Latest news with #UniversityOfReading
The Sun
4 days ago
- Climate
- The Sun
Why having HOT drink cools you down in warm weather as scientists reveal best shower temperature for summer heat too
IT MIGHT sound bizarre, but reaching for a hot drink as temperatures soar may actually cool you down faster than a glass of icy water. And a cold shower might not be the best temperature to beat the heat, either. 2 2 Met Office officials expect this week's sizzling weather to continue over the weekend, with heatwave conditions "likely". Forecasters predict that those living in the East of England will likely see the warmest weather this week, with temperatures as high as 29C in London. Sun-seekers will be sweating more than usual this week - when it is important to stay hydrated and replenish the minerals we lose when we sweat. On a very hot day - like high 30s - people sweat an average of 3-4 litres per hour and up to 10 litres a day, according to research from the University of Reading. The combined amount is the same as 40 cups of tea, researchers wrote. But while replenishing the lost liquid, researchers suggest choosing a hot drink over a cold one. "For a short amount of time, hot drinks raise your core body temperature," researchers explained. "But it induces sweating, which then lowers your temperature." While cold and ice drinks do cool you down too, it's thought "hot drinks might be slightly more effective than cold". Researchers also busted the myth that a cold shower is the most effective way to cool down. Ireland to sizzle in 24C heat as heatwave arrives and Met Eireann reveal hottest areas Although research shows that putting your feet in cold water is a good way to reduce core body temperature - a lukewarm shower is a better option. "Having a lukewarm shower or bath will cool you down faster," researchers wrote. "Don't be tempted to soak in freezing cold water as cold shock can be dangerous." You're putting your fan in the wrong place WITH the weather getting warmer, you might find yourself bringing the electric fan out of storage. British summers can be particularly gruelling, with houses designed to store heat rather than release it. For the best fan placement, you want to find your Goldilocks Zone - the area where you can enjoy the most amount of cool air. Avoid placing the fan up high. While you might think this will tackle the hot air closer to the ceiling, it's actually better placed lower to the ground. This way, the fan can pick up the cooler air that lingers closer to the floor and push it around the room. You can also adjust your fan so it faces the wall opposite from where you are sat - this will drive the air to the surface. Cool air will bounce off the wall, mixing with the rest of the air and bring the overall temperature of the room down.
Washington Post
6 days ago
- Science
- Washington Post
See where your flights will experience this climate-fueled turbulence
It gets bumpy traveling with a toddler. On a descent into JFK airport, we experienced stomach lurching turbulence. The buckle signs turned on, and I secured my 3-year-old daughter, while maintaining a composed face. I checked in to see how she was feeling as the dining carts rattled against the cabin's hollow plastic walls. 'I like the bouncing!' she exclaimed, and we landed without a hitch. It was such a sunny day too, I remembered thinking as we deplaned. I scrolled and learned that turbulence accounts for a majority of weather-related accidents in the United States. Clear-air turbulence, like we experienced, can happen without warning on a cloudless day, injuring passengers and crew by violently throwing them. So I wondered: Should I add severe turbulence to the list of weather events my daughter will experience as the Earth warms? Short answer, yes. Studies show these events are happening more often now than 40 years ago. And a recent study by Mohamed Foudad, a researcher in turbulence modeling at the University of Reading, identified areas where a hotter atmosphere makes for even rougher skies in the following decades. Check how turbulence would change along your route Select departure Select arrival Turbulence at 2°C warming Likelihood of increased severe turbulence along flight routes. Low High Ascents and descents are not calculated. Why the Southwest will experience more turbulence While at the University of Toulouse, Foudad led a study where he combined 11 climate