Articles tagged with Relative Humidity
The 106th Annual Meeting of the American Meteorological Society will focus on the intersection of technology and human decision-making in weather, water, and climate sciences. The meeting will feature keynote presentations, Presidential Sessions, and named symposia highlighting key Earth science topics.
A new study from Penn State researchers found that submerging hands and forearms in room-temperature tap water can effectively cool older adults and reduce their heart rate during extreme heat. The study demonstrated a reduction in core body temperature by about half a degree Fahrenheit, which may help prevent heat-related illnesses.
High humidity exacerbates extreme heat's negative impact on cardiovascular health, increasing the risk of heart-related emergencies by six times. Researchers analyzed over 340,000 emergency room visits in Dhaka, Bangladesh, finding a significant association between high heat and humidity levels.
A study predicts that Barcelona will experience extreme and dry heat periods with temperature increases of up to 4ºC and a general reduction in relative humidity. The research forecasts an increase in average maximum temperatures of 4ºC and average minimum temperatures of 3.5ºC if greenhouse gas emissions are not drastically reduced.
New Delhi's air pollution is more severe than previously estimated, with particles absorbing atmospheric water vapor leading to significant underestimation of particulate matter levels. The study highlights the importance of considering hygroscopic growth and its impact on air quality assessments.
A new study from Tel Aviv University uses smartphone data to predict wildfire risk, overcoming individual device errors by averaging large amounts of public data. The method provides valuable insights into wildfire evaluation, especially in remote areas lacking traditional weather stations.
Researchers study droughts, wildfires, and precipitation changes across the US Southeast and globally. The Great Salt Lake's drying exacerbates regional droughts, while a Maui wildfire is linked to atmospheric patterns.
A new study reveals that the heat index in Texas has increased three times faster than measured temperature due to global warming. This can lead to a rise of 8-11 F in heat stress, especially for vulnerable populations.
A Stanford University study finds that increased humidity can create anti-viral compounds in air microdroplets, potentially reducing the spread of airborne viruses. The researchers recommend maintaining relative humidity levels between 40-60% to achieve this effect.
New research from the University of Bristol found that exposure to high humidity and temperature during pregnancy can influence blood pressure changes in children. The study analyzed over 7,000 participants and found a steeper increase in blood pressure with higher relative humidity and a slower increase with higher temperature.
Researchers found that green spaces alleviate extreme heat's negative impacts on human health, while densely packed buildings increase mortality risk. Urban design strategies incorporating different types of greenery are recommended to mitigate heatwave-associated mortality.
Researchers at MIT have developed a superabsorbent material that can soak up record amounts of moisture from the air, even in dry conditions. The material is made by infusing hydrogel with lithium chloride and has shown to absorb and retain unprecedented amounts of water vapor.
A new study published by scientists at the University of Miami found that Miami residents may experience temperatures 6 degrees Fahrenheit higher on average than NOAA's official reported values, which can feel 11°F higher with humidity. The research team analyzed temperature and humidity data from low-cost sensors set up in outdoor loc...
A new Dartmouth study projects a 52% increase in extreme precipitation events in the Northeast by the end of the century. The region is expected to experience more frequent heavy rainfall events, with winter and spring contributing most to this projected increase.
Researchers found that airborne particles carrying a mammalian coronavirus remain infectious for twice as long in drier air, thanks to the protective effect of saliva. The study suggests that managing indoor air filtration and ventilation is crucial to mitigate airborne disease spread.
A new study by MIT researchers finds that maintaining an indoor relative humidity between 40 and 60 percent is associated with relatively lower rates of COVID-19 infections and deaths. Indoor conditions outside this range are linked to worse COVID-19 outcomes.
A laboratory study published in PNAS found that SARS-CoV-2 virus can lose 90% of its infectivity when in aerosol particles within 20 minutes. The loss is strongly dependent on low relative humidity and pH, with a decrease in airborne infectivity observed at levels below 50%.
Research by TU Wien found that small droplets with coronaviruses can remain airborne for an order of magnitude longer than assumed due to high humidity. This means that even short-range exposure poses a significant risk, highlighting the need for scientifically sound guidelines on mask-wearing and safety distances.
The study used WomBot to explore 30 wombat burrows in Tasmania, finding average temperatures of 15 degrees Celsius and relative humidity of 85%. The authors suggest that environmental conditions within burrows may facilitate sarcoptic mange transmission by promoting mite survival.
A team of researchers at SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory and University of Texas Medical Branch has developed a method to disinfect N95 masks using moderate heat and high relative humidity. This process extends the ability to reuse masks, potentially reducing shortages, and can also be used to decontaminate other viruses.
Researchers studied the effects of relative humidity, environmental temperature, and wind speed on coronavirus transmission. They found that evaporation is a critical factor in virus survival and concentration, with high temperatures and low relative humidity reducing virus viability.
