April 20, 2024

New Year’s Science in Space – For a Healthier Life

ESA astronaut Matthias Maurer inside the seven-windowed cupola. Credit: NASA/ESA– M.Maurer.
Another year passes, and our muscles, eyes, ears, and bones degrade as we age– a lot more so in area. Reactions in ESA astronaut Matthias Maurers body after hardly 2 months on the International Space Station are offering European scientists clues on how to battle the disadvantages of aging on Earth.
Vision and hearing loss.
Around 70% of astronauts experience changes in the optic nerve throughout a long stay in space, a phenomenon called Space-Associated Neuro-ocular Syndrome (SANS). This vision pathology is also considered as the second threat to human health throughout a mission to Mars.
Matthias and his NASA crewmates Thomas Marshburn and Raja Chari lent their eyes to the Retinal Diagnostics experiment. An unique ocular lens clipped to the back of a tablet enabled the astronauts to record pictures of their eyes and send them to Earth.

Irish nationwide student Eóin Tuohy has his retina imaged by ESA astronaut Matthias Maurer during training for Retinal Diagnostics at ESAs European Astronaut Centre in Cologne, Germany. Matthias and his NASA associate Raja Chari (left) are 2 of the first astronauts to attempt the technology in orbit. All going well, this model will be utilized to automatically detect changes in the optic nerve of astronauts, understood as Space-Associated Neuro-ocular Syndrome (SANS).
These images will be utilized to train an AI design that could discover ocular modifications and immediately give a medical diagnosis. The device will not only help astronauts exploring deep area, however likewise facilitate sustainable health care on our planet.
The International Space Station is far from being a quiet location. Creaking sounds, humming fans and continuous conferences with ground control belong to the sounds that fill Matthiass life in area. The Acoustic Diagnostics experiment research studies the impacts of the background noise in the Station on the hearing of the astronauts.
Weak muscles.
Matthiass muscles weaken in orbit, similar to they do as people age. He is helping a group of medical scientists on Earth to determine how muscle mass is lost and how to prevent it.
After getting a fresh shipment of science from the SpaceX Dragon vehicle in time for Christmas, Matthias sorted artificial muscle cells the size of a grain of rice inside the Kubik minilab. Part of these cells will be electrically stimulated to activate contractions in weightlessness, while others will experience synthetic gravity by means of centrifugation.

Irish national student Eóin Tuohy has his retina imaged by ESA astronaut Matthias Maurer throughout training for Retinal Diagnostics at ESAs European Astronaut Centre in Cologne, Germany. Matthias and his NASA colleague Raja Chari (left) are two of the first astronauts to try the technology in orbit. Matthias used a non-invasive, portable gadget on the Space Station to keep track of the tone, stiffness and flexibility of certain muscles in the leg. ESA astronaut Matthias Maurer consumes cream of potato soup developed by Saarland chef Christian Heinsdorf for Matthiass Cosmic Kiss mission. Matthias is likewise attempting to optimise his physical fitness in space, an exercise routine that takes about two hours each day.

Scientists of the MicroAge task will keep an eye on how the tissue reacts to microgravity and accelerated ageing processes. This might one day help individuals to better preserve their strength and movement into aging.
Another experiment looking into muscle health is Myotones. Matthias used a non-invasive, portable gadget on the Space Station to keep an eye on the tone, tightness and flexibility of certain muscles in the leg. He is one of the 12 astronauts participating in this study to determine the very best countermeasures for lots of people impacted by strained muscles.
ESA astronaut Matthias Maurer consumes cream of potato soup established by Saarland chef Christian Heinsdorf for Matthiass Cosmic Kiss objective. Matthias shared this unique meal from his house area with his Expedition 66 team mates in orbit using specially-design spoons as part of an examination into the antimicrobial residential or commercial properties of laser-structured surfaces. Credit: ESA/NASA.
Matthias is likewise trying to optimise his physical fitness in area, a workout routine that takes about 2 hours every day. During numerous workouts using the treadmill and doing squats, he placed on a wearable electro muscle stimulation (EMS) suit that activated his muscles. The EasyMotion research intends to much better understand physiological stress for astronauts and could lead to brand-new rehab treatments in the world.
Maintaining body fat and muscle also boils down to diet. Matthias keeps logging his meals to track his energy intake and examine his nutrition. The NutrISS study introduces a new approach to adjust diet plan and workout for long stays in space. The science groups in the world hope that a carefully-tailored high-protein diet might restrict the typical microgravity-driven loss of bone and muscle.
Area fever and cosmic dreams.
Body temperature level is known to be greater in area. This area fever poses a potential risk to astronaut health. The Thermo-Mini experiment has recorded Matthiass core body temperature level and body clock utilizing a small thermal sensor strapped to his forehead for almost 40 hours over 3 sessions.
Body temperature level is understood to be higher in area. This area fever presents a potential risk to astronaut health. The Thermo-Mini experiment has actually recorded Matthiass core body temperature level and circadian rhythm using a small thermal sensing unit strapped to his forehead for nearly 40 hours over 3 sessions. The data will help show and comprehend this phenomenon that this little device could be utilized in hospitals and by people working in severe environments in the world such as miners or firefighters. Credit: ESA/NASA.
The data will assist understand this phenomenon and prove that this small gadget could be utilized in medical facilities and by people working in extreme environments in the world such as miners or firemens.
Sleep plays a significant function in human health and well-being when it comes to healing. Insufficient sleep or sleep conditions can increase the risk of diseases and has an impact on individualss efficiency.
CASA, short for Crew Alternate Sleep Accommodation, is the new location for European astronauts to sleep and unwind in the Columbus laboratory. Credit: ESA– M. Maurer.
Matthias has actually been using a headband throughout his sleep for the Dreams experiment.
The gadget provides info about the different sleep stages and sleep performance. This easy to use innovation might assist astronauts and individuals in the world to enhance their sleep regimens and identify potential disorders.