models to predict where more extreme and dangerous forms of clear-air turbulence would increase. He said, 'by using all these climate models … we have now a high confidence at each degree of warming that we have an increase in this turbulence.' The map above simulates the impact of a 2 degree Celsius (3.6 degree Fahrenheit) increase from preindustrial temperatures which, according to some estimates, could fall before 2055. These severe cases are more than a bump in the sky. These conditions result in sudden changes in altitude and loss of airspeed that are a risk for passengers, crew and the plane. A drop like this could throw a person from their seat or send a phone flying. It is the type of incident that is federally required to be recorded in the U.S. Incidents of severe turbulence are in addition to an increasing trend observed decades ago. Paul D. Williams, a professor of atmospheric science at the University of Reading, said 'today there's 55 percent more severe turbulence over the North Atlantic than there was in 1979 and 41 percent more over North America.' At this year's European Geosciences Union conference, Williams predicted that turbulence along the world's busiest routes over the Atlantic Ocean may increase by four times as much over the next few decades. A graphic explaining the clear-air turbulence and how it is created between warmer and colder air currents in the jet stream. Foudad's study found a majority of change in the U.S. appears in the southwest along the subtropical jet stream — a high altitude band of wind that wraps around the globe. Along the edges of this jetstream, two layers of air at different temperatures encounter one another. Extreme weather intensifies temperature differences of these layers, allowing wind speeds to change over short distances. The push and pull of these forces creates turbulence between them. Foudad's study found a majority of change in the U.S. appears in the southwest along the subtropical jet stream — a high altitude band of wind that wraps around the globe. Along the edges of this jetstream, two layers of air at different temperatures encounter one another. Extreme weather intensifies temperature differences of these layers, allowing wind speeds to change over short distances. The push and pull of these forces creates turbulence between them. Foudad's study found a majority of change in the U.S. appears in the southwest along the subtropical jet stream — a high altitude band of wind that wraps around the globe. Along the edges of this jetstream, two layers of air at different temperatures encounter one another. Extreme weather intensifies temperature differences of these layers, allowing wind speeds to change over short distances. The push and pull of these forces creates turbulence between them. Foudad's study found a majority of change in the U.S. appears in the southwest along the subtropical jet stream — a high altitude band of wind that wraps around the globe. Along the edges of this jetstream, two layers of air at different temperatures encounter one another. Extreme weather intensifies temperature differences of these layers, allowing wind speeds to change over short distances. The push and pull of these forces creates turbulence between them. Hotter air moves faster and typically, higher than cold air. As it moves more rapidly, colder air is pulled up to fill in those gaps, causing what's known as 'vertical wind shear.' Aircraft experience these tumbling eddies as turbulence. As climate change strengthens temperatures in the tropics, hotter air is meeting the cooler Northern air in greater contrast. Williams says, 'the temperature drop across the jet stream at cruising altitudes is being made stronger, and that is increasing the wind shear, which in turn is generating more turbulence.' Story continues below advertisement Advertisement Globally, Foudad's research found that northern Africa and central Asia, along the most populated parts of China, the Korean Peninsula, and Japan, will see large increases of severe turbulence in the atmosphere as a result. This doesn't mean the rest of the United States is off the hook. A 2023 analysis of historic changes in clear-air turbulence found that the largest global increases occurred over the continental U.S. and the North Atlantic Ocean. A 2019 paper determined that as temperatures have risen over the past four decades, vertical wind