Articles tagged with Heat
Research from the University of East Anglia found that even modest changes in weather can impact mental health service demand, with increases during hot weather and low sunshine. Fluctuations in temperature and sunlight exposure were linked to shifts in unscheduled healthcare use, with rainfall appearing to have little consistent effect.
The American Heart Association warns that extreme heat events are increasing, posing significant cardiovascular risks. The statement outlines contributing factors and recommendations to mitigate these risks, particularly for vulnerable populations such as older adults and those with low incomes.
The study reveals that nearly three billion people live in areas with moderate cooling poverty, while 550 million experience severe cooling deprivation. Poor housing and weak healthcare further increase the danger of heat-related illness, particularly among outdoor workers.
A new study projects that climate change will significantly increase the risk of heat-related cardiovascular disease in the US by 2050. The Pacific Northwest and Southern/Midwestern states are expected to experience the highest and steepest increases, respectively. Targeted interventions for vulnerable communities are crucial to mitiga...
A new study by CMCC Foundation reveals that over two-thirds of the global population face thermal unsafe conditions in at least one dimension, with 600 million living in severe Systemic Cooling Poverty. Education and working standards are the primary drivers of SCP, affecting 2.2 billion people.
Researchers at Arizona State University measured air temperatures downwind and upwind of data centers in Phoenix, finding a significant impact on surrounding neighborhoods. Temperatures downwind averaged 1.3-1.6 degrees warmer than upwind, with detectable effects up to five city blocks away.
Researchers found that camels have a more flexible and coordinated response to heat stress, allowing them to maintain stability even at higher temperatures. In contrast, human cells tend to respond in a more rigid way, making them less adaptable under heat stress.
A new study from Florida Atlantic University challenges the narrative that rising temperatures will drive Americans away, finding that heat alone isn't driving large-scale out-migration. Instead, population shifts are shaped more by economic opportunity, housing affordability and local quality of life than climate conditions.
Research by University of British Columbia researchers found that summer weather is arriving earlier, lasting longer and packing more heat. The average summer season has grown about six days longer per decade in the tropics and polar circles since 1990.
Researchers identified a mechanism allowing plants to rapidly slow growth in response to extreme stress. By limiting growth-related compounds, plants pause development and cope with stress. The finding has practical applications for developing more resilient crops.
Research suggests significant heat-health risks observed among socioeconomically vulnerable populations. This study underscores the importance of developing targeted heat warning strategies to mitigate these risks and prevent emergency department visits among older adults.
Researchers develop a new material that exhibits improved reversibility in its barocaloric effect, allowing for a wider temperature range and increased refrigeration capacity. The material combines neopentyl glycol and pentaglycerine with added pentaerythritol to reduce thermal hysteresis.
The article discusses current evidence on risks of ambient heat to pregnant women, including hot weather and occupational exposures. Effective strategies for managing heat-related risks are also highlighted as critical for maintaining maternal health.
A recent study analyzing 50 years of climate data shows that the Tour de France has so far avoided extreme heat conditions, but the risk is increasingly high. The researchers found that regions like Paris and Lyon are becoming new heat stress hotspots, highlighting the need to adapt schedules, routes, and safety protocols.
Researchers at Rice University have developed a new method to grow patterned diamond surfaces that can decrease operating temperatures in electronics. This approach uses microwave plasma chemical vapor deposition to create ordered layers of diamond crystals on substrates, allowing for controlled seed placement and scalable growth.
A new study assesses indoor heat vulnerability for each single-family home in Austin, finding that 85% of homes would pose significant risk to an elderly person during a power outage. The city can now take a methodical approach to mitigating risk through cooling centers and home weatherization programs.
Research from the University of East Anglia predicts that tropical cities will experience increased urban heat island effects under 2°C global warming. The study finds that up to 81% of medium-sized cities will warm more than surrounding rural areas, with some experiencing warming rates up to 100% higher.
Researchers have discovered a new thermoelectric material, MoSi2, that can convert waste heat into electricity with high efficiency. The material's unique electronic structure and axis-dependent conduction polarity enable it to generate transverse thermopower, paving the way for efficient waste heat recovery systems.
Researchers at QST discovered that controlled gamma-ray mutagenesis can create heat-tolerant nitrogen-fixing bacteria in weeks, shortening development timelines. The method produces robust, climate-ready microbial products for agriculture, food processing, pharmaceuticals, and biofuel production.
