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Seasonality updated in 28 European/Mediterranean countries: A continuing enigma
Author(s) -
Cummings David R.
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
american journal of human biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.559
H-Index - 81
eISSN - 1520-6300
pISSN - 1042-0533
DOI - 10.1002/ajhb.22534
Subject(s) - seasonality , hum , mediterranean climate , geography , climatology , clarity , demography , history , ecology , biology , sociology , archaeology , geology , biochemistry , performance art , art history
Objectives This report updates birth seasonality for 28 European/Mediterranean countries and evaluates the possible influence of atmospheric clarity/quality on seasonality. Methods Birth data between 1970 and 2011 were adjusted for seasonality and are presented as conceptions. Results Presently, 27 of 28 countries have peak conceptions during the last 3 months of the year, a greater concentration than was previously recognized. Conclusions There is no apparent explanation for the en masse transition of seasonality, particularly the abrupt change in seasonality for nine countries, The frequency of sexual intercourse might be a one determinant while another possibility might be the decadal changes in atmospheric clearness/quality. However, causal relationships cannot be inferred without further study and/or animal experimentation. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 26:424–426, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.