Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 17, 2026

A Luciferase-fluorescent Reporter Influenza Virus for Live Imaging and Quantification of Viral Infection
Published on: August 14, 2019
Influenza pandemics, solar activity cycles, and vitamin D
1The Brooklyn Hospital Center, Brooklyn, New York 11201, USA. dhayes@health.nyc.gov
Abstract:
There is historic evidence that influenza pandemics are associated with solar activity cycles (the Schwabe-cycle of about 11-years periodicity). The hypothesis is presented and developed that influenza pandemics are associated with solar control of vitamin D levels in humans which waxes and wanes in concert with solar cycle dependent ultraviolet radiation. It is proposed that this solar cycle dependence arises both directly from cyclic control of the amount of ultraviolet radiation as well as indirectly through cyclic control of atmospheric circulation and dynamics.
Related Concept Videos
Influenza
Role of Skin in Vitamin D Synthesis
The solar UV B rays (290-315 nm) are absorbed by the skin, and 7-dehydrocholesterol (provitamin D3) photolyzes it to previtamin D3, which undergoes a rapid transformation to vitamin D3(cholecalciferol).
Infectious Diseases and Their Occurrence
Vaccinations
Pharmacokinetics: Drug–Food and Drug–Viral Interactions
Inhibitors of Viral Protein Synthesis