shear in the Northern Hemisphere has increased, as the temperature difference in the polar jet stream has widened. What's at stake Bullet We will face more uncomfortable and dangerous flights. Clear-air turbulence has increased since the 1970s. Researchers agree that the likelihood of severe turbulence will only increase in a warming world, putting passengers and crew at risk. Bullet Flights could take longer or risk more cancellations. Avoiding turbulent air and stronger headwinds means slower flights, delays, or cancellations from threatening conditions. Bullet Flights could cost more. Every report of severe turbulence requires a safety inspection. This means longer times grounded and more hours monitoring an airline's fleet. More exposure to heavy winds, means more hours of fatigue on aircraft. Beyond sparking an existential panic during your flight, the biggest problem turbulence poses is how it harms the plane you're taking. What may be 20-second increases for individual passengers add more than 120 hours of additional strain over the lifetime of the aircraft. Stress on these jets may shorten their expected lifespan by years. Map of the top three routes impacted by length of journey. Routes with the most change in turbulence Routes with the most change in turbulence Routes with the most change in turbulence Routes with the most change in turbulence Routes with the most change in turbulence ... those under 2.5 hours Route Turbulence Houston, TX (IAH) to Los Angeles, CA (LAX) 36 secs Burbank, CA (BUR) to Houston, TX (IAH) 36 secs Burbank, CA (BUR) to Houston, TX (HOU) 36 secs ... those between 2.5 and 4 hours Route Turbulence Jacksonville, FL (JAX) to Santa Ana, CA (SNA) 59 secs Jacksonville, FL (JAX) to San Diego, CA (SAN) 59 secs Charleston, SC (CHS) to San Diego, CA (SAN) 58 secs ... those more than 4 hours Route Turbulence Atlanta, GA (ATL) to Kahului, HI (OGG) 1:46 min Atlanta, GA (ATL) to Honolulu, HI (HNL) 1:45 min Honolulu, HI (HNL) to Kenner, LA (MSY) 1:35 min 'If there's twice as much turbulence, then there's twice as much fatigue, twice as much wear-and-tear,' Williams said, adding that airlines would have to perform maintenance twice as often because the planes have 'effectively flown twice as many hours in turbulence, even though they've flown the same number of hours in the atmosphere.' No one has yet estimated how much more it would cost to increase maintenance to keep airlines safe. Fatal incidents from turbulence are rare, but not unheard of. The 2023 Singapore Airlines experienced severe turbulence that killed one passenger, while injuring 71 others. What can airlines do about clear-air turbulence? Forecasters already make predictions where clear-air turbulence will impact flights, though it is difficult to track with satellite or radar. When Williams started his career in 1999, he said he spoke with pilots who ignored turbulence forecasts, finding them 'rubbish … always wrong.' But the predictions have improved, Williams said, from 60 percent accuracy to 80 percent today. The airline industry is also trying something else: tracking clear-air turbulence in real time. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) offers a platform called the Turbulence Aware, where participating airlines receive live data of incidents along their routes. Story continues below advertisement Advertisement Williams called displaying live turbulence data in the cockpit a 'game changer. It doesn't involve someone picking up a radio and talking to air traffic control, then air traffic control passing it on.' Still, it costs money to reroute a flight, he said, and it adds to the overall journey time, Williams says. Stuart Fox, IATA's director of flight and technical operations, says the data help pilots make informed decisions. 'Safety trumps everything … the information used by the pilots, either before departure or at the flight planning stage, can help the pilots and crew be aware of what to expect.' As turbulence is projected to increase globally by the mid-century, researchers caution that planes being manufactured now should be designed for a more turbulent atmosphere. Meanwhile, air traffic along the U.S. Southwest will only continue to grow, Foudad said. 'It's hard to say that airlines will not be impacted by this extreme weather shifting with global warming.' Given how much turbulence stands to change, it might be hard to avoid at all.
Telegraph
10-06-2025
- Health
- Telegraph
Why milk, cheese (and even a smidgen of butter) is good for your health
Queue for a coffee in your local café and you'll hear a dizzying array of orders – oat flat whites, almond macchiatos, soya lattes. Increasingly rarely will anyone order a drink made with dairy, which has fallen so far out of fashion that in some circles it's become a dirty word. Since the 1970s, our consumption of cow's milk has halved – from an average of 140 litres per person per year to 70. Today, just under 35 per cent of British households buy plant-based alternatives, according to data firm Kantar, with annual sales of oat milk alone topping £275 million – up from £155 million five years ago. But while vegan alternatives are generally considered better for the environment than cow's milk, is giving up dairy good for our health? The latest research suggests not. A new study from the University of Reading has found that including dairy in your diet may help control blood sugar levels more effectively than a plant-only diet – and could help prevent diabetes. Participants were either vegetarians who included dairy in their diets, or vegans. Blood tests showed the dairy group had higher levels of acetyl carnitine – a compound that helps cells use fat for energy and reduces oxidative stress, the damage that can occur when blood sugar is too high. And this is far from the only benefit. 'Eating dairy is one of the easiest ways to get enough calcium,' says Dr Emily Leeming, a microbiome scientist at King's College London, dietitian and author of Genius Gut. Calcium is vital for bone health, muscle, nerve and heart function – and it's also strongly linked to protection against bowel cancer. The largest study to date on diet and bowel cancer found that people who ate more dairy tended to have a lower risk of developing the disease. 'An extra 300mg of calcium – found in a typical glass of milk – is associated with a 17 per cent lower risk of bowel cancer,' says Dr Leeming. Alongside calcium, 'dairy contains a high level of protein and other important nutrients including vitamin B12, iodine, phosphorus, potassium and riboflavin,' says Laura Southern, founder of London Food Therapy. So what type of dairy should we be going for – and how much? Skip to: Milk Cheese Yogurt Butter Milk can lower your risk of heart disease Many adults today claim to be lactose intolerant – a condition in which the body doesn't produce enough of the enzyme lactase to break down the sugar in cow's milk. It's believed to affect around 15–20 per cent of the population. Cow's milk protein allergy is common in babies – affecting around seven per cent of those under one – but most outgrow it, and in adults it's very rare. For most people, then, choosing a plant-based alternative is a lifestyle decision – but one that could have unintended health consequences. Our declining intake of cow's milk has led to a drop in iodine consumption – a trace mineral that's crucial for thyroid function. A 200ml glass of milk provides around 70mcg of iodine, half the adult recommended daily intake of 140mcg. 'Iodine is quite difficult to find in our diets, but it goes into cattle feed – which means it's in milk,' says Southern. 'We need iodine for our thyroid hormones. Thyroid disorders can cause low energy levels, poor metabolism, fertility problems and issues with foetal development during pregnancy.' Contrary to what many believe, milk isn't likely to make you gain weight or raise your cholesterol. Research from the University of Reading found that milk drinkers had lower cholesterol levels – and a 14 per cent lower risk of coronary heart disease. And semi-skimmed or skimmed options may not be the healthier choice. A 2024 study in the US revealed that drinking whole milk was associated with lower weight, BMI and obesity prevalence. Some plant-based drinks are fortified with calcium, vitamin B12 and iodine – others are not. Organic versions, which are the least processed, cannot legally be fortified. And while some fortified drinks contain added calcium, not all forms are equally well absorbed. The calcium in cow's milk is naturally occurring – and more readily used by the body. 'Cow's milk is a really good package of nutrients in an unprocessed bundle,' says Southern. Eat cheese to ward off dementia Cheese has long been vilified for its high levels of saturated fat and salt – but recent research suggests it offers far greater health benefits than previously assumed. In 2023, a review of dozens of studies by scientists in China and at Harvard University found that eating cheese – around 40g per day – was linked to a lower risk of heart disease, stroke and dementia. A possible explanation for its cardiovascular benefits may lie in its fermentation process, says Southern. 