The ground observation data was used to analyze the variation of cloud amount and light precipitation over South China during 1960-2009. The total cloud cover (TCC) decreases in this period, whereas the low cloud cover (LCC) shows the obvious opposite change with increasing trends. LCP defined as low cloud cover/total cloud cover has increased, and small rainy days (< 10 mm day-1) decreased sig...

Hardly a week goes by when the attention of the scientific press and the general public is not focused on a new report about the health effects of sunshine. Most studies of the effects of strong or prolonged ultraviolet radiation (UVR) exposure on the skin have emphasized the importance of sun avoidance and protection against sun exposure to reduce skin cancer risk. In recent years, though, the...

INTRODUCTION Many studies have shown that people born in the spring are at a higher risk of developing multiple sclerosis (MS). This may be associated with lower levels of sun exposure, and consequently, lower levels of vitamin D3 during pregnancy. However, these relationships have not been verified thus far in any countries in Central Europe. OBJECTIVE The aim of our study was to determine t...

Tuberculous meningitis (TBM) is a severe complication of tuberculosis and occurs mainly during early childhood. The incidence rate of TBM varies with season, and serum vitamin D levels, which are dependent on sunlight, might play a role. We studied the association between TBM incidence rate and hours of sunshine in Cape Town, South Africa and found a significant association between the incidenc...

The aim of this study is to determine the effect of environmental conditions with emphasis on the main meteorological factors (air temperature variables, sunshine hour, and humidity), on phytoplankton communities. As important primary producers in aquatic ecosystems, phytoplankton communities could be affected by several factors. Environmental factors play the major role in occurrence and diver...

We must create a world in which the best experts are those that are free from commercial influence. And Europe needs legislation along the lines of the US Sunshine Act to combat both real and perceived commercial influence in science and health care. Sunshine Act, which became federal law in the United States in January 2012. 2 The Act requires drug and medical manufacturers who participate in ...