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Updated: Jun 17, 2026
06:14
Simulating Imaging of Large Scale Radio Arrays on the Lunar Surface
Published on: July 30, 2020
The dark side of the moon
Leonie A Calver1, Barrie J Stokes, Geoffrey K Isbister
1Department of Clinical Toxicology and Pharmacology, Calvary Mater Newcastle Hospital, Newcastle, NSW, Australia. leonie.calver@mater.health.nsw.gov.au
The Medical Journal of Australia
|December 24, 2009
Summary
Violent behavior and acute disturbances were more common during the full moon, challenging previous research. This study examined extreme behavioral disturbances in relation to lunar phases.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Lunar studies
- Emergency medicine
Background:
- The belief linking the full moon to disturbed behavior persists despite contradictory scientific evidence.
- Previous studies have not consistently supported a link between lunar phases and general behavioral disturbances.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between extreme behavioral disturbances and the full moon.
- To determine if heightened behavioral disturbance specifically correlates with lunar cycles.
Main Methods:
- An observational study was conducted at Calvary Mater Newcastle's emergency department.
- Data collected on patients with violent/acute disturbances and those requiring security calls for less severe behaviors.
- Patient presentations and security calls were analyzed by lunar phase using a Poisson process model.
Main Results:
- 23% of patients with violent/acute behavioral disturbances presented during the full moon, double the rate in other lunar phases (P = 0.002).
- Alcohol intoxication or psychostimulant toxicity were present in 66% of these patients.
- Less severe behavioral disturbances, indicated by 512 security calls, showed no correlation with lunar phases.
Conclusions:
- Violent and acute behavioral disturbances were found to manifest more commonly during the full moon.
- The findings suggest a specific link between extreme behavioral disturbances and lunar phases.
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