could lead to the development of technologies that artificially adjust body temperature to treat heat stroke, hypothermia, and obesity.
Great tits with higher glucocorticoid levels in cold weather have better heat production capabilities, increasing their survival chances.
Children are at risk of heat-related health problems due to obesity and physical inactivity. Fitter adults can better tolerate high temperatures, but research suggests children need daily physical activity to build fitness.
Researchers have developed a battery-free biosensor that can track glucose levels in sweat using radio frequency signals. The device, resembling a smart necklace, showed promising results in monitoring glucose levels during exercise and has potential applications for detecting other biomarkers in bodily fluids.
Researchers used wearable activity trackers and AI to identify indicative physiological changes in people with COVID-19, detecting infections up to 2 days before symptoms began. The study found that the algorithm was effective in identifying positive cases, but its accuracy needs further improvement.
A study by Dr. Anja Weidenmüller reveals that glyphosate affects the collective thermoregulatory capacity of bumblebee colonies, impacting brood development and colony growth. This effect is particularly pronounced in times of resource scarcity, highlighting the need to reassess pesticide approval procedures.
New Penn State research found that the maximum wet-bulb temperature for humans is lower than previously thought, at around 31°C in warm-humid environments. This finding has significant implications for planning and preparing for extreme heat events.
A team of researchers proposes that endothermy in mammals and birds has a common ancestry and is much older than previously accepted. They found evidence of endothermy in early ancestors of modern birds and mammals, including Pelycosaurs and Pareiasaurs.
Researchers discovered that naked mole-rats rapidly decrease uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) in brown adipose tissue to conserve energy in hypoxia. This mechanism may hold secrets for humans to survive and thrive in low-oxygen environments, particularly in relation to diseases like stroke and chronic pulmonary disorders.
Researchers aim to generate a model of brain-fat communication system to regulate metabolism during environmental challenges. The study uses cutting-edge techniques like immunolabeling-enabled imaging to identify new components of neural circuits controlling brown and white fat tissues.
Researchers found that young male winter swimmers had better thermoregulation and higher heat loss due to frequent sauna exposure. They also showed increased brown fat tissue activity, particularly in response to cold exposure.
Researchers found that emergency blankets provided insufficient thermal insulation, leading to decreased sleep efficiency and increased fatigue. The study suggests that simple measures such as wearing down jackets can help regulate body temperature and improve sleep quality in low-temperature environments.
Magellanic penguins exhibit no lateralization in stepping up, swimming, and thermoregulation. However, they display dominance through aggression, favoring their left eye in most confrontations.
Research reveals that gut microbiota is essential for thermoregulation, particularly in animals exposed to cold. The study found that gut microbiota helps stimulate the activation of Brown Adipose Tissue and promotes white adipose tissue browning, leading to improved thermogenic capacity.
A study by University of Cambridge biological anthropologists reveals that muscle mass is key to regulating heat loss from the hands in cold conditions. Volunteers with higher muscle mass experienced faster rewarming of their hands after exposure to ice-cold water.
Scientists at Nagoya University found two brain pathways that control thermoregulation, revealing their separate roles in 'feeling' and responding to external temperature changes. Disabling one pathway led to impaired ability to regulate core temperature.
Daily torpor, a hibernation-like state, is influenced by reduced sensitivity of the thermoregulatory system. Researchers developed an individualized system to detect periods of daily torpor and found that reduced sensitivity was the major factor contributing to this phenomenon.
A new UCL study found that mismatched light and heat levels can cause major disruptions to body clock function, leading to behavioral changes and molecular signals. The research suggests that a moderate time lag between light and temperature causes the clock to break down, with significant effects on behavior.