Abstract
Background: We are constantly affected by changes in space weather. The principal “players” are solar activity (SA), geomagnetic activity (GMA) and antagonistic to them, cosmic ray activity (CRA) and high energy proton flux. CRA is measured by neutron activity on the earth’s surface in imp/min. SA and GMA are linked and serve as a shield for the earth from CRA. For a long time SA and GMA were the main areas of studies. The aim of this study was to compare some effects of the mentioned forces and discuss the temporal distribution of both groups of space weather, in relation to their effects on humans.
Methods: The time distribution of GMA storms (daily) was compared with quiet (low) GMA, with higher CRA (neutron activity). Space weather data were obtained from the USA, Russia and Finland.
Results: A total of 4383 days were analyzed in the years 2000–2012. A total of 71 days (1.62%) of geomagnetic storms (GS) and 2753 days (63.8%) of quiet (I0) GMA were registered. A second study was provided including the years 1983–2007 (9131 days); here 3800 days (41.62%) were quiet GMA days and 400 storm days (4.38%). According to publications in the medical literature, many phenomena are connected with the extremes of space weather.
Conclusions: Despite a great number of publications and the significant role of GS, it is a relatively rare event and most medical emergencies and deaths occur on days of low GMA, accompanied by higher CRA (neutron activity). High neutron activity deserves more attention when analyzing space effects on human health and their mechanism of action.
References
1. Chizhevski AL. Terreastrial echos of solar storms, 2nd ed. Moscow: Mislj’ Press, 1976:419.Search in Google Scholar
2. Barnothy MF. Biological effects of magnetic fields. New York: Plenum Press, 1964.10.1007/978-1-4899-6578-3Search in Google Scholar
3. Rozhdestvenskaya E, Novikova K. Influence of solar activity on the blood fibrinolytic system. Klin Med (Moscow) 1969;47:65–9.Search in Google Scholar
4. Ganelina IE. Sudden deaths in acute myocardial infarction and problems of reanimation. Klin Med (Moscow) 1969;11:111–9.Search in Google Scholar
5. Oranevski VN, Breus TK, Baevski RM, Rapoport SI, Petrov VM, Barsukova ZhV, et al. Effect of geomagnetic activity on the functional status of the body. Biofizika 1998;43:819–26.Search in Google Scholar
6. Gurfinkel YI, Liubimov VV, Orajevskij VN, Parfenova IM, Yurjev AS. The influence of geomagnetic disturbances on capillary flow in ischemic heart disease patients. Biofizika 1995;4:793–9.Search in Google Scholar
7. Stoupel E. Forecasting in cardiology. New York, Toronto, Jerusalem: John Wiley & Sons, Israel University Press, 1976:141.Search in Google Scholar
8. Stoupel E. Solar-terrestrial prediction: aspects for preventive medicine. In: Donnelly RF, editor. Solar-terrestrial predictions proceedings, vol. 4. Boulder, CO: US NOAA, Space Environment Laboratory, 1980:G29–G40.Search in Google Scholar
9. Dimitrova S, Stoilova I, Cholakov I. Influence of local geomagnetic storms on arterial blood pressure. Bioelectromagnetics 2004;25:408–14.10.1002/bem.20009Search in Google Scholar PubMed
10. Gurfinkel JI. Ischemic heart disease and solar activity. Moscow: Elf-3, 2004:170pp.Search in Google Scholar
11. Stoupel E, Abramson E, Domarkiene S, Shimshoni M, Sulkes J. Space proton flux and the temporal distribution of cardiovascular deaths. Int J Biometeorol 1997;40:113–6.10.1007/s004840050029Search in Google Scholar PubMed
12. Vencloviene J, Babarskiene R, Kaminskaite B, Vasiliauskas D. The effect of solar-geomagnetic activity during hospital admissions on the prognosis of cardiovascular outcomes in patients with myocardial infarction. Br J Med Med Res 2013;3:1587–97.10.9734/BJMMR/2013/4101Search in Google Scholar
13. Rapoport SI, Shatalova AM. Magnetic storm is a course of disadaptation in patients with hypertonic disease. In: Space weather: effects on human health and biological systems. Proceedings of International Workshop, Moscow, February 17–18, 2005:114. Russian Academy of Sciences, Joint Stock Company “Russian Railways”.Search in Google Scholar
14. Atkov OJ, Rogoza AI, Riabinkina G, Breus TK, Rapoport SI. Geomagnetic activity effects by cardiac patients. In: Space weather: effects on human health and biological systems. Proceedings of International Scientific Workshop, Moscow, February 17–18, 2005:14–5. Russian Academy of Sciences, Joint Stock Company “Russian Railways”.Search in Google Scholar
