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Scientists Ponder Newcastle's Lack of Winter Clothing
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by Jordan Yerman | February 17, 2009 at 03:15 pm
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This sounds like another one of those seemingly-pointless studies, but I've actually wondered about this: why, though they live at a Scandinavian latitude, don't Newcastle's residents wear winter clothing, like, ever? When going out for the evening, it's all miniskirts and t-shirts: are Geordies immune to the cold?
Are they all vampires?
Are they robots in disguise?
Indeed, this is the job for science.
Accordingly, as part of Newcastle's ten-day ScienceFest which runs from 6 to 15 March, researchers will hit the streets in search of a concrete answer. Linda Conlon, chief exec of the Centre for Life and chair of the Newcastle ScienceFest steering group, said: "We decided to investigate the reputation Geordies have for not wearing a coat in even the worst weather. Is there a possible genetic reason for our bravery or is it simply because we like to show off our finery on a night out?"
At a higher latitude than Vilnius and Minsk, Newcastle could never be described as "tropical", so what's up with this phenomenon?
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Most RecentMost Recommended Comments (3)
at 16:05 on February 17th, 2009
I am from Texas so naturally I was freezing, although this picture was taken in July! However, I was told numerous times that the particular summer I happened to visit (2007) was unseasonably cold.
jlynne has contributed a photo to this story.
at 22:44 on February 17th, 2009
visbeek has contributed a photo to this story.
at 02:48 on February 19th, 2009
This was taken in summer on a warm sunny day. In colder weather, I do wear clothes. I'm not as hardy as the 'Naked Rambler'! I would comment, however, that being warm-blooded creatures humans generate their own body heat and have the means to maintain it. Prior activity before going out into the cold air makes a difference. Most people on a night out will be excited by activity and won't really be out in the cold for very long.
nudjas has contributed a photo to this story.