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from the the-final-frontier-is-dangerous dept.
Cristoforetti, of the European Space Agency (ESA), was scanned prior to her trip to the International Space Station (ISS) in November 2014. When Cristoforetti landed back on Earth on June 11 this year, her 199-day mission meant she became a new record-holder for the single longest spaceflight by a woman, eclipsing NASA's Sunita William's 195-day flight in 2006-2007. Cristoforetti's skin cells were subsequently re-scanned by Koenig, who explained how on the ISS skin physiology is different, leading to some surprising results.
"So far we've got interesting results from three astronauts. It seems that there is a strong production of collagen; so suddenly these astronauts have more collagen. It means there is some sort of anti-ageing effect, at least in the dermis - the lower part of the skin. And we found that the epidermis, in particular the part of the living cells, that this epidermis is shrinking, so the skin gets thinner," Koenig said.
Bone de-calcification? Check. Cancer from space radiation? Check. Thinner skin? Check. Perhaps we ought to go with exploration via telepresence robots for the time being?
(Score: 2) by VortexCortex on Wednesday July 22 2015, @05:26PM
Many innovations created for the space programs benefit us on Earth. From edible Toothpaste to memory foam mattresses, water treatment technology, and TV satellites. Nearly everything done in the name of enabling space exploration benefits all humans.
Now let's re-examine this statement:
Bone de-calcification? Check. Cancer from space radiation? Check. Thinner skin? Check. Perhaps we ought to go with exploration via telepresence robots for the time being?
Negative, Will Robinson. Robot explorers aren't the best choice if you want a cure for osteoporosis, a vaccine for cancer, and actual anti-aging lotion -- Not to mention getting a few of our eggs out of this one giant basket to reduce the current 100% chance of extinction.
We can sent the politicians there. On the ship B.
I don't know about you, but I wouldn't want only politician benefiting from the fruits of space exploration. Interesting, how self loathing the humans are to ignore that those of the B Ship survived and flourished on a bountiful beautiful frontier world.
(Score: 2) by Daiv on Wednesday July 22 2015, @07:00PM
Whoooosh!
Please go read The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy. It'll make you a better person.
(Score: 1, Informative) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday July 22 2015, @08:54PM
Here's the way Douglas Adams referenced that: The B Ark [google.com]
-- gewg_