A study by the Leibniz Institute for Tropospheric Research recommends controlling indoor air humidity to reduce the spread of SARS-CoV-2. Low humidity can cause virus droplets to dry out faster, allowing them to travel further and be inhaled by healthy people.
Researchers find that warmer, more humid environments can slow viral transmission through airborne particles. The ideal relative humidity for indoor environments is between 40-60%. Maintaining moderate humidity levels could be an ally in slowing rates of viral transmission.
The humidity digester, developed by Singapore researchers, can absorb more than four times its weight of water from humid air. It reduces relative humidity by 12 percent and generates a low current under ambient light, making it a potential replacement for air conditioners.
Researchers found that water seeps between graphene layers at 22% relative humidity, modifying the material's interaction. The study suggests that graphene-based devices may function differently in humid environments, highlighting the need to record relative humidity in future experiments.
Researchers developed a novel gel-like material that effectively dehumidifies ambient air while harnessing the moisture in the air for various applications. The hydrogel can absorb water from surrounding air more than 2.5 times its weight and performs at least eight times better than commercial drying agents.
Research found that GEOS-5-assimilated planetary boundary layer height (PBLH) and relative humidity (RH) vary significantly across China's four regions, with Tibetan Plateau having the highest PBLH values and South China the lowest RH. Seasonal variations also played a crucial role in shaping these patterns.
A researcher from MSU has discovered complex changes in temperature and relative humidity in Moscow over the past century. Urban heat island intensity stabilized in the second half of the 20th century but increased in recent years due to urban densification.
Researchers have developed a metal-organic framework (MOF) material that can regulate humidity levels within a specific range. The material, Y-shp-MOF-5, takes up water in dry air but releases it when the relative humidity falls below 45%. This autonomous behavior maintains optimal humidity levels between 45-65%.
Research finds that low atmospheric humidity is a significant cause of plant stress in hot, dry weather, reducing their ability to offset climate change. Models should be refined to account for this effect, which will become increasingly important as the Earth's climate warms.
Researchers at Georgia State University found that certain viruses like influenza and coronaviruses can survive on children's toys for up to 24 hours, placing children at risk. The study suggests implementing strategies for decontamination, such as frequent cleaning with household bleach, to prevent the spread of disease.
A study published in Weather found that fireworks on Guy Fawkes' night can reduce visibility by an average of 25% due to the release of hygroscopic particulate matter. This effect is exacerbated when relative humidity is high, posing significant safety risks for motorist and pedestrian safety.
A new study published in JAMA found that electric fans are effective cooling devices for those without air conditioning during hot and humid periods. The researchers prevented heat-related elevations in heart and core temperature up to approximately 80% relative humidity at 97°F.
The Skunk Fire in Arizona has expanded to 23,642 acres as of May 18, according to Inciweb. The fire is expected to pose a high fire danger due to strong winds and low humidity.
Researchers from the University of Reading have designed a novel sunlight-measuring tool to detect cloud boundaries with greater precision. The device uses the natural swinging motion of a rising weather balloon to distinguish between clouds and clear air.
Researchers found that anti-caking agents in powdered vitamin C products can accelerate degradation, even protecting it from moisture. This is due to the chemical properties of these agents, which can absorb or repel water and lead to further reactions that lower the nutrient's stability.
Fossil land snail shells found on the Canary Islands show a decrease in relative humidity over 50,000 years, with a peak around 15,000-20,000 years ago. This suggests an overall increase in dryness, resulting in the current semiarid conditions.
Researchers found a significant correlation between low absolute humidity and increased influenza virus survival and transmission. The study, published in PNAS, suggests that absolute humidity is the key control for seasonal flu outbreaks.
A study by Charles F. Forney found that low temperatures and high relative humidity are key to extending the shelf life of fresh cranberries. Storage conditions between 0-7°C and 75-82% relative humidity resulted in up to six months of marketable fruit, offering benefits for growers and consumers.
A new study by researchers links low temperatures and relative humidities to the rapid spread of influenza, validating the seasonal flu theory. The study found that low relative humidities facilitate viral transmission, with opposite effects at higher humidity levels.
Researchers found that heat stress, measured by temperature-humidity index (THI), was a significant factor in low conception rates of dairy herds. High THI values before insemination, particularly on Day 3, led to ovulation failure and reduced fertility. Conversely, cooling measures implemented when temperatures exceeded 20°C improved ...
Researchers at the University of Manchester discovered that nails are most resilient in humid environments with a relative humidity of 55-60%. This finding may help improve false nail and varnish products, reducing breakage and damage.
A recent NASA study verified that water vapor in the atmosphere increases with rising temperatures, contradicting some climate scientists' claims of a decrease. The researchers found the positive water vapor feedback to be weaker than expected, which may impact global climate predictions.