Space is filled with many dangers astronauts think about when scheduled for a flight.
There is the extreme cold, sudden blasts of radiation from the sun and a vacuum that would make a Hoover look like a straw.
Although it might not make the astronauts’ short list, NASA is spending over $1 million between UH and Texas A&M in grants for researchers to study the effects of bone loss in space.
Missions to Mars and more trips to the moon will mean that astronauts will be in space for longer periods of time, which Daniel Martinez, UH human health and performances associate professor, said needs further study.
‘The long-term health consequences for crew members are unclear, so the problem needs to be better understood,’ he said.
Martinez is studying the effects of zero gr---avity on human bones. He is working in conjunction with lead investigator Harry Hogan and co-investigator Susan Bloomfield, both faculty members at Texas A&M University.
‘Many bone properties, including bone strength, are not directly measurable in humans. This is where animal studies provide a crucial role,’ Martinez said.
Martinez, who received $265,000 from NASA’s Human Research Program, is working with laboratory rats to assess activities that might have an effect on bone mass in space. Martinez is studying the effects of resistance training and treadmill running to see if the exercises have an impact on bone loss.
‘These results will give us a better idea of the risk of space travel on long-term crew member health and the factors most critical to monitor when assessing recovery of bone health following single or multiple missions,’ Martinez said.
