Central Nervous System (CNS) - Space Effects
Humans have been and continue to be fascinated with the vast area of space. The possibilities seem endless yet there are constraints of long term space travel that can withhold humans from further exploration. During long term and or short term space travel, the central nervous system can be effected in a negative manner that will result in short term and or long term complications. In efforts to eliminate and or ease the complications, one must look at the presented problems as a whole. Current and previous tests are being taken to further understand CNS complications. The test subjects primarily consist of rats, mice, and monkeys. Scientists will continue with the tests on rats and mice, to improve
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The brain interprets the external world and well as controlling the internal and external body; the external interpretation consists of sight, smell, touch, sound, and taste as well as the control of our internal organs. During long term/ short term space travel, consequence towards the CNS occur causing long term as well as short term complications. The primary concern towards the CNS is galactic cosmic rays (GCS). “GCRs are atomic nuclei from which all of the surrounding electrons have been stripped away during their high-speed passage through the galaxy.” Scientists lack the ability to provide optimal conditions to conduct tests in order to aid GCR dangers. The limitation includes: short manned space missions, low population, low earth orbit protection (reduce GCR by magnetic field). Scientists as well as NASA are unwilling to send men for long term space exploration without proper protection from …show more content…
Studies on mice have indicated that GCRs causes dendritic morphology, alzheimer 's disease acceleration, change in dopaminergic neurons, sleep deprivation and loss of sensitivity in muscarinic receptors. To reduce radiation exposure, spacecrafts are equipped with variations of materials and increased material amounts in the most populated areas of the spacecraft. The materials include: high amounts of hydrogen contents, tested and proven to decrease GCRs. The increase in material and material type has aided the safety of astronauts but further measures must be identified to the action of long term space travel. “Plastic is an appealing alternative: Compared to aluminum, polyethylene is 50% better at shielding solar flares and 15% better for cosmic
Public Health Problem Radiation is described as energy that is commonly found in x-rays, nuclear power plants, radioactive materials, sunlight, and in many more sources according to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA, 2015). It can be used as a tool to diagnose and treat diseases. Although there are benefits of radiation, great exposure to radiation is a concern that may be linked to mutations, health problems, and even cancer. This is a problem in today’s society due to the social norms that influence the youth on beauty standards, which can lead to different forms of health issues.
Two hundred monitor units (MU) administered during each trial on a clinically calibrated linear accelerator. Ionization Dmax made with each material using an Exradin A12 Farmer chamber and read by a Keithley 35614 digital dosimeter with no temperature or pressure corrections made. The current in the dosimeter set to +300. The dose on the electrometer measure the output of each trial in Coulombs x
the 12-day mission was just 0.18 rads, or similar to the radiation dosage from a chest X-ray.” This proves that the amount of radiation they were exposed to at
Too much exposure to ionizing radiation can damage the tissues. Children, young women and fetus are more sensitive to this type of radiation than others (Fahey, 2012). • Maintaining the Highest Level of Safety with NM Workers in nuclear medicine should follow safety rules. While working with radioactive materials, personal protective equipment like gloves, protective eye wear and cloths and in some cases fume hoods must be used. NM procedures must be practiced in special closed places.
Non-ionising is found at the end of a long wavelength where as ionising radiation is found at shorter wavelength. Regions of the spectrum: • Gamma radiation- ionizing • X-ray radiation- ionizing • Ultraviolet radiation- non-ionizing • Infrared radiation- non-ionizing • Microwave radiation- non-ionizing • Radio waves- non-ionizing 3- A) Lethal Dose Effects 5-20 Possible late effects; possible chromosomal damage 20-100 Temporary reduction in white blood cells 100-200 Mild radiation sickness within a few hours:
Neuroplasticity is the brain 's ability to reorganize itself by forming new neural connections throughout life. It allows the nerve cells in the brain, neurons, to compensate for injury and disease and to adjust their activities in response to new situations or to changes in their environment. Think of your brain like the leaves of a sunflower. Their leaves grow and move to face the sun throughout the day so that it is more effective in its functions to maintain life. This is quite similar to the day-to-day changes in your brain because the sunflower is adapting to its environment by changing its structure just as the neurons are produced and make different connections throughout the brain.
Nuclear weapons testing, by the United States, was a regular practice on the Marshall Islands from 1946 until 1958. Castle Bravo, was the largest test ever preformed which resulted in unanticipated exposure to inhabitants on some of the surrounding atolls. The exposure to harmful radionuclides caused short-term and long-term effects to the 237 exposed occupants. The literature review pursued a) an understanding of radiation biology, b) the Castle Bravo incident, c) aftermath, and d) the negative short-term and long-term effects of radiation to children. A shocking 47% exposed were under the age of 20.
do not correctly predict real-world human reactions.” (New Technologies) The animals in labs behave differently and more strangely than animals in the wild, and it is regarded as normal. One career researcher assumed that monkeys rocking back and forth in captivity is something that “they just do” (New Technologies). The animals are emotionally stresses, which can upset the results of the experiments- yet another reason why we should not use animals in laboratory tests.
We are always exposed to radiation, but thanks to the shield that the earth provides humans called atmosphere, humans are protected from 99.9% of the dangerous radiations coming from space. When astronauts go to space, instead of receiving the normal dose of radiations that living creatures get on the Earth, 0.00001 Sievert, they get 0.66 Sievert that is the dose that you get if you do a CT scan every five or six days1. This level of radiation may lead to damage to the DNA cells, therefore, causing other diseases2. An example is a study made by the Human Sciences College at the Florida State University which shows that for astronauts who went to the Moon, the proportional mortality rate due to cardiovascular disease is 43%, which is generally
Have you ever dreamed of going to space, floating weightlessly through the black void? Whether as a toddler or still as an adult, everyone has had this dream. However, there is a point in many people’s lives where they lose interest, and some even oppose the idea of exploring the great beyond. Because of this, the world is where it is now: unable to make any significant progress in learning what is outside of our planet. Why do so many people deny the childlike curiosity of knowing what goes on past what we can see?
I will discuss the effects of high G-forces during takeoff and re-entry, zero G-forces while in space, and the deleterious effects of high levels of radiation present in space on the human body over long space flight
After reading a few articles and doing some research on my own I have reached a valid argument to explain a few reasons why preventative measures need to be taken. In this essay I will first explain how radiation is bad for you skin and why we need to take these measures to fight for our lives. Then I will help educate you on how we can add a few things to our daily routines so we can stay healthier and happier in our everyday life.
According to the article [5], NASA tried to launch on January 8, 2014. However, NASA was unable to launch their rockets due to space weather conditions. Specifically, high energetic protons critically damaged computer systems in the launch vehicle on January 7, 2014. This was a serious problem for NASA because the vehicle handled everything necessary to launch rockets. The author also states that the presence of radiation in space has critical effects on electronic devices, ranging from circuit damage to degradation of performance, thereby leading to functional failures of microelectronics.
Most of the animals that are commonly tested are mice, fish, rats, rabbits, guinea pigs, and hamsters. It is estimated that more than 115 million animals worldwide are used in laboratory experiments every year. But because only a small proportion of countries collect and publish data concerning animal use for testing and research, the precise number
Natural sources of radiation are the cosmic rays and the radioactive substances in the soil and the residues they emit into the air, water and food crops. Human cells in our bodies also contain some natural radiation, in the shape of potassium-40. Diminishing of the ozone provides less protection against the cosmic rays at higher altitudes. Risk of exposure increases with increase in duration. In Utah, Colorado, Wyoming and New Mexico of the United States, residents are receiving significantly more radiation from cosmic rays compared to other states.