Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “Weather”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2002

[Does weather modify headaches? An empirical evaluation of bio-weather categorization].

BACKGROUND: Headache patients frequently refer to the weather as a triggering factor for their headaches. Apart from a literature review, we tested empirically the generally used classification of weather epochs into a so called bio-weather categorization. METHOD: Headache diary data (frequency, duration, intensity) of 98 patients in a headache trial were correlated with the concurrent bio-weather classification. RESULTS: Correlations were small and significant only for the summer-half of the year (contingency coefficients between 0.04 and 0.06). The classification of certain types of weather as headache prone as used in the current bio-weather classification could only partly be verified. CONCLUSION: There is a clear but small correlation between headache and weather. More, and more fine-grained, studies are warranted, especially for identifying those patients at risk for weather prone headaches. Clinically more important is the weather as a source of causal attributions.

Data Interpretation, Statistical↗
PubMed1994

Weather, beliefs about weather, and disease severity among patients with fibromyalgia.

OBJECTIVE: This investigation 1) examined the relationships among actual weather, disease severity, and symptoms for individuals with fibromyalgia, 2) assessed subjects' beliefs about weather affecting their symptoms, and 3) examined differences between individuals with high and low "weather sensitivity." METHODS: Eighty-four individuals meeting Yunus' criteria for the diagnosis of fibromyalgia participated. Subjects completed the Weather and Pain Questionnaire (WPQ), the Arthritis Impact Measurement Scales (AIMS), the Symptom Checklist-90-Revised (SCL-90-R), and a Visual Analog Scale (VAS) assessing pain. A tender point index and a myalgic score were also obtained. RESULTS: Subjects reported that weather affected musculoskeletal symptoms predominantly. The strongest relationship was found between weather beliefs and self-reported pain scores. Subjects with high weather sensitivity tended to have more functional impairment and psychological distress.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed1992

Pain complaint and the weather: weather sensitivity and symptom complaints in chronic pain patients.

Chronic pain patients frequently report that weather conditions affect their pain; however, no standardized measures of weather sensitivity have been developed. We describe the development and use of the Weather and Pain Questionnaire (WPQ) which assess patient sensitivity to meteorologic variables defined by the National Weather Service (e.g., temperature, precipitation). Seventy chronic pain patients (59% females) with an average age of 43 years completed the WPQ. The instrument was revised using factor analysis to produce a Weather Sensitivity Index (WSI) (48% of variance) with high internal consistency (0.93) and test-retest reliability (r = 0.89). Reporting patterns suggested that patients could reliably identify which meteorologic variables influenced their pain but could not reliably determine which physical symptoms were consistently affected. The most frequently reported meteorologic variables which affect pain complaint were temperature (87%) and humidity (77%). The most frequently reported physical complaints associated with the weather were joint and muscle aches (82% and 79%, respectively). Patients labeled as being 'weather sensitive', defined by greater than median scores on the WPQ, reported significantly greater pain intensity, greater chronicity of pain problems, and more difficulties sleeping than patients with low scores on the WPQ. No differences in gender, education level, disability status, or global psychological distress were found. Results are discussed with respect to physiological and psychological mediating variables.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Weather-based prediction of Plasmodium falciparum malaria in epidemic-prone regions of Ethiopia II. Weather-based prediction systems perform comparably to early detection systems in identifying times for interventions.

BACKGROUND: Timely and accurate information about the onset of malaria epidemics is essential for effective control activities in epidemic-prone regions. Early warning methods that provide earlier alerts (usually by the use of weather variables) may permit control measures to interrupt transmission earlier in the epidemic, perhaps at the expense of some level of accuracy. METHODS: Expected case numbers were modeled using a Poisson regression with lagged weather factors in a 4th-degree polynomial distributed lag model. For each week, the numbers of malaria cases were predicted using coefficients obtained using all years except that for which the prediction was being made. The effectiveness of alerts generated by the prediction system was compared against that of alerts based on observed cases. The usefulness of the prediction system was evaluated in cold and hot districts. RESULTS: The system predicts the overall pattern of cases well, yet underestimates the height of the largest peaks. Relative to alerts triggered by observed cases, the alerts triggered by the predicted number of cases performed slightly worse, within 5% of the detection system. The prediction-based alerts were able to prevent 10-25% more cases at a given sensitivity in cold districts than in hot ones. CONCLUSIONS: The prediction of malaria cases using lagged weather performed well in identifying periods of increased malaria cases. Weather-derived predictions identified epidemics with reasonable accuracy and better timeliness than early detection systems; therefore, the prediction of malarial epidemics using weather is a plausible alternative to early detection systems.

Algorithms↗
PubMed1990

[Meteorologic effects on hemorrhagic diathesis in hemophilia. 1. Demonstrating weather effects based on a complex weather phase scheme].

