How many science fiction stories, or for that matter how often have we seen in the movies that if you were rich and old you could go into space and live longer. It was supposed to be easier on the cardie-vascular system, but that does not seem to pay out in real life.
In this IO9 article going into space actually accelerates the aging process! Here is what it says in black and white:
- a new study shows that microgravity environments speed up biological aging and the onset of cardiovascular disease by affecting blood vessel cells.
We have known for some time that a micro-gravity environment promotes, muscle atrophy, bone density loss, immune response impairments - and now it would seem cardiovascular problems. It has been known for some time that micro-gravity can damage eyes and brain and can even cause something very much like idiopathic intracranial hypertension or brain swelling!
But aging? Really? Yep, according to a recent study by the Journal of Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology - micro-gravity can cause the accelerated aging of endothelial cells which line the inner surfaces of blood vessels.
A research team from the Institute of Molecular Science and Technologies in Milan determined
- analyzing experiments conducted on the International Space Station. They compared space-flown endothelial cells to cells cultured under normal gravity. They looked for differences in gene expression and in the profile of secreted proteins. The researchers discovered that the space-flown cells differentially expressed more than 1,000 genes
Check out the complete article here
6 comments:
Well, until we can come up with a way to to maintain an artificial gravity near to 1G and a reasonable air pressure for extended periods of time, I may just pass on my dream of getting the hell out of this solar system.
We get old fast enough here. I thought that the more we approach reletavitic speeds, the slower one would age. Eh! Well, untill we can come up with something like Alcubierre's idea of containg "space normal" so that it can move through space, as space, at any speed - providing one has the energy to do it (Warp drive)... I'm stuck in this star system. Foo!
I FEEL THE WAY TECHNOLOGY IS ADVANCING THE WAY IT IS THERE WILL BE A SOLUTION FOR THIS MATTER OF HEALTH ISSUES IN SPACE.
JIMI L.
well, you know, I wonder if artificial hibernation might slow that process down. Any of the extended processes that would allow us to slow down the biological processes...
BTOYM, now I think you have hit on the break even item. Just what happens as you reach a significant percentage of C. As Dr. E. said, it is relative. On the ship, the progression would seem the same in the same time frame, but from the observer it would slow down drastically. I still think that some form of hibernation is the answer.
Jimi
Oh I am sure this is a true statement but you have got to think that it asks to much of future generations. The whole idea for asking the question is to see what the present scientists think or would try. I think it is fair to ask if I could be privy to the solution....
Hey, thanks for the note.
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