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Topic Name: NSBRI Select 17 Proposals in Space Radiation Research
Category: Biomedical
Research persons: William Jeffs , Kathy Major, Beth Dickey, Melissa Mathews
Location: Suite 5K39, Washington, DC 20546-0001, United States
Details
The crews of future missions to the moon and Mars could face serious health
risks from exposure to space radiation. NASA and the
National
Space Biomedical Research Institute, known as NSBRI, Houston, will fund 17
new research projects that will enable NASA to better understand and reduce
those risks. Scientists at universities, research institutions and private
companies in eight states will conduct the studies.
The goal of NASA's space radiation
research is to enable the human
exploration of space by understanding and limiting astronaut health risks
from space radiation. The health risks of radiation during space travel may
include cancer, acute radiation sickness and degenerative tissue damage,
including damage to the central nervous system. The new research is designed to
deliver products that will help in the development of effective shielding or
biological countermeasures for radiation exposure.
The 17 projects were selected from 98 proposals received in response to a
NASA and
NSBRI announcement, Ground-Based Studies in Space Radiation. Scientific and
technical experts from academia and government laboratories reviewed the
proposals. The total potential value of the selected proposals is about $15
million.
NSBRI is a NASA-funded consortium of institutions studying the health risks
related to long-duration spaceflight. The institute's science, technology and
education projects take place at more than 70 institutions across the United
States.
Preventing Skin Cancer
According to the American Cancer Society, approximately 1.3 million people will
be diagnosed with skin cancer this year. Fortunately, there are certain steps
that people can take to lessen the chances of developing this type of cancer.
Stay inside from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. while the sun's rays are the strongest. If
you absolutely must be outside, wear a wide brimmed hat to keep the sun from
your face. Wearing light colored clothing that covers your arms and legs is
another necessary precaution. For additional protection, apply a liberal amount
of sunscreen with sun protection factor (SPF) 15 or higher to every inch of
exposed skin. People with fair skin or a family history of skin cancer should be
especially cautious whenever they are outside. By taking these preventive steps
at an early age, you will reduce your risk of skin cancer .
Three Kinds of Space Radiation
While on Earth, there are ways for humans to protect themselves against
radiation's effects. But as the human gaze shifts more and more towards the
heavens, scientists must find ways to combat the radiation traveling unhindered
through space. Sunscreen might block UVA and UVB rays but is ineffective against
gamma rays. The Earth's atmosphere shields humans from much of the energetic
radiation. However, the atmosphere is not as thick 250 miles above the ground.
The astronauts on the International Space Station are sitting ducks for
radiation.
Dangers to Astronauts
In the past, several monitoring devices onboard Mir and the space shuttle have
measured radiation levels. Scientists have used everything from passive
dosimeters (radiation detectors) to a radiation environment monitor. The data
they received was helpful, but only told them about the doses of radiation
absorbed by the external skin of an astronaut. The scientists knew that in order
to find a way to protect the astronauts, they had to know what levels of
radiation were penetrating the inner organs where cancer could form. Thus, Fred
was born. Fred is NASA's Phantom Torso traveling in the International Space
Station. This replica of a human torso, see picture, is composed of 35 one-inch
layers, each carrying passive dosimeters to measure the total radiation that
travels through the torso. Real-time radiation levels will also be measured in
the Phantom's brain, stomach, heart, colon, and thyroid. Fred's "skin" is made
of Nomex, a non-flammable material used in the suits worn by NASCAR drivers. Two
more passive dosimeters in the "skin" measure external radiation doses. The data
from the internal detectors can then be compared with data from the external
detectors. NASA hopes that this experiment will provide information on how to
better protect the astronauts.
About Researchers & Contacts:
Beth Dickey/Melissa Mathews
Headquarters, Washington
Phone: 202-358-2087/1272
Email: beth.dickey-1@nasa.gov, melissa.mathews-1@nasa.gov
William Jeffs
Johnson Space Center, Houston
Phone: 281-483-5111
Email: william.p.jeffs@nasa.gov
Kathy Major
National Space Biomedical Research Institute (NSBRI), Houston
Phone: 713-798-5893
Email: major@bcm.edu
For more information:
http://www.nasa.gov/centers/johnson/news/space_radiation.html
http://www.dsls.usra.edu/spacerad/
http://www.c-ad.bnl.gov/esfd/nsrl/index.html
http://www.nasa.gov
http://www.nsbri.org
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