NASA
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration is an independent agency of the United States Federal Government responsible for the civilian space program, as well as aeronautics and aerospace research.
How does NASA's space exploration affect the field of Medicine?
NASA's space exploration has resulted in numerous benefits to the field of health and medicine. Partnerships between NASA and other researchers have led to medical breakthroughs that have evolved the medical practice. An example is the NASA's spin-off program that aims at using space technology to enhance the lives of individuals in the land.
What are the benefits of space exploration to Earth?
Earth benefits from space life sciences Contributions of space exploration which are widely recognized are those dealing with the impact of space technology on public health and medical services in both urban and remote rural areas. Telecommunications, image enhancement, 3-dimensional image reconstructions, miniaturization, automation, an …
What can we learn from space about human health?
Advances in telemedicine, disease models, psychological stress response systems, nutrition and cell behavior are just a few more examples of the benefits that have been gained from applying studies in orbit to human health back on Earth.
Why is the International Space Station important to human health?
During its time in orbit, the space station has enabled research that is providing a better understanding of many aspects of human health including aging, trauma, disease and environmental impacts.
How space exploration benefits health care?
Advances in telemedicine, disease models, psychological stress response systems, nutrition, cell behavior and environmental health are just a few examples of benefits that have been gained from the unique space station microgravity environment.
What medical advances have come from space exploration?
Digital imaging breast biopsy system, developed from Hubble Space Telescope technology. Tiny transmitters to monitor the fetus inside the womb. Laser angioplasty, using fiber-optic catheters. Forceps with fiber optics that let doctors measure the pressure applied to a baby's head during delivery.
How has space exploration helped improve medical equipment?
NASA was able to develop a superior version, giving doctors the ability to diagnose more medical problems than a traditional stethoscope. This enhanced device can detect deadly heart and lung problems typically only found using more expensive and time-consuming methods, such as CT scans or echocardiograms.
How has space exploration helped diabetes?
But over the past several decades we've seen exciting applications of NASA tech applied to the diabetes world – from space microgravity influencing insulin creation, to continuous glucose monitors being used to monitor astronauts' health and biometrics, to islet encapsulation and implantable insulin pumps that have ...
How space technology improves our lives?
Each year, hundreds of technical innovations generated by space programs make their way into our earthly technology such as: better home appliances, advancements in farming equipment, faster communications, more precise maritime and aerospace technologies, safety through dangerous weather warnings, improved medical ...
What are 3 benefits of space exploration?
Everyday benefits of space explorationImproving health care. ... Protecting our planet and our environment. ... Creating scientific and technical jobs. ... Improving our day-to-day lives. ... Enhancing safety on Earth. ... Making scientific discoveries. ... Sparking youth's interest in science. ... Cooperating with countries around the world.
How does NASA provide medical support to astronauts?
The medical capability in a given space flight program (e.g., Apollo, Skylab, ISS, etc.) is defined by its medical requirements. Medical care for each mission within the program is planned by NASA's ground medical team of doctors, biomedical engineers (BMEs), nurses, imaging specialists, and psychologists.
What has space exploration done for us?
Space platforms monitor pollution, measure forest destruction, survey agriculture, identify mineral deposits, spot buried archaeological structures and even uncover agricultural fraud.
Why is it so hard to get enough sleep in space?
During a mission in space, astronauts find it difficult to get enough rest due to ailments that are related to microgravity. Other challenges include disrupted circadian rhythm and disturbance of the sleep-wake cycle.
Why did NASA invest in Zinn Technologies?
NASA observed that its astronauts lost bone mass even while training on the ISS. The space explorers decided to fund Zinn Technologies to come up with a way of addressing the menace. Zinn Technologies developed a system that was later upgraded to FlexLife Health with the goal of commercializing the technology.
What is the rHealth sensor?
The DNA Medical Institute came up with a device known as an rHealth sensor. The method uses a single blood sample and Nanostrips to measure biomarkers.
What are some examples of NASA spin offs?
An example is the NASA's spin-off program that aims at using space technology to enhance the lives of individuals in the land. The spin-off program was originally developed with the objective of enhancing NASA's missions.
What is Pulsar used for?
Pulsar later developed software that is currently used on the ISS. The software has been commercialized, and various institutions including government agencies and other companies have adopted the software. NASA Medical Breakthrough #5: Simulators Used by Emergency Caregivers For Their Training.
What are some examples of the benefits of studying in orbit?
Advances in telemedicine, disease models, psychological stress response systems, nutrition and cell behavior are just a few more examples of the benefits that have been gained from applying studies in orbit to human health back on Earth.
How does spaceflight affect the cardiovascular system?
