International Journal of Biometeorology最新文献

With the increasing frequency of summer heatwaves under global warming, Qinghai Province, located on the Tibetan Plateau in western China, is a cold and high-elevation region that has emerged as an attractive summer destination, drawing a growing number of tourists and showing substantial potential for tourism development. However, there is a lack of local thermal comfort studies to inform sustainable tourism planning in the region. Based on the ERA5 dataset from 1979 to 2024, this study investigates the spatiotemporal variations of the Universal Thermal Climate Index (UTCI) and thermal comfort in Qinghai Province. The results indicate that the regional average UTCI of − 6.81 °C corresponds to slight cold stress and has increased at a rate of 0.4 °C/decade, resulting in an increase of 3.49 comfortable days/decade, primarily driven by rising 2 m air temperatures. Qinghai, particularly Haidong and Xining, has become increasingly favorable for summer tourism due to both the higher proportion and growth of comfortable summer days, hosting three of the province’s four national 5 A-level tourist attractions, the highest official rating for scenic sites in China. The ongoing enhancement of thermal comfort presents significant opportunities for tourism-driven economic growth.

Climate change is expected to intensify thermal stress in coastal ecosystems, threatening biodiversity and ecosystem functioning. In this study, we investigate species-specific and colony-level variation in thermal tolerance among three psammophilous ant species (Mycetophylax spp.) inhabiting Brazilian coastal dunes. Using critical thermal limits (CTmin and CTmax), linear mixed-effects models, and heritability estimates, we assessed the role of diel activity rhythms and genetic structure in shaping thermal performance. Results revealed that M. simplex, a nocturnal and substrate-specialized species, exhibited significantly lower CTmin and CTmax values compared to diurnal congeners, and that colony identity explained a substantial portion of variance (H² = 0.53 for CTmin, H² = 0.39 for CTmax). These findings suggest limited thermal resilience and evolutionary constraints in M. simplex, reinforcing its potential as a bioindicator of thermal vulnerability. Given projected warming and habitat disturbance in southeastern Brazil, we highlight the importance of integrating functional traits and genetic metrics into environmental monitoring and conservation planning.

Cold spells are intensively studied for their associations with mortality, but evidence is limited in low-latitude plateau regions. The purpose of this study was to investigate the impacts of cold spells on the mortality risks in Yunnan Province. Mortality and meteorological data were collected from 129 counties in Yunnan between 2014 and 2020 and summarized into 16 administrative regions as the research units. A quasi-Poisson-based distributed lag nonlinear model (DLNM) was used to assess the impacts of cold spells on mortality in cold seasons (October to March). Random-effects meta-analysis was applied to compute the pooled effects, and spatial heterogeneity and population vulnerability were evaluated by adjusting for regional characteristics and stratified analysis. The best model fit was obtained when cold spells were defined as the daily average temperature below the 10th percentile for 3 consecutive days. The pooled relative risks (RR) of non-accidental mortality for lag 0 days, lag 0–7 days, lag 0–14 days, and lag 0–21 days were 1.01 (95% CI: 1.01–1.02), 1.08 (1.04–1.12), 1.11 (1.06–1.17), and 1.13 (1.06–1.20), respectively. Higher cold spell effects were observed for cardiovascular and respiratory disease mortality, with RRs of 1.14 (1.06–1.23) and 1.22 (1.13–1.32), respectively. Populations in the more easterly regions of Yunnan, or individuals aged ≥ 75 years, exhibited higher risks of non-accidental mortality Cold spells increased mortality risk, with the effect modified by geography, age, and lag days. These findings indicate the necessity to develop regional prevention strategies and early warning systems.

The therapeutic potential of spa landscapes represents an emerging intersection between environmental psychology, medical geology, health geography, and wellness tourism research. This narrative review synthesizes existing empirical findings and theoretical frameworks to examine how spa environments contribute to human health and well-being outcomes. Historically, European spa towns exemplify therapeutic landscapes, rooted in the use of natural healing resources such as mineral waters, gases, peloids, and climate. These environments are shaped not only by their physical resources but also by multisensory qualities, spatial aesthetics, and cultural traditions, which together create complex therapeutic settings. Drawing from landscape architecture, environmental psychology, therapeutic horticulture, and medical geography, this review explores the mechanisms through which natural and designed spa landscapes facilitate healing processes. Evidence suggests that benefits arise from interactions between environmental quality, embodied experiences, and social and cultural factors. Yet scientific understanding remains fragmented, and no unified typology of spa environments, whether medical or wellness-oriented, or across various global contexts, currently exists. This review highlights the need for interdisciplinary empirical studies and proposes a conceptual basis for future research bridging environmental science, health geography, and wellness studies.

