Nature, 14 August 2024

What is the hottest temperature humans can survive? These labs are redefining the limit

The threshold for survival in heat is lower than thought — researchers are using state-of-the-art climate chambers to explore when blistering conditions threaten life.

In 2019, physiologist Ollie Jay started designing a chamber that could simulate the heatwaves of today and of the future. Eighteen months later, the Aus$2-million (US$1.3-million) structure was built, packed up in Brisbane, Australia, and driven 1,000 kilometres to the University of Sydney, where it was lifted to the top floor of a shiny glass building. Now, researchers including Jay are using it to test the limits of human survival in extreme heat, which are surprisingly poorly understood.

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