As the summer is just beginning to heat up the Earth, new reports are already measuring the impact of this new season on our health. A new paper found that there are some hot spots around the globe that accommodate deadly heatwaves. Almost 30% of the global population is exposed to these extreme weather conditions for 20 days per year. On top of that, climate change is making this situation worse.

The United States Registered 9,000 Fatal Cases Since 1979 Because of Deadly Heatwaves

The world has been exposed to almost 1,900 episodes of heatwaves that proved to be deadly in the end. This happens when the temperatures surpass certain comfort thresholds. Once above them, people are experiencing difficulties in performing their usual daily activities. Since 1979, there were 9,000 cases of death in the United States alone. In the year of 1995, 700 citizens in Chicago succumbed to death because of extreme heats. These cases urged several thinkers including Stephen Hawking to think of future apocalyptic possibilities.

A team of researchers at the University of Hawaii wanted to take the pulse of today’s weather conditions. Therefore, they analyzed data from 164 cities across 36 countries to understand what makes heatwaves to be deadly. Afterward, they identified present locations around the globe where these unfavorable conditions last for at least 20 days a year. This is how they came to the conclusion that almost 30% of the population lives in life-threatening natural conditions.

The Team Prognoses That 75% of Humans Will Be Exposed to Fatal Heat by 2100

These findings are all based on real cases which make it even more relevant for modern society. To raise awareness about this phenomenon, UH researchers created a web app that shows how and when parts of the world are entering deadly heatwaves. On top of that, the app can read data to calculate the evolution of these harsh conditions in the future.

By 2100, the team prognoses that there will be 75% of the population exposed to fatal heat. This escalation can be averted only by cutting down on carbon emissions and slow down climate change.

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Probably one of the most common New Year’s Eve resolutions is to hit the gym more often or to do whatever it takes to get in shape. Well, one would normally associate going to the gym with actually working out, and not standing around and wondering how the fitness equipment works. Now, for those of you who want to hit the gym, but are turned off by the fact of breaking a sweat, we want to talk a bit about a recently opened gym from Scotland who lets you sleep in peace instead of exercising.

Come and Sleep in a Scotland Gym

Yes, you read that right. A Scotland Gym, which goes by the name of David Lloyd Clubs, has recently launched one of the most outlandish training programs in the world. Trading regular gym equipment for comfortable beds, mattresses, and couches, the Scotland gym invites everyone interested in getting a good night’s sleep to cross their threshold.

Clients will be greeted with chill ambient music, comfortable beds, and, of course, with the chance of getting some sleep. However, even though this Scotland gym is more about sleep than working out, there is a small catch – the ambient temperature will be slightly elevated during nap time to promote optimal calorie burn.

So, you’re probably thinking just about now, why on Earth would a gym allow its clients to sleep instead of breaking a sweat? Well, the reason behind their decision is far easier to comprehend that you would believe – because adults don’t get enough sleep at night.

Lack Of Sleep Accounts for Several Health Issues

According to David Lloyd Clubs spokesperson, sleep deprivation is quite common in adults and, as far as the United States of America is concerned, the issue accounts for over 100,000 traffic accidents which result in 1,500 death and 76,000 injuries each year.

Moreover, several sleep-focused studies have proved that young parents get the least amount of sleep per night compared to the rest of the population (approximately five hours). Sleep deprivation can also decrease office productivity and lead to all manner of health issues such as diabetes, heart issues, and obesity.

And so, with so many adults not being able to rest properly, the gym’s representatives have decided to turn the facility is a cozy, charming, and safe environment, where customers can forget all about their problems and drift away into the land of dreams.

During an interview, a Scotland gym spokesperson declared that the concept is being tested in one location, but more of these establishments may pop up should there be a positive customer feedback.

Image source: Pixabay

Thanks to the relentless efforts of a team of researchers from Philadelphia, premature-born babies could, one day, have greater chances of survival. The Center for Fetal Research team managed to develop an artificial womb which resembles a plastic bag. The team declared that the makeshift womb was successful in keeping premature lambs alive for more than a month. Human versions of this artificial wombs should become available within the next two years, the Philadelphia team declared.

Artificial Womb Can Improve Infantile Rate of Survival

Dr. Marcus Davey, one of the lead authors of the study, and a prominent figure in the area of Australian fetal research declared that the artificial womb developed at Philadelphia’s Center for Fetal Research could significantly improve the outcome of premature births.

At the moment, Davey pointed out that more than 50 percent of infants born at 24 weeks die as a result of complications. The researcher and his team noted that one of the most common causes of death is related to the newborn’s lung being insufficiently developed. However, the artificial womb prototype can improve the infant’s chances of survival.

From a historical standpoint, it appears that the idea of putting together an artificial environment which closely mimics the womb’s biological parameters is not entirely new, researchers attempting to construct one since the early ‘50s.

However, as Davey noted, the research in the area of artificial wombs registered a slow progression, and the environment’s life-preserving capabilities were highly limited. But, in view of the recent advanced in medical technology, babies born at 24 weeks have a better chance of survival.

How Does The New Artificial Womb Work?

As for the new and low-cost artificial womb, Dr. Davey declared that it could replicate to perfection all the functions of a biological womb. Just as the fetus is surrounded by the amniotic liquid inside the mom’s uterus, the plastic bag-like womb is filled with a liquid which has the same physiological properties as its biological counterpart.

Moreover, the artificial womb is capable of supplying the optimal amount of oxygen, to ensure fetal development. As far as results are concerned, Dr. Davey said that the womb had been tested on two premature born lambs.

The results have been deemed promising – using the plastic enclosures, Davey’s team was able to keep the two lambs alive for more than a month. However, the device still needs improvements before the scientists can start human trials. But Davey is confident that a human version will be made available within the next two years.

Photo courtesy of: Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia