Archive for Earth Sciences Forum This site is dedicated to the Earth Sciences. We are here for you to discuss issues regarding any aspect of the Earth sciences, at all levels of knowledge. Questions are welcomed, as are open scientific debates. Enjoy!!!
|
scpg02
|
Link between sunspots, rain helps predict disease in east AfThere has been a lot of information come out about El Nino affecting Aftican climate. This just adds to that.
Link between sunspots, rain helps predict disease in east Africa
Contact: Cheryl Dybas
cdybas@nsf.gov
703-292-7734
National Science Foundation
| Quote: | The research, conducted by paleoclimatologist Curt Stager of Paul Smith's College in Paul Smiths, N.Y. and colleagues, can be used by public health officials to increase measures against insect-borne diseases long before epidemics begin. The results are published online in the August 7 issue of the Journal of Geophysical Research.
The scientists showed that unusually heavy rainfalls in East Africa over the past century preceded peak sunspot activity by about one year.
~snip~
The researchers, who represent five institutions from the United States and Great Britain, offered several reasons why sunspot peaks may affect rainfall. The increased solar energy associated with sunspots, they suggest, heats both land and sea, forcing moist air to rise and triggering precipitation. It may also induce El Niņo events, which increase rainfall in East Africa. |
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2007-08/nsf-lbs080707.php
|
|
|
|