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Crank PJ, Prinsloo A, Gallacher C. A news update from the students and new professionals group of the International Society of Biometeorology. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOMETEOROLOGY 2024; 68:1229-1232. [PMID: 38472352 DOI: 10.1007/s00484-024-02652-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2024] [Revised: 03/04/2024] [Accepted: 03/06/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024]
Abstract
An update from the new Chair and Executive Committee of the Students and New Professionals Group of the International Society of Biometeorology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter J Crank
- Department of Geography & Environmental Management, Faculty of Environment, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, N2L 3G1, Canada.
| | - Ariel Prinsloo
- School of Archaeology, Geography and Environmental Studies, Faculty of Science, Witwatersrand University, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Claire Gallacher
- Faculty of Environmental Science, The Dresden University of Technology, Dresden, Germany
- Leibniz Institute of Ecological Urban and Regional Development (IOER), Dresden, Germany
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Hass AL, McCanless K, Cooper W, Ellis K, Fuhrmann C, Kintziger KW, Sugg M, Runkle J. Heat exposure misclassification: Do current methods of classifying diurnal range in individually experienced temperatures and heat indices accurately reflect personal exposure? INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOMETEOROLOGY 2022; 66:1339-1348. [PMID: 35378617 DOI: 10.1007/s00484-022-02280-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2022] [Revised: 03/18/2022] [Accepted: 03/22/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Wearable sensors have been used to collect information on individual exposure to excessive heat and humidity. To date, no consistent diurnal classification method has been established, potentially resulting in missed opportunities to understand personal diurnal patterns in heat exposure. Using individually experienced temperatures (IET) and heat indices (IEHI) collected in the southeastern United States, this work aims to determine whether current methods of classifying IETs and IEHIs accurately characterize "day," which is typically the warmest conditions, and "night," which is typically the coolest conditions. IET and IEHI data from four locations were compared with the closest hourly weather station. Different day/night classifications were compared to determine efficacy. Results indicate that diurnal IET and IEHI ranges are higher than fixed-site ranges. Maximum IETs and IEHIs are warmer and occur later in the day than ambient conditions. Minimum IETs are lower and occur earlier in the day than at weather stations, which conflicts with previous assumptions that minimum temperatures occur at night. When compared to commonly used classification methods, a method of classifying day and night based on sunrise and sunset times best captured the occurrence of maximum IETs and IEHIs. Maximum IETs and IEHIs are often identified later in the evening, while minimum IETs and IEHIs occur throughout the day. These findings support future research focusing on nighttime heat exposure, which can exacerbate heat-related health issues, and diurnal patterns of personal exposure throughout the entire day as individual patterns do not necessarily follow the diurnal pattern seen in ambient conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alisa L Hass
- Department of Geosciences, Middle Tennessee State University, P.O. Box 9, Murfreesboro, TN, 37132, USA.
| | - Kathryn McCanless
- Department of Geosciences, Middle Tennessee State University, P.O. Box 9, Murfreesboro, TN, 37132, USA
| | - Winton Cooper
- Department of Geosciences, Middle Tennessee State University, P.O. Box 9, Murfreesboro, TN, 37132, USA
| | - Kelsey Ellis
- Department of Geography, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Knoxville, TN, USA
| | | | - Kristina W Kintziger
- Department of Public Health, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Knoxville, TN, USA
| | - Margaret Sugg
- Department of Geography and Planning, Appalachian State University, Boone, NC, USA
| | - Jennifer Runkle
- North Carolina Institute for Climate Studies, North Carolina State University, Asheville, NC, USA
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Lees AM, Vecellio DJ, Dzyuban Y. A news update from the students and new professionals group. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOMETEOROLOGY 2022; 66:427-429. [PMID: 34846568 PMCID: PMC8630419 DOI: 10.1007/s00484-021-02203-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2021] [Revised: 02/09/2021] [Accepted: 02/10/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Angela M Lees
- School of Environmental and Rural Science, University of New England, Armidale, NSW, 2350, Australia.