'The beneficial microbes break down the lactose – or milk sugar – and the proteins in cheese. Those are the elements that can have an inflammatory effect in the body,' she explains. 'What's left are the health-promoting components.' Bacteria in many cheeses – including Parmesan and cheddar – break down milk proteins into compounds similar to those found in blood pressure drugs known as ACE (angiotensin-converting-enzyme) inhibitors, potentially helping to prevent hypertension. Fermentation also produces vitamin K, which has been shown to slow the build-up of calcium deposits in the arteries and valves of the heart. Camembert and Edam contain the highest levels. A 2023 study of older adults in Japan found that eating cheese was associated with better cognitive function and lower rates of dementia. The cheese-eating group also had slightly lower BMIs and blood pressure – and walked faster. Hard cheeses are particularly rich in calcium. Parmesan contains 19 per cent of the recommended daily amount in just one 30g serving. Official guidance recommends no more than 30g of cheese a day. 'We don't want to eat too much because of its fat content, but I advise clients to measure two fingers' worth of hard cheese, chop it up and sprinkle it into a salad,' says Southern. 'That way you're getting the benefits, plus flavour, protein and satiety.' Vegan alternatives are another matter. 'They're mostly salt and fat and are very highly processed,' says Southern. 'Most varieties aren't health-enhancing – and cheese is notoriously difficult to replicate.' The benefits of the good bacteria in 'live' yoghurt for the gut microbiome are well established – making a daily portion one of the healthiest dairy choices around. 'I often advise clients to start their day with a couple of tablespoons of fermented or Greek yoghurt with seeds,' says Southern. 'It's very satiating, provides a high level of protein and helps keep blood sugar steady throughout the morning.' Several major studies have highlighted further health advantages. The most recent – published in Gut Microbes – showed that long-term consumption of two or more servings of yoghurt per week was linked to lower rates of one type of bowel cancer. Another study, based on data from 5,000 people, found that eating 40g of yoghurt daily lowered the risk of liver cancer by 5.4 per cent. Research from the Medical Research Council's epidemiology unit at the University of Cambridge also found that people who regularly ate natural, unsweetened yoghurt had a 28 per cent lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes than those who never consumed it. Still not convinced? A comprehensive 2023 meta-analysis published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, which examined data from almost 900,000 participants, found that higher yogurt intake was significantly associated with a lower risk of death from all causes – and from cardiovascular disease. Dairy-free alternatives generally contain far less calcium, protein and potassium – although some now include added probiotics to support gut health. Butter – stick to small amounts Who doesn't love a slice of hot toast slathered in melting butter? Delicious as it is, butter is high in saturated fat – so 'moderation is key,' says Southern. One analysis, which included data from more than 600,000 people, found that moderate butter consumption wasn't linked to a higher risk of heart disease – and may even offer slight protection against type 2 diabetes. But compared to other forms of dairy, its benefits are limited. 'New research has shown that it's not just the nutrients themselves that affect health – it's how they're packaged within a food, something called the food matrix,' says Dr Leeming. She points to a study comparing the matched nutrients in cheese and butter, which found that cheese lowered levels of 'bad' LDL cholesterol – while butter did not. 'It suggests the food matrix plays a role in how our bodies respond,' she says. A major study published earlier this year, involving more than 200,000 people followed over 30 years, found that those who consumed more plant-based oils – particularly olive, rapeseed and soya – had a 17 per cent lower risk of death than those who regularly ate butter. 'We don't need to be frightened of butter,' says Southern. 'Although plant-based spreads are now largely free from unhealthy trans fats, I'd still choose butter for toast or baking. But for cooking, a good quality oil is much better for us.'