Workers engaged in outdoor activities are more vulnerable to heat stress and climate change due to direct exposure to environmental conditions. This study aims to preliminary evaluate the applicability of the Discomfort Index (DI)—an empirical index based on dry-bulb and dew point temperatures—in assessing heat stress in open-air environments across various climatic regions of Iran. We employed the De Martonne climatic classification, encompassing six distinct climates, and selected one representative station for each. Meteorological parameters, including minimum and maximum temperatures (°C) and relative humidity (%), were collected from synoptic stations across these six different climatic regions of Iran (Garmsar, Gorgan, Rasht, Ilam, Qaem Shahr, and Piranshahr) over a 30-year period (1987–2017). Necessary parameters, such as dew point temperature and water vapor pressure (hPa), were calculated using established formulas. Subsequently, the DI and three widely utilized heat stress indices (WBGT, ET, and THI) were computed. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software (version 23) and Excel 2013. The highest spring dew point temperature (15.8 ± 2.6 °C) was recorded in Rasht’s very humid climate in May, while the lowest (-1.28 ± 3.3 °C) was in Piranshahr’s humid climate in March. In summer, Gorgan (semi-humid climate) exhibited the highest dew point temperature in August (21.56 ± 1.7 °C), whereas Ilam (Mediterranean climate) recorded the lowest in June (1.95 ± 3.1 °C). The highest mean values of the DI, WBGT, ET, and THI indices during spring and summer were observed in Gorgan’s semi-arid climate in May and August, respectively. Conversely, the lowest values were documented in Piranshahr’s humid climate in March and June. Correlation analyses between the DI and other thermal indices in both spring and summer revealed a direct and significantly high correlation. The highest correlation coefficient for the DI was found in the semi-humid climate (R2 = 0.999), while the lowest was observed in the Mediterranean climate (R2 = 0.934). The strong correlation between the DI and other examined heat stress indices, along with its straightforward calculation method, absence of globe temperature measurement requirements, and estimability through meteorological data, positions it as a valuable tool for assessing thermal stress in open environments. Given its high validity and efficiency, the DI presents a viable alternative to more complex indices. The findings indicate that simpler indices, such as the DI, can enhance the management of thermal conditions and mitigate heat stress risks across various regions.

In the mechanism of thermal health problems, not only body temperature but also blood pressure and blood flow rate are key factors. Human body simulation is a useful tool for predicting these physiological quantities under various conditions. Therefore, we aimed to develop a new human-body simulation model to predict body temperature, blood pressure, and blood flow rate. Our model consists of a “physical model” that simulates the phenomena of heat and blood transfer based on the physical properties of the human body, and an “autonomic regulation model” that simulates the phenomena in which the physical properties of the human body are regulated by the activity of the autonomic nervous system. The physical model consists of a “thermal network (TNW) model” that simulates heat flow and body temperature, and a “cardiovascular (CV) model” that simulates blood flow and blood pressure. In this study, we focused only on developing the physical model. In addition, based on experimental data from a recent study, parameter settings were derived to simulate an average Japanese male in their 20s. By applying the derived parameter settings to the physical model developed in this study, we confirmed that the calculated body temperature, blood flow rate, and blood pressure under a thermally neutral and supine condition reproduced the experimental values well.

The phenology of plants varies greatly over broad geographic gradients, according to climate zone and vegetation type. Phenological records were collected from 2007 to 2024 at KUBG, which is one of the 89 gardens belonging to the International Phenological Gardens (IPG No. 151). The garden is located in Western Lithuania, close to the Baltic Sea coastline (about 3.5 km) (55°42′40″N 21°7′50″E). For the analysis, only 5 species were chosen. The average annual air temperature in Klaipėda is 7.9 °C. The coldest period is January-February, where the average air temperature is -1.0 °C. The warmest period occurs in July-August (aver. 18.2 °C). The autumn temperature of the last season had the most influence: the strong correlation was with leaf unfolding of all trees, as well as strong or moderate correlation with the beginning and full flowering of Salix viminalis and Syringa ×chinensis. Only the precipitation of last autumn and precipitation of January-February had a statistically significant influence on spring phenophases. Salix viminalis had the longest vegetation period (224 days) while the Sambucus nigra had the shortest one − 187 days. Precipitation during January-February had a strong or moderate positive correlation with the leaf unfolding of all examined trees, as well as a moderate positive effect for beginning and full flowering of Syringa chinensis. The summer and autumn temperature had a negative relation for both vegetation periods. The strongest correlation appeared between summer temperature and vegetation period of Corylus avellana and Sambucus nigra. These findings highlight the importance of long-term phenological monitoring as a sensitive indicator of climatic variability and as a tool for ecosystem management and climate adaptation strategies.