| | - Daniel J Vecellio
- Center for Healthy Aging, College of Health and Human Development, Pennsylvania State University, PA, University Park, USA
| | - Yuliya Dzyuban
- Office of Core Curriculum, Singapore Management University, Singapore, Singapore
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Arroquia-Cuadros B, Marqués-Mateu Á, Sebastia L, Fdez-Arroyabe P. A web-based support system for biometeorological research. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOMETEOROLOGY 2021; 65:1313-1323. [PMID: 32789557 DOI: 10.1007/s00484-020-01985-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2019] [Revised: 06/26/2020] [Accepted: 07/30/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Data are the fundamental building blocks to conduct scientific studies that seek to understand natural phenomena in space and time. The notion of data processing is ubiquitous and nearly operates in any project that requires gaining insight from the data. The increasing availability of information sources, data formats and download services offered to the users, makes it difficult to reuse or exploit the potential of those new resources in multiple scientific fields. In this paper, we present a spatial extract-transform-load (spatial-ETL) approach for downloading atmospheric datasets in order to produce new biometeorological indices and expose them publicly for reuse in research studies. The technologies and processes involved in our work are clearly defined in a context where the GDAL library and the Python programming language are key elements for the development and implementation of the geoprocessing tools. Since the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is the source of information, the ETL process is executed each time this service publishes an updated atmospheric prediction model, thus obtaining different forecasts for spatial and temporal analyses. As a result, we present a web application intended for downloading these newly created datasets after processing, and visualising interactive web maps with the outcomes resulting from a number of geoprocessing tasks. We also elaborate on all functions and technologies used for the design of those processes, with emphasis on the optimisation of the resources as implemented in cloud services.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ángel Marqués-Mateu
- Department of Cartographic Engineering, Geodesy and Photogrammetry, Universitat Politècnica de València, Valencia, Spain
| | - Laura Sebastia
- Valencian Research Institute for Artificial Intelligence, Universitat Politècnica de València, Valencia, Spain
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Anderson V, Leung ACW, Mehdipoor H, Jänicke B, Milošević D, Oliveira A, Manavvi S, Kabano P, Dzyuban Y, Aguilar R, Agan PN, Kunda JJ, Garcia-Chapeton G, de França Carvalho Fonsêca V, Nascimento ST, Zurita-Milla R. Technological opportunities for sensing of the health effects of weather and climate change: a state-of-the-art-review. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOMETEOROLOGY 2021; 65:779-803. [PMID: 33427946 DOI: 10.1007/s00484-020-02063-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2020] [Revised: 11/23/2020] [Accepted: 12/10/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Sensing and measuring meteorological and physiological parameters of humans, animals, and plants are necessary to understand the complex interactions that occur between atmospheric processes and the health of the living organisms. Advanced sensing technologies have provided both meteorological and biological data across increasingly vast spatial, spectral, temporal, and thematic scales. Information and communication technologies have reduced barriers to data dissemination, enabling the circulation of information across different jurisdictions and disciplines. Due to the advancement and rapid dissemination of these technologies, a review of the opportunities for sensing the health effects of weather and climate change is necessary. This paper provides such an overview by focusing on existing and emerging technologies and their opportunities and challenges for studying the health effects of weather and climate change on humans, animals, and plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vidya Anderson
- Climate Lab, Department of Physical & Environmental Sciences, University of Toronto Scarborough, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
| | - Andrew C W Leung
- Climate Lab, Department of Physical & Environmental Sciences, University of Toronto Scarborough, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
- Data & Services Section, Atmospheric Monitoring and Data Services, Meteorological Services of Canada, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Toronto, Canada.
| | - Hamed Mehdipoor
- Faculty of Geo-Information Science and Earth Observation (ITC), University of Twente, PO Box 217, 7500 AE, Enschede, the Netherlands.
| | | | - Dragan Milošević
- Climatology and Hydrology Research Centre, Faculty of Sciences, University of Novi Sad, Trg Dositeja Obradovića 3, Novi Sad, 21000, Serbia
| | - Ana Oliveira
- IN+ Center for Innovation, Technology and Policy Research, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Rovisco Pais 1, 1049-001, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - S Manavvi
- Department of Architecture and Planning, Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee, Uttarakhand, India
| | - Peter Kabano
- Faculty of Geo-Information Science and Earth Observation (ITC), University of Twente, PO Box 217, 7500 AE, Enschede, the Netherlands
- Department of Geography, School of Environment, Education & Development, The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, UK
| | - Yuliya Dzyuban
- Office of Core Curriculum, Singapore Management University, Administration Building, 81 Victoria Street, Singapore, 188065, Singapore
| | - Rosa Aguilar
- Faculty of Geo-Information Science and Earth Observation (ITC), University of Twente, PO Box 217, 7500 AE, Enschede, the Netherlands
| | - Peter Nkashi Agan
- Department of General Studies, Faculty of Humanities, Management and Social Sciences, Federal University Wukari, P.M.B 1020, Wukari, Taraba State, Nigeria
| | - Jonah Joshua Kunda
- School of Geography, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK
| | - Gustavo Garcia-Chapeton
- División de Ciencia y Tecnología, Centro Universitario de Occidente - CUNOC, Universidad de San Carlos de Guatemala - USAC, Calle Rodolfo Robles 29-99 zona 1, Quetzaltenango, Guatemala
| | - Vinicius de França Carvalho Fonsêca
- Brain Function Research Group, School of Physiology, 2193, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Innovation Group of Biometeorology, Behavior and Animal Welfare (INOBIO-MANERA), Universidade Federal da Paraíba, Areia, 58397 000, Brazil
