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OKIsItJustMe

(19,933 posts)
Wed Jan 2, 2013, 12:37 PM Jan 2013

Houston, We Have Another Problem—Study Shows that Space Travel is Harmful to the Brain

http://www.urmc.rochester.edu/news/story/index.cfm?id=3713
[font face=Serif][font size=5]Houston, We Have Another Problem[/font]

[font size=4]Study Shows that Space Travel is Harmful to the Brain[/font]

December 31, 2012

[font size=3]As if space travel was not already filled with enough dangers, a new study out today in the journal PLOS ONE shows that cosmic radiation – which would bombard astronauts on deep space missions to places like Mars – could accelerate the onset of Alzheimer’s disease.

“Galactic cosmic radiation poses a significant threat to future astronauts,” said M. Kerry O’Banion, M.D., Ph.D., a professor in the University of Rochester Medical Center (URMC) Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy and the senior author of the study. “The possibility that radiation exposure in space may give rise to health problems such as cancer has long been recognized. However, this study shows for the first time that exposure to radiation levels equivalent to a mission to Mars could produce cognitive problems and speed up changes in the brain that are associated with Alzheimer’s disease.”

While space is full of radiation, the earth’s magnetic field generally protects the planet and people in low earth orbit from these particles. However, once astronauts leave orbit, they are exposed to constant shower of various radioactive particles. With appropriate warning, astronauts can be shielded from dangerous radiation associated with solar flares. But there are also other forms of cosmic radiation that, for all intents and purposes, cannot be effectively blocked.



Since that time, several studies have demonstrated the potential cancer, cardiovascular, and musculoskeletal impact of galactic cosmic radiation. The study out today for the first time examines the potential impact of space radiation on neurodegeneration, in particular, the biological processes in the brain that contribute to the development of Alzheimer’s disease. O’Banion – whose research focuses on how radiation affects the central nervous system – and his team have been working with NASA for over eight years.

…[/font][/font]
http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0053275
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Houston, We Have Another Problem—Study Shows that Space Travel is Harmful to the Brain (Original Post) OKIsItJustMe Jan 2013 OP
this isn't news. They've known for a decade about this risk ChairmanAgnostic Jan 2013 #1
They've known there are risks associated with cosmic radiation OKIsItJustMe Jan 2013 #5
Remember the good old days of space travel thelordofhell Jan 2013 #2
As a little kid my dream was to go into space. Speck Tater Jan 2013 #3
A new fashion craze will emerge IDoMath Jan 2013 #4
As Tin Foil Hats enjoy an unexpected comeback! ChairmanAgnostic Jan 2013 #6
Not dense enough IDoMath Jan 2013 #7
There's a way around almost anything Phoonzang Jan 2013 #8
I guess that we'll have to cross off Mars as a potential summer vacation spot. (nt) stone space May 2014 #9
That's why Gerard K. O'Neill's space colony designs included a thick layer of radiation shielding LongTomH May 2014 #10
Quick someone tell the republicans!!!! cstanleytech May 2014 #11

ChairmanAgnostic

(28,017 posts)
1. this isn't news. They've known for a decade about this risk
Wed Jan 2, 2013, 12:42 PM
Jan 2013

that is why the most advanced mars ships have tanks of water surrounding the living areas.

OKIsItJustMe

(19,933 posts)
5. They've known there are risks associated with cosmic radiation
Wed Jan 2, 2013, 01:12 PM
Jan 2013

What is news is this particular risk.

[font face=Serif][font size=3]… The study out today for the first time examines the potential impact of space radiation on neurodegeneration, in particular, the biological processes in the brain that contribute to the development of Alzheimer’s disease. …[/font][/font]

thelordofhell

(4,569 posts)
2. Remember the good old days of space travel
Wed Jan 2, 2013, 12:43 PM
Jan 2013

Where it only turned you into an orange rock creature, or made your body super stretchy and pliable, or set your body completely on fire, or even made you invisible..........memories

 

Speck Tater

(10,618 posts)
3. As a little kid my dream was to go into space.
Wed Jan 2, 2013, 12:48 PM
Jan 2013

Now my dream is to keep Earth liveable.

Looks like neither of my dreams is going to come true.

 

IDoMath

(404 posts)
7. Not dense enough
Wed Jan 2, 2013, 04:47 PM
Jan 2013

Will have to be lead-foil. Although the rich and fashion-conscious can use gold and platinum foil. Not as a safe but definitely more stylish.

Phoonzang

(2,899 posts)
8. There's a way around almost anything
Thu Jan 3, 2013, 01:10 AM
Jan 2013

There's a lot of research out there on artificial magnetic fields. Also...just go faster. VASMIR could get a ship to mars in a little over a month instead of 6.

LongTomH

(8,636 posts)
10. That's why Gerard K. O'Neill's space colony designs included a thick layer of radiation shielding
Tue May 6, 2014, 03:19 PM
May 2014

Three meters of lunar regolith or 'slag' from space manufacturing:



cstanleytech

(26,026 posts)
11. Quick someone tell the republicans!!!!
Sat May 10, 2014, 06:37 PM
May 2014

If we are lucky maybe they will panic and try to get off the planet.

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