The Independent
04-06-2025
- Climate
- The Independent
Mount Etna eruption live: Volcanic blast which sent tourists fleeing was most powerful in four years
Tours are returning to the slopes of Mount Etna after its largest eruption in four years sent tourists fleeing from a vast column of gas and ash on Monday. After footage of the dramatic eruption circulated online - showing tourists sprinting down the volcano as black ash spewed several kilometres into the sky - Italian geological authorities were quick to quell fears that tourists and residents were under any danger. Etna has erupted more than a dozen times already this year, including in February, when thousands of tourists flocked towards the volcano to witness the spectacle. Monday's eruption began at around 3.50am local time (2.50am BST), following volcanic tremors which began around midnight local time. 'Such intense volcanic activity had not been recorded since February 2021,' said Stefano Branca director of the Etna Observatory in Italy's National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology. The agency said the volcano was experiencing strong strombolian explosions – a type of eruption – 'of growing intensity'. The main concern in the days following the eruption is air traffic disruption, said Dr Stuart Black, geological expert at the University of Reading. 'Commercial aircraft typically fly at similar altitudes as where the volcanic material is reaching, so persistent activity could force flight rerouting in the region,' he said. Volcanologist reveals exactly what happened at Mount Etna On Monday morning local time, a huge cloud of ash, hot gas and rock fragments began spewing from Italy's Mount Etna. An enormous plume was seen stretching several kilometres into the sky from the mountain on the island of Sicily, which is the largest active volcano in Europe. While the blast created an impressive sight, the eruption resulted in no reported injuries or damage and barely even disrupted flights on or off the island. Volcanology expertTeresa Ubide writes: Volcanologist reveals exactly what happened at Mount Etna Mount Etna eruptions are commonly described as 'Strombolian eruptions' – though that may not apply to this event Alex Croft4 June 2025 04:00 What is pyroclastic flow? When Mount Etna erupted, huge plume of pyroclastic flow ejected explosively form the Sicilian volcano. But what is pyroclastic flow? The extremely dangerous mass of volcanic rock, ash and hot gases surges from a volcanoes crater at a speed of hundreds of kilometres per hour. 'Pyroclastic flows (dense mixes of gas ash and volcanic particles) are very dangerous because of the high speed in which they move and the high temperature,' said Dr Carmen Solana, Volcanology professor at the University of Portsmouth. 'Of course inhaling the particles can be harming too, especially if hot.' National Geographic says the flow is 'extremely hot, burning anything in its path'. Alex Croft4 June 2025 03:00 How often has Mount Etna erupted this year? Mount Etna is considered the most active volcano in Europe, and the most active stratovolcano in the world (a stratovolcano is what most people consider a volcano, namely a conical formation, often with a central crater, formed by layer upon layer of lava from repeated eruptions). So it is no wonder that Mount Etna has erupted countless times in the thousands of years it has been documented. But how many times has it erupted this year? The short answer: A lot; and continually. The Global Volcanism Program records 'continued activity' at Mount Etna consistently from mid-February, when there was a major eruption. On 23 April and 13 May, there were notable additional eruptions, with lava fountains and ash plumes observed. Alex Croft4 June 2025 02:00 Video shows some tourists fleeing volcano, while others ran to take photos While dozens of tourists ran down Mount Etna as the volcano spewed ash and gas on Monday, others ran up a slope to take pictures of the spectacle. Video shows people both fleeing from and going towards the plume, although still from a distance. Volcanologist Professor Dougal Jerram told The Independent said volcano eruptions can be quite spectacular, which attracts visitors. 'It's always a battle to try and make sure people are safe. But also there's a certain element of needing people to be able to see and appreciate the natural phenomenon as well as understand the beauty, but also the risks with such an amazing mountain,' he said. 