Latest news with #thermoregulation
Malay Mail
19 hours ago
- Health
- Malay Mail
Hot and bothered? Science explains why some people melt in the heat — and others don't
PARIS, June 29 — When summer temperatures rise, not everyone handles the heat in the same way. Some people breeze through scorching days, while others seem to wilt in the warmth. What lies behind these different coping abilities? The answer can be found in a combination of physical traits, genetic influences and behavioural habits When the warm weather arrives, two distinct camps emerge: those who love the heat and those who hate it. And each tribe has its own rituals and interests. The former dream all year round of jetting off to sun-soaked destinations, while the latter head for northern climes to avoid scorching temperatures. A matter of taste, some would say. But also of physical constitution. Indeed, we're not all equal when it comes to the summer heat. Some people tolerate it less well than others, whether it's a dry or humid kind of heat. These inequalities depend on a number of factors, including age, gender, build and hormonal balance. Human beings are 'homeothermic' animals, meaning that we keep our core temperature relatively constant despite any changes in the surrounding conditions. But, at the same time, our bodies naturally produce heat, which also makes us 'endothermic' creatures, like other mammals. When our bodies are exposed to intense heat, they thermoregulate by producing sweat. It is the evaporation of this sweat through the pores of the skin that evacuates the heat, thus lowering the body's temperature. Biological inequalities But this internal climate-control system doesn't work in the same way for everyone. Babies and older people sweat less than adults, which explains why they are so sensitive to ambient heat. They are also more likely to suffer from dehydration, as they don't tend to feel as thirsty. Yet the body needs a sufficient supply of water to produce sweat and adjust its core temperature. In addition to age, our ability to withstand high temperatures depends on our biological sex. The assumption that women are more sensitive to heat than men is confirmed by numerous scientific studies. Research from the Netherlands, published in 2021 in the journal International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health, reports that deaths during heatwaves are higher among women than men. These differences are due to a number of possible causes, including differences in height, weight, perspiration, cardiovascular strain and hormones. However, it would be wrong to say that women's greater discomfort in summer is solely linked to biology. It also stems from social factors, with the Dutch researchers explaining that women are less likely than men to be well-equipped to cope with the heat due to income inequalities. Changing behaviour to better tolerate heat In addition to the physical differences between individuals, heat tolerance is closely linked to lifestyle. When temperatures rise, many people turn on the air conditioning. And this may be a good idea in the heat of the moment, but it can be less so in the longer term. The stronger the air conditioning, the greater the difference with the outside temperature. This puts our bodies to the test when we leave the air-conditioned space. Too severe a change in temperature (over 10°C) can lead to thermal shock, and in the worst case, loss of consciousness or even cardiac arrest. So it's best to use air conditioners sparingly. Diet also has an impact on our tolerance to high temperatures. Fatty or high-protein foods contain compounds that are relatively difficult to digest. Our bodies have to expend more energy to process them, and therefore generate more heat. That's why we often sweat profusely after eating sausages, burgers and other grilled meats at a barbecue. When the mercury rises, opt for light meals with vegetables, lean meats or fish. Similarly, it's important to limit alcohol consumption. Generally speaking, it's perfectly possible to change your habits to acclimatise better to the heat. And that's good news as the effects of global warming become more keenly felt. Over the period of February 2023 to January 2024, the global surface air temperature was 1.52°C higher compared to pre-industrial levels of 1850-1900, according to the EU's Copernicus monitoring programme. In this context, we're going to have to be adaptable if we're to learn to live in a world where our tolerance to heat will be increasingly challenged. — ETX Studio
The Independent
16-06-2025
- The Independent
I tried a wearable air conditioner and it's a heatwave hero
The reon pocket pro works similarly to its predecessor: it sits in the base of your neck and uses thermoelectric cooling or heating to regulate your body temperature. Instead of blowing cold air or pumping heat, the plate gets cold or warm on contact with your skin. The idea is that by cooling or heating your upper spine – where blood flows close to the surface – the device helps your whole body feel more comfortable. It kind of feels like an ice pack moulded against your skin, or a warm compress. What sets the pro apart is the upgraded hardware. It's larger than the pocket 5 and has a new curved design with a better fit. It's still light at 194g, but the extra surface area means more of your skin stays in contact with the cooling plate to improve heat transfer. There are now two heating and cooling modules – what Sony calls 'dual thermo modules' – inside instead of one, which effectively doubles the surface area and makes the temperature changes more noticeable. Rather than simply running both at once, the modules alternate with varying intensity to maintain more consistent cooling over time. Interestingly, Sony says that the newly developed fan delivers roughly twice the airflow of the reon pocket 5, helping to dissipate heat more effectively while keeping noise levels low. The pro ships with a single adjustable neckband that bends to fit the contour of your neck, making it more comfortable and secure than before. Sony says it's added a flexible silicone extension at the tips and a thicker tube around the wire frame to improve comfort and support during longer wear. You also get two airflow covers in the box. There's a shorter one for T-shirts and a longer one for collared shirts to help direct heat and airflow, depending on what you're wearing. While there's no official IP rating, the device is splash-resistant, with a rubber cap covering the USB-C charging port. You can control it manually via the device itself or use the reon app. Both let you switch between cooling and warming modes, as well as choose your preferred intensity. But the pro also supports a smart auto mode that reacts to your body and environment. It comes bundled with the reon Ttg, a small wearable sensor that clips onto your shirt, feeding environmental data back to the app. Together, the system can adjust the temperature depending on the degrees outside, the humidity, and whether you're indoors or out. It even knows when you're wearing it, automatically switching on or off when it detects contact with your neck, like how wireless earbuds pause when you take them out of your ears. Sony's also tweaked the smart cool mode to react more smoothly to changes in temperature and humidity, so it feels less like a setting and more like something that's just quietly working in the background. Sony claims the pro can last up to 15 hours on smart mode and up to 34 hours at the first level of the cooling setting. In my limited time with the device so far, with use over a couple of days, the cooling kicks in fast within a few seconds of turning it on. The plate started to chill my upper back almost immediately, giving some cool relief to my body. The fan is quiet – Sony says it's 50 per cent quieter than the pocket 5. It was barely audible even in a silent room, and the curved design makes it feel more stable and natural than I expected. It's also surprisingly discreet. It sits flush under a shirt or T-shirt and stays put thanks to the malleable neckband that's included in the box. I pulled it out in the pictures just so you can easily see it, but it can be tucked under your shirt so it's not seen. It's not going to cool your whole body like a proper air conditioner, but for targeted comfort while commuting, working, or even just sitting around at home, it makes a noticeable difference, and is way more effective than a fan that just blew hot air at my face. This one actually cooled my body. I've got the new reon pocket pro to hand right now, and I'll be taking it on the sweaty Jubilee Line to test its effectiveness. Will it be better than one of those dorky wearable neck fans? My full review is coming soon.
