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Cold nose? You may be working too hard

An example of the thermal imaging measurements 
An example of the thermal imaging measurements

The next time you suspect you are overdoing things mentally, a quick check of your nose temperature could prove illuminating.

Scientists have discovered that a cold hooter is a sign of thinking too hard.

In a new study, in which researchers used thermal imaging cameras on the faces of 14 volunteers while they carried out mental tasks, they found that the nose temperature of those feeling overwhelmed dropped by around one degree centigrade. The scientists say it as a sign that the brain is overworking, and has ordered that blood should be diverted to help neurons. Extremities, like the nose, suffer first because it take more energy to pump blood to them.

Dr Alastair Ritchie of the Bioengineering Research Group at the University of Nottingham said: “We expected that mental demands on an operator would result in physiological changes, but the direct correlation between the workload and the skin temperature was very impressive.

“It was counter intuitive. We were not expecting to see the face getting colder. With this accurate way to estimate workload, we can develop methods that will assist the operator at times of maximum stress.”

The team are hoping that the technique could be used to remotely monitor whether employees are working too hard, without interfering with their tasks.

Thermal cameras could be placed in cockpits to monitor pilots - Credit: Getty 
Thermal cameras could be placed in cockpits to monitor pilots Credit: Getty

They suggest, for example, that thermal imaging cameras could be placed in the cockpit of aircraft to check the pressure on pilots. The team is working alongside Airbus on the project.

Pilots suffering from elevated levels of stress or tiredness has become a major concern in recent years, particularly since the 2015 Germanwings crash, which was caused by co-pilot Andreas Lubitz. Lubitz had been treated for suicidal tendencies and been declared unfit to fly by his doctor, but had kept the information from his employer.

Professor Herve Morvan, director of the Integration of Novel Aerospace Technologies, said: “Pilot fatigue has received greater exposure recently.

“Developing an advanced system to monitor it is a significant step in a sector where safety is paramount.”

Results show that when people are fully focused on a task, their breathing rate is changed by the nervous system, diverting blood flow into the brain.

Researchers monitored the temperature of volunteers faces while they performed tasks - Credit: Nottingham University 
Researchers monitored the temperature of volunteers faces while they performed tasks Credit: Nottingham University

Professor Sarah Sharples, Professor of Human Factors, said: "Specialists have been challenged for some years on how to measure workload without needing to interrupt people to ask how busy they are.

"We have developed a much better understanding of how physical changes associated with workloads manifest themselves as physiological symptoms, and how these symptoms translate into the parameters that we can measure."

Adrian Marinescu, who is studying physiological responses to workload at Nottingham, added "Preliminary results are promising.

"Our goal is to estimate workload using non-invasive and non-intrusive physiological monitoring. Of all the approaches, facial thermography is the least intrusive, and has proved to be an excellent method.

"It is convenient, gives real-time data. The cameras have been getting smaller, lighter and more affordable," he said.

The research was published in the journal Human Factors.