'While [authorities are] constantly monitoring what's happening, they need to be able to warn people when things are more dangerous. But obviously, once you get to relatively passive eruptions, there is a potential for people to sort of almost become volcano tourists.' Rachel Clun4 June 2025 01:00 Mount Etna's worst disaster Residents of Sicily are familiar with the eruptions of Mount Etna; today's eruption is the 14th in recent months. Rarely are people injured or killed. During a February eruption this year, officials were even forced to try to stop people from heading towards, not away, from the spewing Mount Etna, as tourists tried to snap the dazzling flows of bright orange lava. But previous eruptions have been devastating. Worst among them was in 1669. At least 20,000 citizens, mainly from the nearby city of Catania, are believed to have died after a massive, months-long eruption. Approximately 3,000 people living on the side of the volcano died of asphyxiation, while a further 17,000 below died after refusing to flee their homes, believing the city's defensive walls would protect them. Alex Croft4 June 2025 00:00 Stunning image of pyroclastic flow witnessed as 'lava fountain' erupts A pyroclastic flow – a powerful avalanche of hot rock, ash, and gas – was witnessed on Mount Etna surveillance cameras at around 11:30am local time on Monday, according to Italy's National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology. This was 'probably produced by a collapse of material from the northern flank of the South-East Crater', according to a statement from the institute. The hot pyroclastic material does not appear to have crossed the edge of the Valle del Leone, it said. However, the explosive activity from the Southeast Crater has become a lava fountain, the institute said. Alex Croft3 June 2025 23:01 What made Mount Etna's latest eruption so rare Mount Etna, the volcano that towers over eastern Sicily, has again captivated the world with a spectacular show, spewing smoke and high into the sky. But the defining event of Monday's eruption was the more rare pyroclastic flow from the southwestern crater not visible from a distance. The volcano is Europe's most active, and the continent's largest. Etna attracts hikers and backpackers to its slopes while less adventurous tourists can take it in from a distance, most stunningly from the Ionian Sea. What made Mount Etna's latest eruption so rare Mount Etna has again captivated the world with a spectacular show Alex Croft3 June 2025 22:01 Why is Mount Etna known as 'Lady of the Rings'? Mount Etna has been nicknamed the 'Lady of the Rings' due to the rings it produces made of condensed water vapour. But what are they? The rings were first spotted erupting from Etna in the 1970s, in one of the first recorded events of this type. The rings came again in 2000, 2013 and 2023. In 2024, Etna again puffed volcanic vortex rings from its crater. The rings are formed of gas which escapes from underground magma, tour company Etna Way explains. 'They only form under certain conditions: the gas must rise quickly upwards in a narrow, round and regular vent, as after an explosion of a gas bubble in the magma. 'The gas rises faster in the centre of the vent than at the edges, where it is slowed down by friction. 'As a result, the gas begins to rotate around itself. This is how these rings can form, which then rise further upwards or are blown away by the wind,' Etna Way explained. Alex Croft3 June 2025 21:00 What is the government's advice on visiting Sicily? The UK's Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has not released any new travel advice relating to Mount Etna's eruption as of Monday morning. The FCDO's general advice for volcanic eruptions states that you should follow any guidance and instructions shared with you by local authorities. 'If you are asked to evacuate, do so as soon as possible and take your key documents (for example, passport) and necessary supplies (for example, medication) with you,' the FCDO adds. 'If you are not told to evacuate but are in an affected area, you should shelter in place. Close any windows and turn off air conditioning or HVAC systems. Ensure that you have enough basic supplies (including food, necessary medication and bottled water) given power may be affected and water supplies may be contaminated. If you cannot get basic supplies to shelter in place, you may need to evacuate. 'If you go outside, cover your skin and wear a mask or other face covering, as volcanic ash could irritate your skin and airways.' Alex Croft3 June 2025 20:00 New video of tourists fleeing emerges Alex Croft
CNN
31-05-2025
- Health
- CNN
While you sleep, these bugs throw a party on your face
Sign up for CNN's Sleep, But Better newsletter series. Our seven-part guide has helpful hints to achieve better sleep. As you fall asleep each night, you can take comfort in knowing you are never truly alone — thanks to the dozens of eight-legged mites crawling out of your pores to party. You can't see or feel these nocturnal crawlers, called demodex mites, but like almost every adult, you have them all over your body. Smaller than a pinpoint, the tiny invertebrates, which measure about 0.15 millimeters to 0.4 millimeters in length, live around the outer parts of hair follicles and feed on their oily contents. 