Call for an instant quote 0345 90 80 161
Open Mon to Fri 09:00 - 17:30 | Sat 09:00 - 16:00 (GMT)
15 May 2015 11:49
Many people feel better during the summer
Most people get a spring in their step and feel a little brighter when the sun shines and the wintry weather gives way to summer. But now research suggests people really may be healthier in the summertime.
Scientists say the findings may explain why conditions such as heart disease, arthritis and diabetes are less likely to be suffered over the summer. People with such conditions can secure peace of mind when taking a holiday by arranging pre-existing travel insurance.
Immune to seasonal change
The team from the University of Cambridge believe this could be down to people's immune systems changing with the seasons. The scientists analysed genes from people living in the UK, US, Australia, Iceland and Gambia.
And they found the level of activity in nearly one in four of the 23,000 tested genes changed depending on the time of year. Some of the genes were more active in the summer months while others were more active during the winter, researchers say.
ARNTL is a gene which, in mice, has been linked with suppressing infections. Researchers say their analysis showed it was more active in the summer months. That, they say, suggests it could play a similar role in people.
Environmental triggers
The scientists say while it is not yet known precisely what causes the seasonal differences they believe these could be triggered by daylight, temperature and other environmental factors.
The Wellcome Trust's head of infection and immunobiology, Professor Mike Turner, has praised the University of Cambridge study, adding that the findings back the widely-held belief that people, in general, tend to be in better health over the summer.
13 December 2018
Space tourism could move one giant leap closer this week as Virgin Galactic expects to reach "space altitudes" for the first time.
[more...]
12 December 2018
If you're worried about piling on the pounds this Christmas, regular home weighing could prevent you from excessive festive eating and drinking.
11 December 2018
Airlines that automatically cancel return flights when passengers fail to show for their outbound journeys are being warned they risk breaking consumer law.
08 December 2018
Providing better conditions for disabled passengers is one of the main aims of a proposed new charter for airlines and airports.
07 December 2018
Women who don't attend cervical screenings should be offered testing kits they can use at home, new research suggests.
06 December 2018
Ryanair could be slapped with enforcement action from the airline regulator after it refused compensation for passengers hit by flight disruption caused by staff taking strike action.
05 December 2018
Protein supplements and muscle training could be the most effective ways to delay or reverse the effects of frailty, a new study suggests.
04 December 2018
Mumford and Sons bassist Ted Dwane has helped create a new exhibition to raise awareness of the loneliness felt by people living with multiple sclerosis (MS).
01 December 2018
A leading charity has praised the actions of Lloyd Russell-Moyle, saying the Labour MP had "done everybody a service" by disclosing his HIV status.
30 November 2018
Sweating out the daily stresses in a sauna could be linked to a reduced risk of death from cardiovascular diseases (CVD) in people aged 50 and over, according to a new study.
29 November 2018
Hitting the Copacabana could soon become a more realistic aim for holidaymakers, with Norwegian set to become the first budget airline to operate UK-Brazil flights.
28 November 2018
Holidaymakers on the UK's proposed new high-speed trainline could have their Amazon packages delivered directly to their seat, according to a train manufacturer.