Title: ICARUS - Psycho-physiological Profiling of Low and High Heat-resilient Individuals

Summary

The escalating environmental heat-stress associated with global warming is a societal challenge with large and potential harmful consequences for humans. Excess morbidity and mortality during heat waves provides strong evidence for fatal outcomes. However, it is unclear why some people are particularly vulnerable and get sick from hyperthermia, while others adapt and tolerate exposure. The Icarus project aims to provide a psycho-physiological framework for improved mitigation of the health threats associated with global warming. Combining expertise in integrative thermal physiology, pharmacology, photobiology, psychology and machine learning, we will collaborate on comprehensive cross-scientific studies using controlled lab-exposure combined with investigations in ecological settings including vulnerable and highly tolerant people across populations from northern to southern Europe. Advanced algorithms will be developed to generate personalized alerts and advising based on behavioral patterns, psychological profiling, predicted vulnerability and willingness to adopt resilience-building strategies. Global warming is projected to continue towards the end of the 21st century and constitutes an increasing threat to human health unless we as individuals and collectively become better in preventing acute effects, as well as devise sustainable strategies to limit further anthropogenic warming of the climate system. Acutely, improved guidance is important for both individual and public health, where Icarus aims at providing a highly improved basis for preventing heat-related disease, advising or nudging people towards pro-health behavior, including smarter use of technologies to mitigate heat stress, or adjusting medication to reduce adverse effects during heat events. In support of the sustainability agenda, our framework also forms a novel basis for developing advising algorithms relevant for optimization of climate change mitigation policy-making.

Eligibility

Study Population

Healthy adult volunteers residing in Denmark (Northern Europe) or Greece (Southern Europe).

Inclusion Criteria

* Age 18-65 years (or your protocol-specific age range)
* Healthy as determined by medical history screening questionnaire
* Able to provide written informed consent
* Able to complete heat exposure and light exercise protocol
* No heat acclimatization or extensive sun exposure in the previous 4 weeks
* Fitzpatrick skin type I-IV (if applicable for UV testing)
* Willing to undergo blood sampling, urine collection, and skin biopsy

Exclusion Criteria

* History of cardiovascular, metabolic, neurological, or dermatological disease
* History of heat-related illness (e.g., heat stroke)
* Use of medications affecting thermoregulation or cardiovascular function
* Smoking or substance abuse
* Pregnancy or breastfeeding
* Abnormal ECG or uncontrolled hypertension
* Recent severe sunburn or UV treatment
* Contraindications to skin biopsy
* Inability to tolerate heat exposure during screening

Conditions7

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