-
Asked by The barb to Jonathan, Kellie, Kevin, Melissa, Stephanie on 28 Apr 2016.
-
Jonathan Jackson answered on 28 Apr 2016:
While I think drought conditions affect all of us more than we realize, it does not directly affect my work as a neuroscientist. The coming La Nina phenomenon may make it very dry in Boston, where I live.
There was a very long drought in Texas when I lived there, which affected my life a lot. It was difficult to keep our animals watered and fed, and cool in the summer.
How has the drought affected you?
-
-
Stephanie Moon answered on 28 Apr 2016:
Drought is definitely an important issue where I live in Colorado! It’s not really related to what I work on… but part of what I study in the lab is how cells in animals can survive stress conditions, and not having enough water (or being exposed to too much salt or heat) would be considered a stress. Also the amount of water in the environment can affect mosquitoes! Mosquitoes lay their eggs in water, so the weather can be a really important factor in causing an outbreak of some mosquito-borne viral diseases.
-
Kevin Baker answered on 28 Apr 2016:
It is an important issue to the field of science, but it does not impact my research directly.
-
Melissa Wilson Sayres answered on 30 Apr 2016:
Drought is directly related to my work with Gila monsters and Desert tortoises. Both have unique adaptations to living in dry, arid conditions, but climate change is definitely going to affect them.
-
Kellie Jaremko answered on 3 May 2016:
I think this is an important problem for society. Although it doesn’t currently affect my science or patients, drought can definitely impact the health of people. Over time if this became more widespread I think we could see more health problems, especially in homeless or poorer people.
Comments