Beorn
02-17-2009, 08:19 PM
Are Geordie girls really more thick-skinned? Scientists reveal why scantily-clad women in Newcastle can wear so little for a night out
Their ability to wander out on freezing nights in skimpy clothes is the stuff of legend…if not mystery.
Now scientists have decided to test their theory that the reason Geordie women go out without coats on is because they have thicker skins.
Researchers at Newcastle’s International Centre for Life are creating an experiment to
look at whether women in the North-East are naturally warmer than those in the South.
http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2009/02/17/article-0-00251E1E0000044C-474_468x286.jpg
Geordie women line up outside a bar - without their coats
As part of their investigation, locals will be asked to fill in a questionnaire about their coat-wearing behaviour.
Specifically they will be asked if their reason for shunning layers is because they don’t need them or out of cultural habit.
One of the questions the Geordies will be asked is: What would persuaded you to wear a coat on a night out?
The scientists will also be travelling to Newcastle nightspots to try to quantify how many revellers are not wearing their coats.
Linda Conlon, chief executive of the Centre for Life, 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.’
Previous studies have shown that those in the North consume more fat than their southern counterparts which could provide more insulation.
A survey by Unilever found an average 45-year-old in Scotland ate as much as 46g of saturated fat a day on a typical diet of a fry-up, buttered toast for breakfast, soup and buttered roll with yoghurt for lunch and pie and chips with cake or bread for tea – plus a snack such as a biscuit.
By contrast in the South East a 45-year-old would typically consume food with saturated fat up to 33g.
The clothes investigation is part of the Newcastle ScienceFest, which will feature ten-day of events to celebrate innovation.
Source (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1147422/Are-Geordie-girls-really-skinned-Scientists-reveal-scantily-clad-women-Newcastle-wear-little-night-out.html)
Their ability to wander out on freezing nights in skimpy clothes is the stuff of legend…if not mystery.
Now scientists have decided to test their theory that the reason Geordie women go out without coats on is because they have thicker skins.
Researchers at Newcastle’s International Centre for Life are creating an experiment to
look at whether women in the North-East are naturally warmer than those in the South.
http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2009/02/17/article-0-00251E1E0000044C-474_468x286.jpg
Geordie women line up outside a bar - without their coats
As part of their investigation, locals will be asked to fill in a questionnaire about their coat-wearing behaviour.
Specifically they will be asked if their reason for shunning layers is because they don’t need them or out of cultural habit.
One of the questions the Geordies will be asked is: What would persuaded you to wear a coat on a night out?
The scientists will also be travelling to Newcastle nightspots to try to quantify how many revellers are not wearing their coats.
Linda Conlon, chief executive of the Centre for Life, 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.’
Previous studies have shown that those in the North consume more fat than their southern counterparts which could provide more insulation.
A survey by Unilever found an average 45-year-old in Scotland ate as much as 46g of saturated fat a day on a typical diet of a fry-up, buttered toast for breakfast, soup and buttered roll with yoghurt for lunch and pie and chips with cake or bread for tea – plus a snack such as a biscuit.
By contrast in the South East a 45-year-old would typically consume food with saturated fat up to 33g.
The clothes investigation is part of the Newcastle ScienceFest, which will feature ten-day of events to celebrate innovation.
Source (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1147422/Are-Geordie-girls-really-skinned-Scientists-reveal-scantily-clad-women-Newcastle-wear-little-night-out.html)