Dandruff may affect climate

Recent research reveals climate models are far from complete:

Bits of pollen, leaf fragments and even dandruff from people and animals make up a significant portion of dust in the atmosphere but have been ignored by climate modellers, German researchers say.

The scientists report the particles are the right size and shape to act as nuclei for ice crystals, which in turn form clouds and rain.

Thus, they report in the journal Science, the dust could potentially affect weather and climate.

Mr Jaenicke says the find is significant because atmospheric and climate scientists admit that as much as 40 per cent of all aerosols are unidentified, and climate models do not fully take into account the effects of aerosols.

While he is not claiming that dandruff affects global warming, Mr Jaenicke says he also ran tests that showed his particles could easily affect cloud formation.

With dandruff like mine it's no wonder my head's been feeling warm of late. Then there are the thunderstorms ... I'm doomed.