| | - Sheila Tavares Nascimento
- Faculty of Agronomy and Veterinary Medicine, University of Brasília, Asa Norte, Brasília, DF, 70910-970, Brazil
| | - Raul Zurita-Milla
- Faculty of Geo-Information Science and Earth Observation (ITC), University of Twente, PO Box 217, 7500 AE, Enschede, the Netherlands
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Sugg MM, Fuhrmann CM, Runkle JD. Perceptions and experiences of outdoor occupational workers using digital devices for geospatial biometeorological monitoring. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOMETEOROLOGY 2020; 64:471-483. [PMID: 31811392 DOI: 10.1007/s00484-019-01833-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2019] [Revised: 10/03/2019] [Accepted: 11/15/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Wearable devices have the potential to track and monitor a wide range of biometeorological conditions (e.g., temperature, UV, air quality) and health outcomes (e.g., mental stress, physical activity, physiologic strain, and cognitive impairments). These sensors provide the potential for personalized environmental exposure information that can be harnessed for at-risk populations. Personalized environmental exposure information is of particular importance for populations that are continuously exposed to hazardous environmental conditions or with underlying health conditions. Yet, for these devices to be effective, individuals must be willing to monitor their health and, if prompted, adhere to warnings or notifications. To date, no study has examined the perceptions and use of digital devices and wearable sensors among vulnerable outdoor working populations. This study evaluated digital device use and perceptions among a population of groundworkers in three diverse geographic sites in the southeastern USA (Boone, NC, Raleigh, NC, and Starkville, MS). Our results demonstrate that biometeorological health interventions should focus on smartphone technology as a platform for monitoring environmental exposure and associated health outcomes. It was encouraging to find that those study participants were very likely to wear sensors and utilize global positioning system technology despite potential privacy issues. In addition, 3 out of 4 workers indicated that they would change their behavior if given a personalized heat preventive warning. Future development of wearable sensors and smartphone applications should integrate personalized weather warnings and ensure privacy to facilitate the use of these technologies among vulnerable populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margaret M Sugg
- Department of Geography and Planning, Appalachian State University, P.O. Box 32066, Boone, NC, 28608, USA.
| | - Christopher M Fuhrmann
- Department of Geosciences, Mississippi State University, P.O. Box 5448, Mississippi State, MS, 39762, USA
| | - Jennifer D Runkle
- North Carolina Institute for Climate Studies, North Carolina State University, 151 Patton Avenue, Asheville, NC, 28801, USA
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Green H, Bailey J, Schwarz L, Vanos J, Ebi K, Benmarhnia T. Impact of heat on mortality and morbidity in low and middle income countries: A review of the epidemiological evidence and considerations for future research. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2019; 171:80-91. [PMID: 30660921 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2019.01.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2018] [Revised: 01/04/2019] [Accepted: 01/04/2019] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
Heat waves and high air temperature are associated with increased morbidity and mortality. However, the majority of research conducted on this topic is focused on high income areas of the world. Although heat waves have the most severe impacts on vulnerable populations, relatively few studies have studied their impacts in low and middle income countries (LMICs). The aim of this paper is to review the existing evidence in the literature on the impact of heat on human health in LMICs. We identified peer-reviewed epidemiologic studies published in English between January 1980 and August 2018 investigating potential associations between high ambient temperature or heat waves and mortality or morbidity. We selected studies according to the following criteria: quantitative studies that used primary and/or secondary data and report effect estimates where ambient temperature or heat waves are the main exposure of interest in relation to human morbidity or mortality within LMICs. Of the total 146 studies selected, eighty-two were conducted in China, nine in other countries of East Asia and the Pacific, twelve in South Asia, ten in Sub-Saharan Africa, eight in the Middle East and North Africa, and seven in each of Latin America and Europe. The majority of studies (92.9%) found positive associations between heat and human morbidity/mortality. Additionally, while outcome variables and study design differed greatly, most utilized a time-series study design and examined overall heath related morbidity/mortality impacts in an entire population, although it is notable that the selected studies generally found that the elderly, women, and individuals within the low socioeconomic brackets were the most vulnerable to the effects of high temperature. By highlighting the existing evidence on the impact of extreme heat on health in LMICs, we hope to determine data needs and help direct future studies in addressing this knowledge gap. The focus on LMICs is justified by the lack of studies and data studying the health burden of higher temperatures in these regions even though LMICs have a lower capacity to adapt to high temperatures and thus an increased risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hunter Green
- Department of Family Medicine and Public Health, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, 92093 CA, USA
| | - Jennifer Bailey
- Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Lara Schwarz
- Department of Family Medicine and Public Health, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, 92093 CA, USA; Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Jennifer Vanos
- Department of Family Medicine and Public Health, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, 92093 CA, USA; Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Kristie Ebi
- Center for Health and the Global Environment, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Tarik Benmarhnia
- Department of Family Medicine and Public Health, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, 92093 CA, USA; Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California, San Diego, CA, USA.
