The Perihelion Effect

Chronobiology

Chronobiology is a field of science that examines periodic (cyclic) phenomena in living organisms and their adaptation to solar and lunar related rhythms.

These cycles are known as biological rhythms. “Chrono” pertains to time and “biology” pertains to the study, or science, of life. The related terms chronomics and chronome have been used in some cases to describe either the molecular mechanisms involved in chronobiological phenomena or the more quantitative aspects of chronobiology, particularly where comparison of cycles between organisms is required.

Chronobiological studies include but are not limited to comparative anatomy, physiology, genetics, molecular biology and behavior of organisms within biological rhythms mechanics. Other aspects include development, reproduction, ecology and evolution.

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Revisiting the “Christmas Holiday Effect” in the Southern Hemisphere

Seasonality / ,

Journal of the American Heart Association Abstract Background A “Christmas holiday effect” showing elevated cardiovascular mortality over the Christmas holidays (December 25 to January 7) was demonstrated previously in study from the United States. To separate the effect of seasonality from any holiday effect, a matching analysis was conducted for New Zealand, where the Christmas …

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Occurrence of suicide and seasonal variation

Science | Pseudo-Science | Conjecture, Depression and Suicide, Seasonality

Occurrence of suicide and seasonal variation. Retamal P, Humphreys D. Departamento de Psiquiatria y Salud Mental, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile. nhorwitz@bello.dic.uchile.cl OBJECTIVE: To review the estimated suicide rates for the Region Metropolitan, the main socio-political center in Chile, for the period 1979-1994, and to determine whether they follow a seasonal pattern. …

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What do Kepler’s Elliptical orbits have to do with the Holidays?

Perihelion, Seasonality

Consider this; As the winter holidays approach, the earth is approaching the sun.  It is gaining velocity at an increasing rate.  This acceleration increases until the earth reaches perihelion.  Then it begins to move away and decrease acceleration until around July 4th. So here it is, just at the time that we start to mark …

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The origin of Halloween

Seasonality, Holidays

Halloween’s origins date back to the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain (pronounced sow-in). The Celts, who lived 2,000 years ago in the area that is now Ireland, the United Kingdom and northern France, celebrated their new year on November 1. This day marked the end of summer and the harvest and the beginning of the …

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observing the body’s cycle

Chronobiology, Seasonality, Integrative Thought /

I think that the ancients realized this relationship through yoga and self study. By observing the body’s cycle superimposed over the calendar’s these sages and shamen made predictions based on their understanding of the celestial dynamics.  As records and observations improved, the calendar has changed significantly and holidays moved to suit these observations.  The heliocentric understanding of universe seemed …

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Seasonal effects on suicide rates

Depression and Suicide

Seasonal effects on suicide rates Research on seasonal effects on suicide rates suggests that the prevalence of suicide is greatest during the late spring and early summermonths,[1] despite the common belief that suicide rates peak during the cold and dark months of the winter season.[2] General effects The Center for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Center for Health Statistics report that suicide rates in the United States are lowest …

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Seasonal changes in 24-h patterns of suicide rates: a study on train suicides in The Netherlands

Depression and Suicide, Seasonality

Seasonal changes in 24-h patterns of suicide rates: a study on train suicides in The Netherlands. van Houwelingen CA, Beersma DG. Department of Psychiatry, Groningen University Hospital, Groningen, The Netherlands. cajvhou@knmg.nl BACKGROUND: Annual patterns in suicide rates, peaking near the summer solstice, are well documented. It has been suggested that day length or total hours …

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Births and Deaths by Month, 1995-2002

Chronobiology /

“Winter takes the old, summer brings the new.”—Traditional proverb, backed by data Seasonal Patterns in U.S. Births and Deaths (1995–2002) Federal health data show clear seasonal rhythms in when Americans are born and when they die. Over this 8-year period, the numbers reveal biological and environmental patterns with potential implications for public health and chronobiology. …

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Kepler’s Law Question

Seasonality /

Kepler’s Law Question: According to Kepler’s law the Earth is closer to the sun in the summer winter than in the summer. If this is true would not it be warmer in the winter than in the summer? ———————————————— Answer: The reason for summer and winter is not because of the distance from the earth …

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