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I Doubt It
New Member
USA
12 Posts |
 Posted - 08/16/2001 : 06:04:49
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I found a recent ABC News article on this http://abcnews.go.com/sections/scitech/DailyNews/weather_health_010815.html about this topic. As usual in the media, the focus was not on the important (read "boring") research being done on this topic but on the fringe of this subject which is what bothers me.
A search on the net revealed some work in this field related to plant response to atmospheric conditions, human response to heat and humidity, microclimates like forest canapies, etc. This article seems to be of the "Does your aching knee mean it's going to rain?" variety. Can anyone provide more insight on this topic? Does it mean that The Weather Channel will soon be giving us "Concentration Ability Forecast" graphics and will that mean people will take advantage of that excuse...
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Lisa
SFN Regular
USA
1223 Posts |
 Posted - 08/16/2001 : 08:25:35 [Permalink]
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The Weather Channel already does something like this. They report on high concentrations of seasonal mold and pollen. Also the AQI for pollution. Pretty handy knowledge for some folks.
Affecting concentration or mood? I'm a little more skeptical on that one. If that was true, there are people in parts of the world who should either be thick as bricks or suicidially depressed about 90% of the time.
If the report was just pointing out that weather/temperature has an effect on our bodies, well duh. Musta been a slow news day.
Lisa
Chaos...Confusion...Destruction...My Work Here Is Done |
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I Doubt It
New Member
USA
12 Posts |
Posted - 08/16/2001 : 17:50:48 [Permalink]
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The mold/pollen/ozone reports are something that has a pretty good basis. The article was more or less saying that weather forecasts would tell you that its a bad day for concentration levels, blood circulation or heart conditions - things like that. Although, I think you don't have to be a genius to know that a really hot day is bad for your concentration abilities and that cold days are going to turn your lips blue. The gist of the article was that weather had a subtler effect on human health and that meteorologists were going to give you warnings. It sounded like a scenario where someone could claim to their boss, "Oh, I can't do that job today. The weatherman said there is high risk of heart attack forecast..." Something goofy like that.
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Tokyodreamer
SFN Regular
USA
1447 Posts |
Posted - 08/16/2001 : 17:52:14 [Permalink]
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Ah...I smell ratings gimmick, pure and simple...
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Ma gavte la nata! |
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Greg
Skeptic Friend
USA
281 Posts |
Posted - 08/16/2001 : 18:02:47 [Permalink]
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quote:
It sounded like a scenario where someone could claim to their boss, "Oh, I can't do that job today. The weatherman said there is high risk of heart attack forecast..." Something goofy like that.
People with cogestive heart failure (CHF) and chronic obstructive pulminary disease (COPD) are very sensitive to opressive heat and humidity and other weather conditions. They often end up in the hospital in the mid summer months. TD's comments about ratings are well taken. I think that the network took the sensitivity of people in disease states and ran with the concept.
Greg.
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Zandermann
Skeptic Friend
USA
431 Posts |
Posted - 08/16/2001 : 18:11:38 [Permalink]
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chuckle......now I have an excuse!
"Can't work today...the weather report says it's a bad day for my knee!"
Edited by - Zandermann on 08/16/2001 18:14:31 |
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Lisa
SFN Regular
USA
1223 Posts |
Posted - 08/16/2001 : 21:36:41 [Permalink]
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I guess when I read the article my first reaction was "well, duh!" Of course the weather has an effect on how well human beings can operate. And extremes can affect pre-existing conditions. When I depolyed to Saudi Arabia, I had to double the amount of heart medication I'm on. From SD to Saudi is a big change.
Lisa
Chaos...Confusion...Destruction...My Work Here Is Done |
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