Biometeorology

Biometeorology

Biometeorology is a global research theme that studies the relationship between weather and climate and all living organisms, including humans. Global warming and the rise in temperatures caused by the urban heat island phenomenon have been the focus of much attention in recent years because of the various health hazards they pose to the human body. The Kusaka Laboratory has been working on various research themes using meteorological models, statistical analyses, and experiments on human subjects. Below is a partial list of our research results to date:

Okada and Kusaka (2013): Development of a new equation to estimate globe temperature

In Japan, the Wet Bulb Black Globe Temperature (WBGT) is widely used as an indicator of heat stroke risk. In addition to air temperature and humidity, globe temperature, which is influenced by radiation and air currents, is required to calculate WBGT. Okada and Kusaka (2013) developed an estimation equation based on the black-bulb heat balance to estimate globe temperature using only elements available from AMeDAS.

Ikeda and Kusaka (2021): Development of models for predicting the number of patients with heatstroke

Ikeda and Kusaka (2021) developed models for predicting the number of ambulance transport due to heatstroke on the next day in Tokyo, using different combinations of 11 explanatory variables sets and five methods (i.e., three from statistical models and two from machine learning).

Asano et al. (2022): Investigation of reduction in cognitive performance due to heat stress

This study revealed the effect of outdoor walking on cognitive performance. A combination of heat stress (UTCI ≥ 44°C) and walking decreased the performance. There was a significant relationship between sleep duration and performance.

In addition, the Kusaka Laboratory have also assessed the effects of global warming in the future, including an increase in sleepless nights (Kusaka et al., 2013) and a decrease in the number of days ski resorts are open (Suzuki-Parker et al., 2018).

(Written by: Yusuke Nakamura; Edited by: Angela Magnaye)