Are fans safe in extreme heat? New studies challenge limits.
With rising global temperatures, the use of electric fans as a cooling method has sparked debate. It was particularly regarding safety limits in high heat. Public health agencies have set differing thresholds: the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) discourages fan use above 32.2°C, while the World Health Organization (WHO) supports using fans up to 40°C in certain conditions. Recent studies, though, offer mixed insights into the role of fans in managing heat stress, especially for older adults and those with heart conditions.
New Studies Examine Fan Benefits in Different Conditions
The new study was published in The New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM). Two new studies by thermal physiologists have added insights but haven’t settled the debate. In one study published in The New England Journal of Medicine, older adults placed in a humid environment at 38-degree Celsius experienced a marked reduction in cardiac stress—31% lower when using fans. Participants who combined fan use with misting saw even greater relief, suggesting that the circulation of moist air aids in lowering heart strain. Ollie Jay, thermal physiologist at the University of Sydney, led the research, concluding that fans may provide significant benefits in humid settings.
On the other hand, a study published in JAMA highlighted the limitations of fans in dry heat. This study involved older adults in an environment set at 36°C with moderate humidity, finding minimal changes in core temperature or heart rate, which only dropped by five beats per minute. Robert Meade, a Harvard University researcher, cautioned that fans may not deliver the cooling needed under these dry conditions.
Humidity as a Key Factor in Fan Use Guidance
These studies indicates that humidity significantly influences the effectiveness of fans, with high moisture levels allowing fans to aid in evaporative cooling. In contrast, in dry conditions, fans may worsen heat stress by circulating hot air. This variability has led the WHO to recommend a 40°C threshold, while the CDC maintains a conservative 32.2°C guideline.
This research, conducted in controlled conditions, highlights the need for real-world studies to better inform public health recommendations. The ongoing debate underscores a critical public health issue as heatwaves become more intense and frequent globally.
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A towering spiral of plasma has been recorded extending millions of kilometres from the Sun. The video was taken by the European Space Agency’s Solar Orbiter during an eight-hour period on October 12, 2022. A coronal mass ejection caused the plasma to rise from the Sun’s surface. The footage captured something which was never observed before. It showed a swirling motion in the solar wind. As per the latest report, scientists also recorded bright streaks that were moving across the frame. Researchers also revealed that these streaks appeared as pixelated lines, which might also ressemble like UFOs. Scientists later confirmed they were distant stars visible due to the imaging process.
Study Identifies Plasma Formation as a Pseudostreamer
The study published in The Astrophysical Journal revealed that the massive structure that appeared in the photos was a large pseudostreamer. It was formed near the Sun’s north pole after a solar flare erupted. The report further highlighted that the plasma reached 1.5 times the Sun’s width and remained visible for three hours. Scientists believes the twisting movement of the plasma was due to Alfvénic fluctuations. These fluctuations happen when waves of charged particles respond to magnetic disturbances. Scientists says the pseudostreamer’s location influenced its unique shape. Magnetic fields at the Sun’s poles are stronger than those near the equator.
Unusual Streaks Explained
The video also showed bright, half-dark lines crossing the screen. These lines appeared to move in a pattern similar to arcade game graphics. ESA confirmed that these were distant stars. The video’s editing technique made them appear as streaks rather than points of light. The Solar Orbiter’s movement against the background created this effect.
Solar Activity Expected to Intensify
The Sun is currently experiencing solar maximum. Flares and solar winds have increased since early 2024. The pseudostreamer in the video formed before this peak. Scientists were surprised by its early appearance. ESA’s Solar Orbiter continues to capture detailed images of solar wind. NASA’s Parker Solar Probe and ESA’s Proba-3 mission are also studying these phenomena. More extreme solar winds are expected in the coming years.
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SpaceX has sent another batch of satellites into orbit. On April 3, a Falcon 9 rocket launched 27 Starlink satellites from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. The rocket lifted off at 9.02 p.m. Eastern Time and was followed by a successful landing of the first-stage booster on a drone ship stationed in the Pacific Ocean. This booster had already been used on four earlier flights. The satellites are expected to be deployed nearly an hour after takeoff if mission steps proceed as planned. The launch formed part of SpaceX’s continued effort to expand its low Earth orbit network.
Details from the Launch Mission Description
According to the mission information provided by SpaceX, the launch marked the fifth use of the same Falcon 9 booster. The drone ship used for recovery was named “Of Course I Still Love You”. This reusable system has become a routine part of SpaceX operations. The booster’s return was completed around eight minutes after liftoff. The launch contributed to the growing total of Starlink satellites which is aimed at building a global broadband network.
Launch Activity in 2025
This latest mission has brought the number of Falcon 9 launches in 2025 to 38. About two-thirds of those have supported the expansion of the Starlink constellation. Earlier this week, two separate launches were also completed. One of them included the Fram2 private astronaut mission, which carried crew members into orbit over Earth’s poles. That mission marked a new milestone in human spaceflight.
Starlink Satellite Network
Over 7100 satellites are now part of the Starlink constellation. The system is already the largest of its kind. SpaceX continues to work on expanding its coverage by launching more satellites regularly. The objective remains to provide consistent internet access worldwide, especially in regions with limited connectivity options.
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