William Atkins
Friday, 10 July 2009 20:04
Science -
Health
Page 4 of 5
Dr. Levene, states,
"We're incorporating the most sophisticated tools ever used in such an experiment to look at the heart and its chambers and valves. This is the first investigation ever to use advanced echo-Doppler techniques to follow the structure and function of the heart during long periods in space and confirm findings by using advanced magnetic resonance imaging tools on the ground.”
He adds,
“For example, we're using an echocardiogram to determine how heart muscle atrophy influences the way the heart relaxes and fills, and an MRI to quantify this atrophy precisely, and determine whether it scars or gets infiltrated by fat." [NASA]
Levene adds, "
We're answering questions like 'is the deterioration simply in size, like Arnold Schwarzenegger's muscle loss if he stopped lifting weights, or does the heart scar, do cells die?'" [NASA]
Even though the study will help these scientists learn more about how the heart works in space, it will also help them learn more about how to prevent heart problems here on Earth.
Dr. Levene concludes,
"The information we get from these experiments will be relevant for patients after long-term bedrest or other physical activity restrictions, as well as for patients with congestive heart failure, heart disease, and even normal aging." [NASA]
The NASA article also talks about “weightlessness,” “zero-G,” and other such terms associated with space travel. They all mean the same thing: even though gravity is present at all times and is present in all portions of the universe, sometimes humans don’t “perceive” the force of gravity.
NASA states,
“Up on the space station in Earth orbit, you're weightless. In fact, if you don't fasten yourself onto or into something while you sleep, there's no telling where in the space station compartment you'll wake up. You may find yourself wedged next to an air vent.”
It continues,
“But space station astronauts only appear to be floating. They are actually in "freefall," which means the major force acting on them is from gravity. On the station, the gravity pull comes from the Earth because it is the closest large body. The space station free-falls as it orbits the Earth. If there were no forces acting on the space station, it would travel in a straight line away from the Earth.”
Page five concludes.