In haemophilia frequently spontaneous haemorrhages occur without recognition of an evoking cause. Various bleeding-disposing factors are discussed, among others also influences of weather. For the investigation of the meteorotropic relations 1,802 episodes of haemorrhages in 223 haemophiliacs were coordinated to a complex scheme of weather phases. An undisturbed course of the weather was in general connected with a decrease of bleeding, whereas in an influence of low pressure with advection of cold air an increase of the haemorrhages was established. Conspicuous was furthermore the negative biotropism of the radiation-intensive sunny fine weather in summer, which is probably to be traced back to the thermic load in this weather situation.

Atmospheric Pressure↗
PubMed2002

Weather and emotional state: a search for associations between weather and calls to telephone counseling services.

Previous research has revealed that an emotional response to weather might be indicated by calls to telephone counseling services. We analyzed call frequency from such "hotlines", each serving communities in a major metropolitan area of the United States (Detroit, Washington DC, Dallas and Seattle). The periods examined were all, or parts of, the years 1997 and 1998. Associations with subjectively derived synoptic weather types for all cities except Seattle, as well as with individual weather elements [cloudiness (sky cover), precipitation, windspeed, and interdiurnal temperature change] for all four cities, were investigated. Analysis of variance and t-tests (significance of means) were applied to test the statistical significance of differences. Although statistically significant results were obtained in scattered instances, the total number was within that expected by chance, and there was little in the way of consistency to these associations. One clear exception was the increased call frequency during destructive (severe) weather, when there is obvious concern about the damage done by it.

Counseling↗
PubMed2004

Elderly nursing home patients with congestive heart failure after myocardial infarction living in new york city have a higher prevalence of mortality in cold weather and warm weather months.

BACKGROUND: Some studies have found an increase in cardiac events in the winter months. Other studies, from cities in the southern half of the United States, have shown an increase in cardiac events during the summer months. METHODS: We investigated in a prospective study of 517 patients, mean age 81 +/- 8 years, with congestive heart failure (CHF) after prior myocardial infarction who died in a nursing home in New York City with 24-hour on-site physician coverage, whether there was a seasonal variation in mortality from CHF. The exact binomial test was used to see if the number of deaths from CHF in the cold weather and warm weather months was significantly different from those in the spring and fall. RESULTS: Of 517 patients who died, 321 deaths (62%) occurred during the months of December, January, February, March, July, and August, and 196 deaths (38%) occurred during the other 6 months (p <.0001). CONCLUSION: The number of deaths in patients with CHF after prior myocardial infarction in cold weather and warm weather months is significantly higher than those in spring and fall months (p <.0001).

Aged↗
PubMed1998

Atmospheric weathering and silica-coated feldspar: analogy with zeolite molecular sieves, granite weathering, soil formation, ornamental slabs, and ceramics.

Feldspar surfaces respond to chemical, biological, and mechanical weathering. The simplest termination is hydroxyl (OH), which interacts with any adsorption layer. Acid leaching of alkalis and aluminum generated a silica-rich, nanometers-thick skin on certain feldspars. Natural K, Na-feldspars develop fragile surfaces as etch pits expand into micrometer honeycombs, possibly colonized by lichens. Most crystals have various irregular coats. Based on surface-catalytic processes in molecular sieve zeolites, I proposed that some natural feldspars lose weakly bonded Al-OH (aluminol) to yield surfaces terminated by strongly bonded Si-OH (silanol). This might explain why some old feldspar-bearing rocks weather slower than predicted from brief laboratory dissolution. Lack of an Al-OH infrared frequency from a feldspar surface is consistent with such a silanol-dominated surface. Raman spectra of altered patches on acid-leached albite correspond with amorphous silica rather than hydroxylated silica-feldspar, but natural feldspar may respond differently. The crystal structure of H-exchanged feldspar provides atomic positions for computer modeling of complex ideas for silica-terminated feldspar surfaces. Natural weathering also depends on swings of temperature and hydration, plus transport of particles, molecules, and ionic complexes by rain and wind. Soil formation might be enhanced by crushing granitic outcrops to generate new Al-rich surfaces favorable for chemical and biological weathering. Ornamental slabs used by architects and monumental masons might last longer by minimizing mechanical abrasion during sawing and polishing and by silicifying the surface. Silica-terminated feldspar might be a promising ceramic surface.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2004

Microbial populations and activities in the rhizoplane of rock-weathering desert plants. I. Root colonization and weathering of igneous rocks.

