Brighton Lab Simulates 35C Heat, Showing Strain After 10 Minutes

2 articles · Updated · New Scientist · Jul 8

Ten minutes in a 35°C, 50% humidity heat chamber left a journalist light-headed, with heart rate rising from 72 to 95 beats a minute.
Skin temperature climbed from 33°C to above 36°C as humidity slowed sweat evaporation, forcing the body to divert blood to the skin and making even a moderate treadmill walk taxing.
Neil Maxwell, director of the University of Brighton lab, said the test showed many people are not heat-adapted even as the UK faces another heatwave forecast to reach 34°C.
Simple cooling steps such as cool showers, ice lollies and immersing hands in cold water can lower body temperature quickly, but Maxwell said surveys show only a small share of Britons take protective measures.
With Europe hit by record heatwaves in May and late June, the lab argues regular aerobic exercise and controlled heat exposure such as sauna sessions can improve long-term heat tolerance.

Sources

New Scientist4d ago

Journalist Simulates Extreme Heat at Brighton Lab, Body's Response Revealed

National Institutes of Health (NIH) (.gov)4d ago

Cardiovascular responses to hot skin at rest and during exercise - PMC

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Extreme Heat in 2026: Human Health Risks, Adaptation Strategies, and the Race for Zero Heat-Related Deaths

Overview

Extreme heat is becoming a global crisis, with 2026 seeing more frequent and intense heatwaves due to ongoing climate change. Europe, for example, has faced record-breaking temperatures, such as 45.9°C in southern France, leading to devastating fires. Even small increases in average temperatures are causing unprecedented extreme events and worsening regional heatwaves. These conditions highlight the urgent need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to protect public health and prevent further disasters. The report emphasizes that immediate action and continued research are essential to understand risks and develop effective strategies for adapting to a hotter world.

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