Yamamoto further pointed out that prior research found that lunar cycles change insect and bird hormones. They also help to influence fish reproduction. In rodents, they even appear to affect the way food tastes to rats. Chanchal Bhattacharjee of the Accident and Emergency Department at Bradford Royal Infirmary and colleagues additionally found that animals bite more when the moon is full. Over a two-year study at the infirmary, based on patient numbers, they discovered that during such nights the chances of suffering a bite from any animal -- mostly dogs -- double. As for humans, Yamamoto says the connection has proven trickier to establish "because many implicating factors may influence human behavior," such as interaction with others or stressful situations. "But," he added, "there could be a possible explanation that lunar cycles affect hormone changes in humans and such changes consequently control human behavior, such as becoming violent." He hopes future studies, on both birds and other animals, will help to better identify exactly how lunar phases change behavior and the biophysical processes that underlie these changes. Related Links: Jennifer Viegas' blog: Born Animal How Stuff Works: How the Moon Works |
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