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Allen MJ, Vanos J, Hondula DM, Vecellio DJ, Knight D, Mehdipoor H, Lucas R, Fuhrmann C, Lokys H, Lees A, Nascimento ST, Leung ACW, Perkins DR. Supporting sustainability initiatives through biometeorology education and training. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOMETEOROLOGY 2017; 61:93-106. [PMID: 28725975 DOI: 10.1007/s00484-017-1408-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2017] [Revised: 07/08/2017] [Accepted: 07/09/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
The International Society of Biometeorology (ISB) has covered significant breadth and depth addressing fundamental and applied societal and environmental challenges in the last 60 years. Biometeorology is an interdisciplinary science connecting living organisms to their environment, but there is very little understanding of the existence and placement of this discipline within formal educational systems and institutions. It is thus difficult to project the ability of members of the biometeorological community-especially the biometeorologists of the future-to help solve global challenges. In this paper, we ask: At present, how we are training people to understand and think about biometeorology? We also ask: What are the current tools and opportunities in which biometeorologists might address future challenges? Finally, we connect these two questions by asking: What type of new training and skill development is needed to better educate "biometeorologists of the future" to more effectively address the future challenges? To answer these questions, we provide quantitative and qualitative evidence from an educationally focused workshop attended by new professionals in biometeorology. We identify four common themes (thermal comfort and exposures, agricultural productivity, air quality, and urbanization) that biometeorologists are currently studying and that we expect to be important in the future based on their alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Review of recent literature within each of these thematic areas highlights a wide array of skill sets and perspectives that biometeorologists are already using. Current and new professionals within the ISB have noted highly varying and largely improvised educational pathways into the field. While variability and improvisation may be assets in promoting flexibility, adaptation, and interdisciplinarity, the lack of formal training in biometeorology raises concerns about the extent to which continuing generations of scholars will identify and engage with the community of scholarship that the ISB has developed over its 60-year history.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael J Allen
- Department of Political Science and Geography, Old Dominion University, 7035 Batten Arts and Letters, Norfolk, VA, USA.
| | - Jennifer Vanos
- Climate, Atmospheric Science, and Physical Oceanography Department Scripps Institution of Oceanography, UC San Diego, San Diego, USA
- Department of Family Medicine and Public Health, School of Medicine, UC San Diego, San Diego, USA
| | - David M Hondula
- School of Geographical Sciences and Urban Planning, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, USA
| | - Daniel J Vecellio
- Climate Science Lab, Department of Geography, Texas A&M University, Texas, , College Station, TX, USA
| | - David Knight
- Department of Engineering Education, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia, USA
| | - Hamed Mehdipoor
- Department of Geo-Information Processing, Faculty of Geo-Information Science and Earth Observation (ITC), University of Twente, Enschede, The Netherlands
| | - Rebekah Lucas
- School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Chris Fuhrmann
- Department of Geosciences, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS, USA
| | - Hanna Lokys
- Climatology Group, Institute of Landscape Ecology, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Angela Lees
- School of Agriculture and Food Sciences, Animal Science Group, The University of Queensland, Gatton, QLD, Australia
| | | | - Andrew C W Leung
- Climate Laboratory, Department of Physical & Environmental Sciences, University of Toronto Scarborough, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - David R Perkins
- Center for Climate Change Communication, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA, USA
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Vanos J. An update from the Chair of the students and new professionals Group of the International Society of Biometeorology. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOMETEOROLOGY 2017; 61:89-92. [PMID: 28689335 DOI: 10.1007/s00484-017-1388-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2017] [Revised: 05/27/2017] [Accepted: 05/30/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
The Students and New Professionals Group of the International Society of Biometeorology is composed of approximately 68 members who are either within 5 years from completing graduate studies or under 35 years of age. The group is represented by 21 countries from around the world and a variety of disciplinary perspectives working within the area of biometeorology. Here, an update from the Chair of the Students and New Professionals Group of the International Society of Biometeorology is provided based on accomplishments and new progress from 2014 to 2017 in advance of the ISB's 60th Anniversary.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer Vanos
- Scripps Institution of Oceanography and School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, San Diego, USA.
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