Space Life Sciences

Astronaut Carl E. Walz, Flight Engineer, NASA ISS Expedition 4, performs CPR on an improvised "human chest" dummy while onboard the Space Station.
Courtesy of NASA.
Effects of microgravity on body systems, countermeasures to promote astronaut health in space
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Eating in Space: Does Nutrition Matter?
Slide Set
Discover how nutrition and exercise can be used as countermeasures to some of the more critical risks and challenges to human physiological systems while in space. Joanne R. Lupton, PhD, explains.
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Maintaining Muscle Mass in Space
Slide Set
Kenneth M. Baldwin, PhD, explains how and why muscles change during spaceflight, why is this important, and what can we do to limit muscle atrophy in space and on Earth.
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Radiation Effects
Slide Set
Learn about the latest research discoveries with Ann R. Kennedy, PhD, as she discusses the potential dangers and effects of radiation on space travelers, and ways in which the risks can be reduced.
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Sleep and Human Performance
Slide Set
Some marine mammals—such as dolphins—can swim while one of their two cerebral hemispheres sleeps. Humans and other terrestrial mammals do not have this adaptation. Explore the science of sleep.
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The Barany Chair
Slide Set
Astronauts on space missions must cope with, and adjust for the impact of microgravity on their senses. Gregory Vogt, EdD, demonstrates how to use the Barany Chair, a tool that illustrates some of these sensory challenges.