Cue the Sun: This Lab Recreates Hot, Sweaty Days to Test Humans

The article discusses a laboratory at the University of Delaware that recreates hot and sweaty conditions to study human responses to extreme heat. The lab, called the Environmental Physiology Lab, uses treadmills, environmental chambers, and other equipment to simulate real-world heat scenarios, such as heatwaves or hot, humid days. Researchers in the lab monitor participants' vital signs, sweat rate, and other physiological responses as they exercise in these simulated conditions. The goal is to better understand how the human body reacts to and copes with extreme heat, which is crucial for developing strategies to keep people safe during heatwaves and other high-temperature events. The article highlights the importance of this research, as climate change is leading to more frequent and intense heatwaves, which can have serious health consequences. By studying human responses in a controlled environment, scientists can help inform public health policies and interventions to protect vulnerable populations.