Studying spaceflight effects on the cardiovascular system has led to the creation of unique instruments that can be used on Earth for the detection of the earliest deviations in health status. These technologies are now used to examine motor vehicle drivers and civil aviation pilots to evaluate risks and prevent accidents. Twenty-four-hour ECGs of astronauts were also analyzed to understand the space environment’s effect on biological rhythm and cardiac autonomic nervous activity leading to recommendations for maintaining a well-balanced biological rhythm on Earth. One of these recommendations is maintenance of a regular sleep schedule. In studying the sleep patterns of cosmonauts using a miniature device that fits in their pocket, information is recorded and sent to Earth for analysis of sleep quality. An Earth model of this device is placed under the pillow or mattress to record movements related to heart and breathing.
What is ESA oil?
The oil contains a visualization marker that is traceable by ultrasound and CT scans to allow doctors to follow the microcapsules as they are site-specifically delivered to the tumor. The semipermeable outer skin releases the drug slowly, through its physical ability to be timed released.
What is the new technology on the ISS?
In common laser surgeries to correct eyesight, a new technology developed on ISS is now used on Earth to track the patient’s eye and precisely direct a laser scalpel. Thermal regulation research on ISS has also led to the use of sensor technology for monitoring during surgery.
How many herpes viruses are there in space?
Virtually the entire population is infected with one of eight herpes viruses, four of which reactivate and appear in body fluids in response to the stress of spaceflight. A patent-pending device designed for use in either a doctor’s office or on a spacecraft allow for the rapid detection of one of these viruses (VZV), which can lead to earlier treatment and prevent the onset of painful shingles. Microgravity studies on ISS help researchers pinpoint genetic triggers for immune responses in T-cells leading to future medical treatments on Earth for immunosuppression. Determining the changes that occur to the immune system in space is providing the means to develop targeted countermeasures to adverse effects in space, as well as providing additional information for targeted treatments on Earth for the development of pharmaceuticals that can suppress immune response to help manage autoimmune diseases or organ transplants.
Why is scanning technology important for osteoporosis?
In promoting the health of the elderly at risk of osteoporosis, improved scanning technologies are under development to provide a reference technique to enable the early detection of osteoporosis and in the development of more effective countermeasures to its effects.
Why is microbiology important?
Microbiology is a vitally important area, not only within human spaceflight but also for humans on Earth. Microorganisms such as bacteria, archea, fungi and algae have a detrimental or a beneficial impact on our daily lives. This research has far-reaching effects feeding into many different areas of biotechnology as microorganisms have a role in food spoilage, waste and sewage treatment and processing, nutrient cycling and exchange, pollution control, and in increased greenhouse gases.
What are the benefits of space science?
Science experiments performed on astronauts in space improve our understanding of medical conditions on Earth. This research has produced findings that can help people suffering from cardiovascular disorders, Type 2 diabetes, osteoporosis and balance problems .
What are the effects of space travel?
During space travel, astronauts are affected by microgravity, radiation and isolation. Some of the changes in their bodies are similar to health problems associated with aging or a sedentary lifestyle.
Why do astronauts wear antigravity suits?
When returning to Earth, some astronauts wear a g-suit, also called an antigravity suit, to apply pressure to the legs and torso in order to reduce symptoms of cardiovascular deconditioning such as lightheadedness, fatigue, nausea, and fainting. A Canadian study tested several g-suit models to assess their effectiveness in preventing these symptoms in returning astronauts.
What is the purpose of the Canadian space robot?
The technology behind Canadian space robots was used to develop IGAR, a tele-operated medical robot capable of performing very precise biopsies to detect breast cancer. IGAR conducts highly accurate and minimally invasive procedures with less pain and discomfort for the patient.
What is the Canadian space station?
Canadian technology on the International Space Station ( ISS) has allowed for innovations in operating rooms. The expertise that powered Canadarm, Canadarm2 and Dextre, Canada's space robots, was used to create surgical robots such as neuroArm, a highly precise robotic arm capable of performing brain surgeries that would otherwise be impossible, and Modus V, a second-generation robotic digital microscope that helps patients with a variety of brain and spine conditions. This technology is allowing neurosurgeons to perform difficult brain surgeries with greater safety and efficiency.
How does space exploration benefit healthcare?
The benefits are numerous including medical breakthroughs enabled by space technology advances.
Why is NASA investing in human health?
This is why NASA is investing in cutting-edge research for human health and performance including high-risk high-reward approaches funded through the Translational Research institute for Space Health (TRISH). Supporting potentially ground-breaking innovations requires a leap of faith in the right direction.
What happens to astronauts' hearts?
Their blood vessels stiffen. A subset of astronauts develop a swelling of the optic nerve and possibly an increase in pressure on the brain . Even dormant viruses become activated, alongside changes to the immune system.
How long does it take for an astronaut to develop a kidney?
Although astronauts are carefully selected to be exceptionally healthy and exhibit peak physical and mental performance, after only four to six months in space, they can develop numerous medical conditions. Without appropriate exercise, they lose bone and muscle mass. They become prone to developing kidney stones.