Dense layers of bacteria and fungi in the rhizoplane of three species of cactus (Pachycereus pringlei, Stenocereus thurberi, Opuntia cholla) and a wild fig tree (Ficus palmeri) growing in rocks devoid of soil were revealed by bright-field and fluorescence microscopy and field emission scanning electron microscopy. These desert plants are responsible for rock weathering in an ancient lava flow at La Purisima-San Isidro and in sedimentary rock in the Sierra de La Paz, both in Baja California Sur, Mexico. The dominant bacterial groups colonizing the rhizoplane were fluorescent pseudomonads and bacilli. Seven of these bacterial species were identified by the 16S rRNA molecular method. Unidentified fungal and actimomycete species were also present. Some of the root-colonizing microorganisms fixed in vitro N(2), produced volatile and non-volatile organic acids that subsequently reduced the pH of the rock medium in which the bacteria grew, and significantly dissolved insoluble phosphates, extrusive igneous rock, marble, and limestone. The bacteria were able to release significant amounts of useful minerals, such as P, K, Mg, Mn, Fe, Cu, and Zn from the rocks and were thermo-tolerant, halo-tolerant, and drought-tolerant. The microbial community survived in the rhizoplane of cacti during the annual 10-month dry season. This study indicates that rhizoplane bacteria on cacti roots in rock may be involved in chemical weathering in hot, subtropical deserts.

Cactaceae↗
PubMed1991

Sudden infant deaths and cold weather: was the rise in infant mortality in 1986 in England and Wales due to the weather?

Using the daily number of deaths due to sudden infant death syndrome in England and Wales from 1979 to 1985, and the daily temperature recorded at the London Weather Centre, two models were constructed, one including a temperature term and one without it, and the models used to predict the mortality in 1986. It was found that the model using temperature had a slightly better predictive power and successfully accounted for the increased mortality in February 1986. Thus, we conclude that the excess mortality of February 1986 was associated with the unusually cold weather during that month.

Cold Climate↗
PubMed2003

Biofilm in combined sewers: wet weather pollution source and/or dry weather pollution indicator?

In a sewer trunk, three kinds of deposit, acting as potential wet weather sources, be found: the biofilm, the organic layer and the gross bed sediment. This research program, on the "Le Marais" catchment (Paris, France), focused on the biofilm. The objectives were to describe, using a Transmission Electronic Microscope, the architecture of the sewer biofilm and to investigate the contents and the distributions of aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons in biofilm. The electron micrographs illustrated a uniform film of bacteria totally covering the surface of a thick organic matrix. A large cohesion of the cell layer and organic matrix complex, due to exopolysaccharides, was noticed. Hence, the hydrocarbon contents were measured not only in the biofilm itself, but in this complex. Our results showed that almost all hydrocarbons were stored in the gross bed sediment and the organic layer and, consequently, the biofilm was not an important potential source of wet weather pollution. Comparison between the hydrocarbon distributions in the biofilm and in the other deposits indicated that the biofilm could be used as an indicator of the aliphatic hydrocarbon pollution in the organic layer.

Biofilms↗
PubMed2004

Weather-based prediction of Plasmodium falciparum malaria in epidemic-prone regions of Ethiopia I. Patterns of lagged weather effects reflect biological mechanisms.

BACKGROUND: Malaria epidemics due to Plasmodium falciparum are reported frequently in the East African highlands with high case fatality rates. There have been formal attempts to predict epidemics by the use of climatic variables that are predictors of transmission potential. However, little consensus has emerged about the relative importance and predictive value of different factors. Understanding the reasons for variation is crucial to determining specific and important indicators for epidemic prediction. The impact of temperature on the duration of a mosquito's life cycle and the sporogonic phase of the parasite could explain the inconsistent findings. METHODS: Daily average number of cases was modeled using a robust Poisson regression with rainfall, minimum temperature and maximum temperatures as explanatory variables in a polynomial distributed lag model in 10 districts of Ethiopia. To improve reliability and generalizability within similar climatic conditions, we grouped the districts into two climatic zones, hot and cold. RESULTS: In cold districts, rainfall was associated with a delayed increase in malaria cases, while the association in the hot districts occurred at relatively shorter lags. In cold districts, minimum temperature was associated with malaria cases with a delayed effect. In hot districts, the effect of minimum temperature was non-significant at most lags, and much of its contribution was relatively immediate. CONCLUSIONS: The interaction between climatic factors and their biological influence on mosquito and parasite life cycle is a key factor in the association between weather and malaria. These factors should be considered in the development of malaria early warning system.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

The Weather family's Hurricane Katrina saga: Leonard Weather Jr., MD of New Orleans. Interview by George Dawson.

This interview of Leonard Weather Jr., MD was conducted so as to give our members and the medical community at large a version of what a New Orleans, LA physician of African-American descent experienced during Hurricane Katrina and its devastating aftermath. Emile Riley, MD, Meharry Medical School graduate, general surgeon, role model, and New Orleans Civic Leader who helped to blaze the trail for other local African-American physicians, died January 31, 2006 at the St. Luke's Episcopal Hospital in Houston, TX at the age of 71. He evacuated to Houston prior to Hurricane Katrina.

Black or African American↗