15. Kuritzky A, Zoldan Y, Hering R, Stoupel E. Geomagnetic activity and severity of the migraine attack. Headache 1987;27:87–9.10.1111/j.1526-4610.1987.hed2702087.xSearch in Google Scholar PubMed
16. Bartsch H, Bartsch C, Mecke D, Lippert TH. Seasonality of pineal melatonin production in the rat: possible synchronization by the geomagnetic field. Chronobiol Int 1994;11:21–6.10.3109/07420529409057227Search in Google Scholar PubMed
17. Stoupel E. Space weather and timing of cardiovascular events: clinical cosmobiology. Saarbruken, Germany: Lambert Academic Publishing, 2012:72pp.Search in Google Scholar
18. Dorman LI. Cosmic rays as a factor and as a tool for forecasting of space weather effects on the biosphere. In: Grigoriev AI, Zeeleny LM, editors. Space weather effects on humans in space and on earth: proceedings of the International Conference, Moscow, June 4–8, 2012:92–109. Moscow: Space Research Institute Russian Academy of Sciences, 2013.Search in Google Scholar
19. Miroshnichenko LI. Cosmic rays and evolution of biosphere: search for new approaches. In: Grigorjev AI, Zeleny LM, editors. Space weather effects on humans in space and on earth. Proceedings of International Conference, Moscow, June 4–8, 2012:110–36. Moscow: Space Research Institute Russian Academy of Sciences, 2013.Search in Google Scholar
20. Stoupel E, Kalediene R, Petrauskiene J, Domarkiene S, Radishauskas R, Abramson E, et al. Three kinds of cosmophysical activity – links to temporal distribution of deaths and occurrence of acute myocardial infarction. Med Sci Monit 2004;10: CR-80–4.Search in Google Scholar
21. Stoupel E, Israelevich P, Petrauskiene J, Kalediene R, Abramson E, Sulkes J. Cosmic ray activity and monthly number of deaths: a correlative study. J Basic Clin Physiol Pharmacol 2002;13:23–32.10.1515/JBCPP.2002.13.1.23Search in Google Scholar PubMed
22. Stoupel E, Israelevich P, Kusniec J, Mazur A, Zabarski R, Golovchiner G, et al. Are neutrons involved in the pathogenesis of life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias? J Basic Clin Physiol Pharmacol 2006;17:55–62.10.1515/JBCPP.2006.17.1.55Search in Google Scholar
23. Stoupel E, Domarkiene S, Radishauskas R, Abramson E, Israelevich P, Sulkes J. Neutrons and sudden cardiac death (SCD)-codes 121-125 ICD 10. J Basic Clin Physiol Pharmacol 2006;17:45–53.10.1515/JBCPP.2006.17.1.45Search in Google Scholar PubMed
24. Stoupel E, Tamoshiunas A, Radishauskas R, Bernotiene G, Abramson E, Israelevich P. Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) (n-11026) on days of zero geomagnetic activity (GMA) and the following week: differences at months of maximal and minimal solar activity (SA) in solar cycles 23 and 24. J Basic Clin Physiol Pharmacol 2012;23:5–9.10.1515/jbcpp-2012-0001Search in Google Scholar PubMed
25. Stoupel E, Babayev ES, Abramson E, Sulkes J. Calm geomagnetic conditions, increased cosmic ray activity and dynamics of some medical events at the descending phase of solar activity cycle. Heliophysical phenomena and Earth environment: IHY-ISWI Regional Meeting, September 7–13, 2009. Shibelnik, Croatia: Abstract Book.Search in Google Scholar
26. Stoupel E. The equilibrium paradigm in clinical cosmobiology. J Basic Clin Physiol Pharmacol 2002;13:255–61.10.1515/JBCPP.2002.13.3.255Search in Google Scholar PubMed
27. Stoupel E. Atherothrombosis: environmental links. J Basic Clin Physiol Pharmacol 2008;19:37–47.10.1515/JBCPP.2008.19.1.37Search in Google Scholar
28. Stoupel E, Tamoshiunas A, Radishauskas R, Bernotiene G, Abramson E, Israelevich P. Neutrons and the plaque: AMI (n-8920) at days of zero GMA/high neutron activity (n-36) and the following days and week. Kaunas, Lthuania, 2000–2007. J Clin Experiment Cardiol 2011;2:121–5.Search in Google Scholar
29. Preliminary Report and Forecast of Solar Geophysical Data – The Weekly. NOAA-SESC (now SWPC), USAF. Available at: http:/www.sec.noaa.Gov/weekly.html.Search in Google Scholar
30. Solar Indices Bulletin (monthly). NOAA, National Geophysical Data Center, USA.Search in Google Scholar
31. Geomagnetic Indices Bulletin (monthly). NOAA, National Geophysical Center, USA.Search in Google Scholar
32. Cosmic Data, monthly review, IZMIRAN, Russian Academy of Sciences.Search in Google Scholar
33. Neutron Monitoring Data (daily, monthly, yearly). Moscow Neutron Monitoring Station, Russian Academy of Sciences.Search in Google Scholar
34. Neutron Monitoring Data (daily, monthly, yearly). Oulu University, Finland.Search in Google Scholar