Research finds that temperature spikes are associated with increases in interpersonal and self-inflicted violence, particularly among low-income communities. Warmer temperatures increase outbursts of temper and negative reactions to others, contributing to a rise in arguments, confrontations, and assaults.
Agrivoltaics systems can significantly augment quality of life for farmworkers by providing shelter from the sun, cooler drinking water, and reduced fatigue. Researchers found that these systems can reduce wet bulb globe temperature by up to 5.5 degrees Celsius, making them a crucial tool in protecting farmworkers from heat stress.
Researchers at the University of Colorado Boulder have designed a new material called Mesoporous Optically Clear Heat Insulator (MOCHI) that can improve energy efficiency in buildings. The material, which is almost completely transparent, traps air through tiny pores to block heat exchange.
Research found that children exposed to higher-than-usual temperatures were less likely to meet developmental milestones for literacy and numeracy. The effects were more pronounced among economically disadvantaged households, with access to clean water and urban areas.
A study published in JAMA Network Open finds that veterans with cardiometabolic conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure are at a 10-14% higher risk of dying during days with extreme heat compared to other days. The researchers also found that homeless veterans faced a 25% higher risk of death vs. housed veterans.
Heat- and cold-related mortality burden in the US increased significantly between 2000 and 2020, with temperature extremes contributing to excess deaths. The study found that geographic location, cause of death, and demographic factors played a crucial role in differential vulnerability to temperature-related health risks.
Researchers found that elevated CO2 levels can cause leaf temperatures to rise by up to 1.3°C in forests, with a greater impact during extreme heatwaves. This change is likely caused by reduced transpiration and could have significant effects on the water cycle globally.
Researchers found that heat transfer values increase dramatically at distances less than ten nanometres, exceeding theoretical predictions by a factor of one hundred. This phenomenon challenges current understanding of heat transfer in the nanometre range.
A new study reveals that rising temperatures are causing widespread reductions in sleep duration across the globe, with warmer nights resulting in an average loss of 15-17 minutes of sleep. This is particularly concerning as the likelihood of experiencing short sleep increases by approximately 40% during heatwaves.
Workers in Bangladesh's garment factories often face temperatures above 35°C, causing dehydration, heat exhaustion, and reduced productivity. Simple cooling solutions like insulated roofs, fans, and drinking water access can reclaim lost work output, improving worker health and wellbeing.
Researchers at Pohang University of Science & Technology experimentally demonstrated the existence of nanometer-sized liquid clusters in supercritical fluids, overturning the prevailing notion of a single phase. These clusters persisted for up to an hour and have significant implications for industrial processes and natural environments.
A new study by the University of Arizona found that heat exposure and toxic metal exposure can increase signs of kidney injury in agricultural workers. The study suggests that providing mandatory breaks, water, electrolyte replacement, and restrooms nearby can help prevent heat-related illnesses and kidney damage.
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.
A new study by Tulane University's Newcomb Institute found a measurable link between prolonged extreme heat and increased domestic violence-related emergency calls in New Orleans. When temperatures stayed above the top 10% for five consecutive days, calls rose by 7%. The researchers recommend integrating domestic violence prevention in...
A team of scientists at Pohang University of Science & Technology has developed a novel approach to enhance thermoelectric efficiency by controlling oxygen vacancies. By precisely controlling the number of oxygen vacancies in materials, they achieved a remarkable 91% improvement in thermoelectric performance.
A team of researchers has discovered a novel oxide material that can produce high-efficiency clean hydrogen using only heat. The discovery was made possible by a new computational screening method and has the potential to transform industries such as methane reforming and battery recycling.
A cross-sectional study of 42 countries found that drought conditions are associated with increased intimate partner violence risk. The study suggests a pressing need for initiatives to prevent domestic violence in response to climate change.
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.
Scientists at Kyushu University have created a solid oxide fuel cell that operates at a low temperature of 300°C, overcoming a major hurdle in their development. The breakthrough uses scandium to create a 'ScO6 highway' for protons to travel efficiently, enabling the production of affordable hydrogen power.
Researchers have developed a three-dimensional imaging method to distinguish between two fundamental processes by which light is transformed into electric current in quantum materials. The breakthrough could lead to improvements in solar energy systems and optical communications technology.
