Women's brain work better in warmer offices

Women often complain that the office temperature is too low -- but it's not just comfort that's at stake.

Researchers say women's productivity may improve when the thermostat is set to warmer temperatures.

The new study, published Wednesday in the journal PLOS One, raises "the stakes for the battle of the thermostat."

Previous research has found that most modern offices use climate control systems based on the metabolic rate of an average man, with the ideal temperature for women almost 5 degrees Fahrenheit warmer than it is for men.

"People invest a lot in making sure their workers are comfortable and highly productive," said Tom Chang, associate professor of finance and business economics at the University of Southern California Marshall School of Business.

"This study is saying even if you care only about money, or the performance of your workers, you may want to crank up the temperature in your office buildings," added Chang, the lead author of the study, in a press statement by the University of Southern California.