35. National Space Science Data Center Bulletin. Greenbelt, MD: Goddard National Space Flight Center (Internet Data, monthly).Search in Google Scholar
36. Heckman G, editor. Glossary of solar-terrestrial terms. Boulder,CO: NOAA, Space Environment Services Center, 1988, revised 1992:68.Search in Google Scholar
37. Stoupel E, Babayev E, Mustafa F, Abramson E, Israelevich P, Sulkes J. Acute myocardial infarction occurrence: environmental links – Baku 2003–2005 data. Med Sci Monit 2007;13:BR175–9.Search in Google Scholar
38. Stoupel E, Domarkiene S, Radishauskas R, Bernotiene G, Abramson E, Israelevich P, et al. Links between monthly rates of four types of acute myocardial infarction and their corresponding cosmophysical activity parameters. J Basic Clin Physiol Pharmacol 2004;15:175–84.10.1515/JBCPP.2004.15.3-4.175Search in Google Scholar
39. Stoupel E, Assali A, Teplitzky I, Israelevich P, Abramson E, Sulkes J, et al. The culprit artery in acute myocardial infarction in different environmental physical activity levels. Int J Cardiol 2008;126:288–90.10.1016/j.ijcard.2007.05.050Search in Google Scholar PubMed
40. Stoupel E, Abramson E, Israelevich P. Left anterior descending/right coronary arteries as culprit arteries in acute myocardial infarction (n-2011) in changing physical environment, percutaneous coronary intervention data (2000–2010). J Basic Clin Physiol Pharmacol 2011;22:91–6.10.1515/JBCPP.2011.024Search in Google Scholar PubMed
41. Stoupel E, Kusniec J, Mazur A, Abramson E, Israelevich P, Strasberg B. Timing of life-threatening arrhythmias detected by implantable cardioverter-defibrillators in relation to changes in cosmophysical factors. Cardiol J 2008;15:437–40.Search in Google Scholar
42. Stoupel E, Domarkiene S, Radishauskas R, Abramson E, Sulkes J. Sudden cardiac death and geomagnetic activity: links to age, gender and agony time. J Basic Clin Physiol Pharmacol 2002;13:23–33.10.1515/JBCPP.2002.13.1.11Search in Google Scholar PubMed
43. Stoupel E, Kusniec J, Golovchiner G, Abramson E, Strasberg B. Association of time of occurrence of electrical heart storms with environmental physical activity. Pacing Clin Electrophysiol 2014;37:1067–70.10.1111/pace.12383Search in Google Scholar
44. Stoupel E, Domarkiene S, Radishauskas R, Abramson E. Bastille day event and sudden cardiac death. Semin Cardiol 2002;8:18–21.Search in Google Scholar
45. Stoupel E, Kalediene R, Petrauskiene J, Starkuviene S, Abramson E, Israelevich P, et al. Twenty years study of solar, geomagnetic, cosmic ray activity links with monthly deaths number (n-850304). J Biomed Sci Eng 2011;4:1–9.10.4236/jbise.2011.46054Search in Google Scholar
46. Stoupel E, Joshua H, Lahav J. Human blood coagulation parameters and geomagnetic activity. Eur J Int Med 1996;7:217–20.Search in Google Scholar
47. Stoupel E, Abramson E, Israelevich P, Sulkes J, Harell D. Dynamics of serum C-reactive protein (CRP) and cosmophysical activity. Eur J Int Med 2007;18:124–8.10.1016/j.ejim.2006.09.010Search in Google Scholar
48. Stoupel E. Effect of geomagnetic activity on cardiovascular parameters. Biomed Pharmacother 2002;56:246s–56s.10.1016/S0753-3322(02)00299-8Search in Google Scholar
49. Stoupel E, Zabludovsky M, Wittenberg C, Boner G. Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring in patients with hypertension on days of high and low geomagnetic activity. Int J Hypertens 1998;39:293–4.Search in Google Scholar
50. Stoupel E, Domarkiene S, Radishauskas R, Abramson E, Sulkes J. Deaths from ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke on days of different levels of geomagnetic activity (GMA). Semin Cardiol 2003;9:46–51.Search in Google Scholar
51. Stoupel E, Tamoshiunas A, Radishauskas R, Bernotiene G, Abramson E, Sulkes J, et al. Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and intermediate coronary syndrome (ICS). Health 2010;2:129–32.10.4236/health.2010.22020Search in Google Scholar
52. Stoupel E. Gene functional dynamics: environment as a trigger? J Basic Clin Physiol Pharmacol 2014;25:138–42.10.1515/jbcpp-2013-0112Search in Google Scholar PubMed
53. Nias AH. An introduction to radiotherapy. New York: John Wiley & Sons 1998, reprinted 2000.Search in Google Scholar
54. Hall EJ, GIaccia AJ. Radiotherapy for radiologists. Philadelphia, Baltimore, New York, London, Buenos Aires, Hong Kong, Tokyo: Lippincott and Wilkins & Williams, 2006.Search in Google Scholar
©2014 by De Gruyter