Ultraviolet B radiation damages DNA increases oxidative stress and impairs fertility and survival in organisms. The spermatozoa are particularly vulnerable, experiencing altered structure, function, and fertilization capacity due to UVB exposure. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effects of ultraviolet B radiation and cold storage on the morphology and physiology of ram spermatozoa. The samples of fresh semen from seven animals, obtained during six collections, yielded 42 ejaculates. Aliquots were diluted in Tris egg yolk and were subjected to varying doses of UVB radiation, namely no radiation (0 mJ/cm²), 2.199 mJ/cm², 4.398 mJ/cm², 6.597 mJ/cm², 8.796 mJ/cm², and 10.995 mJ/cm². All evaluations were carried out in duplicate and immediately after UVB exposure; samples were also stored at 5 °C for analysis at 24 and 48 h. Sperm were evaluated for motility using a computer assisted sperm analysis system (CASA), apart from plasma membrane integrity, mitochondrial function, DNA integrity, and acrosomal fluorescence. While UVB exposure damaged the acrosome, the plasma membrane and DNA remained intact. Storage at 5 °C for 24 h and 48 h did not affect any of the structures studied, and even though certain aspects of sperm kinematics were affected, they retained motility. Thus, exposure to UVB resulted in lower sperm motility and structures without completely damaging the sperm.

Air pollution influences climate change and contributes to respiratory allergies, yet interactions between these factors are less understood. The escalation of air pollutants and temperature increases can influence pollen concentrations, shifts in pollen seasons, and an increase in seasonal allergies. This study investigates trends of Broussonetia papyrifera, Pinus, Cannabis sativa, and grasses (Poaceae) pollen in Pakistan over the past 16 years, as well as their correlations with air pollutants and meteorological parameters. Minute-based data of 10 air pollutants were recorded using a HAZ-6000 scanner in Islamabad during 2022-23. Datasets on meteorological parameters (such as precipitation, temperature, wind speed, and relative humidity) and pollen concentrations (2008–2023) were retrieved from the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD). Both datasets were normalized, and monthly averages were calculated. Spearman correlation of pollen concentrations with air pollutants and meteorological factors was performed. Mean monthly pollen concentrations, meteorological parameters, and air pollutants were plotted utilizing the NCAR Command Language (NCL). Interestingly, O₃, CO₂, and NO₂ showed a positive correlation, whereas SO₂, NO, and CO showed a negative correlation with daily pollen concentrations/m³. Pollen season trends comparative analysis indicated a shift in seasonal pollen integral (SPIn), start date, and duration. This is the first study from Pakistan to suggest that increasing temperature and air pollutants correlate with higher pollen concentrations and extended pollen season. This research provides a baseline system for examining allergenic pollen season shifts over time, indicating an increase in pollen allergy abundance with climate change in South Asia.

Objective Climate change is increasingly recognized as a significant public health threat, particularly for vulnerable populations such as pregnant women. This study examines the association between heatwave and coldwave exposure and the risk of severe maternal morbidity (SMM) at delivery in North Carolina from 2011 to 2019. Methods We incorporate a matched analysis design using patient delivery data to identify disparities across the rural-urban continuum, measurements of neighborhood racial and economic inequality, geographic region, and sociodemographic groups (age, race/ethnicity, and insurance type). Results We found elevated risks of SMM associated with heatwave and coldwave exposures We observed an increased risk of severe maternal morbidity (SMM20) at delivery following exposure to heatwave (HW RR: 1.07, CI: 1.02 to 1.11) and coldwave (CW RR: 1.05, CI: 1.02 to 1.09) events during the last week of gestation in the advanced maternal age (> 35) subgroup. For coldwaves, the risk of SMM20 was elevated during the last week of gestation in both the western mountains (RR: 1.10, CI: 1.02 to 1.18) and rural (RR: 1.14, CI: 1.01 to 1.29) regions. Hispanic subgroups exhibited elevated SMM risks, particularly during heatwaves (lag0 to lag7, RR: 1.09, CI: 1.00 to 1.18) and coldwaves (lag0 to lag3, RR: 1.10, CI: 1.01 to 1.19; lag0 to lag7, RR: 1.04, CI: 1.00 to 1.07). Conclusion Our findings suggest that extreme temperature events exacerbate vulnerabilities in specific maternal subpopulations, underscoring the need to account for local context and population characteristics in maternal health assessments. Future research should continue to explore these associations and the role of additional environmental and social factors in SMM risk.