Researchers found that heat-stressed Nagina 22 exhibit dramatic genome-wide DNA demethylation, particularly CHH demethylation, which upregulates JAZ genes. This epigenetic regulation helps the rice cultivar better adapt to high-temperature stress.
Researchers developed a universal approach to calculate liquid entropy using fundamental physical principles, achieving remarkable consistency with existing data. The new method predicts entropy accurately for various liquids, including sodium, and has significant implications for optimizing chemical reactions and material properties.
This study uses Steady-State Isotopic Transient Kinetic Analysis to investigate the effects of microwave heating on Dry Reforming of Methane. The results show that microwave activation induces the formation of reactive coke, enhancing the reaction rate and reducing surface intermediate concentrations.
A new approach harnesses radiant cooling to reduce outdoor temperatures by up to 10 degrees Fahrenheit. The technique uses water-cooled aluminum panels and see-through, infrared-reflective thin polymer film to create a cooler space while maintaining visibility.
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 longest heat waves will see greatest acceleration in frequency, while extreme heat waves will increase most. The study's equation can analyze one region or multiple regions, providing valuable insights into climate change impacts.
Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) is expanding its heat exchanger testing capabilities to include megawatt-scale performance evaluations. This move addresses a significant market gap for high-heat transfer rates involving high-temperature and -flowrate applications in data centers, defense, and other fields.
Researchers used foam-entrapped supercritical CO2 to prevent stored carbon from moving back to the surface. The approach shows promise for enhancing oil recovery and reducing CO2 migration.
A recent USC study found associations between increased exposure to wildfire smoke and heat stress during preconception and the first trimester with the odds of having a small-for-gestational-age infant. Living in a climate-vulnerable neighborhood can increase these risks, particularly for women exposed to heat stress.
A new study identifies three compounds that suppress the heat of chili peppers, hinting at a potential 'anti-spice' condiment. These compounds, including capsianoside I, roseoside, and gingerglycolipid A, may have pain management implications by desensitizing TRPV1 receptors.
A team of researchers at Kyoto University has developed an experimental setup to precisely adjust the distance between microbubbles, enabling the manipulation of liquid flows. By controlling bubble vibrations, they were able to synchronize their movements and alter the surrounding flow, providing a new fluid control tool for medical an...
A 19-year study finds that 20,000 people died from heatstroke and 15,000 from cold exposure in India between 2001 and 2019. The study identifies working-age men as most vulnerable to heat-related deaths, highlighting the need for measures such as shaded parking areas and relief provisions.
A new study by Simon Fraser University found gaps in BC's extreme heat response plans, with urban greening being the most common mitigation strategy. The research highlights the need for co-operation and co-ordination across jurisdictions to improve neighbourhoods and address socio-economic disparities.
Researchers found that roofs with shorter peak heights (less than three feet) should be wider to minimize heat loss, while taller peaks require equilateral triangles with a specific height-to-width ratio. These findings are similar to those seen in ancient architecture across the world.
Researchers found a radical new way to move heat, faster than ever before, using hexagonal boron nitride to direct heat like a beam of light. This breakthrough could revolutionize cooling in high-performance electronics, allowing faster and more powerful devices without overheating.
KTU researchers have discovered an innovative solution to store excess heat underground, reducing heat loss and increasing energy efficiency. The ground-based heat accumulator stores heat in the soil, making it available when demand peaks, and can even reduce carbon dioxide emissions.
Researchers at Kyoto University develop thermomajorization theory to unify different distance measures, eliminating ambiguities in previous studies. The approach reveals the Mpemba effect is not restricted to specific temperature ranges, but can emerge across a wide spectrum of thermal conditions.
A new study reveals that many residents in Miami-Dade County face dual challenges of dangerously hot homes and unaffordable cooling costs, driving health and well-being risks. The research identifies four pathways explaining which households are burdened by poor building or air conditioner quality, low income, or household factors.
A new study from the University of Illinois explores how heat stress affects US dairy production, finding a 1% decline in annual milk yield due to high heat and humidity. Small farms are hit harder than large farms, with yields declining by 1.6% annually.
Researchers from Shinshu University investigated erythritol slurry as a promising heat transfer medium for thermal storage and transport. Their findings could help guide the design of industrial waste heat recovery systems, advancing energy efficiency and carbon neutrality.
Researchers discovered that hot and burning droplets can bounce off cool surfaces due to the formation of an invisible air cushion. This phenomenon has potential applications in slowing fire spread and improving engine efficiency.