Space Life Sciences

Astronaut Carl E. Walz performs CPR on a chest model while aboard the ISS.
Courtesy of NASA.
Effects of microgravity on body systems, countermeasures to promote astronaut health in space
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Bone Loss with Space Exploration
Presentation
Susan A. Bloomfield, PhD, FACSM, speaks about bone structure and different kinds of bone, the causes of bone loss during space exploration, and strategies for slowing or counterbalancing the process of bone loss, in space and on Earth.
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Eating in Space: Does Nutrition Matter?
Presentation
Joanne R. Lupton, PhD, explains how astronauts maintain proper nutrition levels and why nutrition is critical to the success of long duration spaceflight.
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Maintaining Muscle Mass in Space
Presentation
How and why do our muscles change during spaceflight, why is this important, and what can we do to limit muscle atrophy in space and on Earth? Kenneth M. Baldwin, PhD, explains.
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Radiation Effects
Presentation
Ann R. Kennedy, PhD, teaches about 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 Daily Rhythms
Presentation
Charles A. Czeisler, MD, PhD, explains the body’s “internal clock,” how sleep patterns are impacted by spaceflight and microgravity, and strategies to counteract these impacts.
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Sleep and Human Performance
Presentation
When sleep is disturbed or of inadequate duration, we generally perform at a lower level. David F. Dinges, PhD, describes studies being conducted to understand and limit these problems for astronauts on space missions and patients on Earth.
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The Barany Chair
Presentation
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.
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Therapeutic Ultrasound
Presentation
Learn from Lawrence A. Crum, PhD, about therapeutic ultrasound, some of its basic applications, and potential benefits of therapeutic ultrasound for astronauts and patients on Earth.