'While we are sleeping, they come out and are very happy, mating, visiting relatives, walking on our faces. The moment we wake up, they go back inside the pore,' said Alejandra Perotti, an associate professor of invertebrate biology at the University of Reading in England. If you're creeped out, Perotti said, 'don't be.' Demodex mites are more often friends than foes. In exchange for cleaning the gunk out of our pores, we offer these miniature vacuums our melatonin, a hormone produced in the skin that puts us to sleep but gives the mites vital energy, Perotti said. And like microscopic vampires, the mites have evolved to avoid ultraviolet rays from the sun, which easily destroys their DNA. The face typically has up to five mites per square centimeter — although without putting a sample of skin under a microscope, it's impossible to see them with the naked eye. If your immune system weakens, the mite populations can sometimes overproduce, leading to a host of skin and eye conditions. When they 'mite' cause problems Demodex mites can multiply overnight, causing an overgrowth called demodicosis, said Dr. Richard Locksley, professor of medicine at University of California, San Francisco. Immunodeficient individuals, such as older adults or people on chemotherapy, are more vulnerable to demodicosis and may have an inflammatory response to the mites and the bacteria that can colonize them, Locksley said. It's not totally known why some people experience inflammation from the mites, Locksley said. 'But what is known is that wild animals don't have any diseases from the mites, but domestic dogs and cats do. So perhaps when we moved into a different environment, and the way we evolved, a genetic mutation compromised our immune pathways.' The inflammation can manifest as rosacea, acne, dryness and flaking, especially on the cheeks, eyelids, forehead and creases where oil may accumulate, said Dr. Roberto Ricardo-Gonzalez, associate professor of dermatology at University of California, San Francisco, who worked closely with Locksley to research the mites. To determine whether demodex mites are the cause of skin irritations, dermatologists can tape or lightly scrape the top layer of skin and place the sample under a microscope, Ricardo-Gonzalez said. During a routine eye exam, the doctor may check for a waxy buildup of demodex eggs and waste around the base of the eyelashes. said Dr. Cory Lappin, an Ohio optometrist. For patients with eyelid infections, this buildup is a common cause of dryness, itchiness, eyelash loss and even recurrent sties. Preventing and treating overgrowth For most healthy adults, there is no need to panic about demodex mites. 'Most people are completely unaware they have the mites, and (it) should stay that way,' Locksley said. 'You could do more harm picking around looking for problems than just being agnostic about it. And if you have problems, you should go talk to a physician first.' Both Lappin and Ricardo-Gonzalez recommend maintaining a regular hygiene routine before bedtime, including a gentle cleanser to remove debris and excess oil from the face. Take off eye makeup and false lashes before sleep as well to keep the area clean and avoid irritating the delicate tissue around the eye, Lappin said. Those with acne-prone skin can use a topical retinoid one or two nights a week, Ricardo-Gonzalez said, noting that moderation is key to a bedtime skin care routine. 'I've seen it in patients when you have moisture-barrier disruption, meaning your skin is overly dry or overproducing oil from inflammation or excessive washing. The mites can overgrow in those instances,' Ricardo-Gonzalez said. Regular, adequate sleep is also important to prevent skin from overproducing sebum, the oily substance that's like food for the mites, studies have shown. To treat demodicosis, a dermatologist might prescribe topical or oral ivermectin to reduce the populations back to normal counts, Ricardo-Gonzalez said. It's not possible, though, to completely rid yourself of the mites permanently. The US Food and Drug Administration approved medicated eye drops in 2023 to treat demodex-related eyelid inflammation, Lappin said. Here today, gone tomorrow? Observed on humans for centuries, demodex mites are thought to be passed from contact with our mothers shortly after birth. Perotti and her research team discovered in 2022, however, that these symbiotic creatures may be experiencing what she calls 'a long-term evolutionary death.' 'When you have organisms that are exposed to this symbiotic life, it leads to genome erosion, or a loss of genes over time,' Perotti said. 'We predict that this will continue to the point that (the mites) will disappear.' With no predators, external threats or competitors, demodex mites have no selective pressures, Perotti explained. And since they are passed down between related humans, the populations lack genetic diversity — in other words, they are inbred. It's unknown how long the extinction will take, but to Perotti, this is nothing to celebrate — or mourn — considering humans will likely adapt to need demodex mites less as they die out. 'There has been very bad talk about the mites for a long time. They have been blamed for a lot of problems, but the suppressed immune system is the problem, not the mite itself,' Perotti said. 'We should think of them as our companions.'
