Embarking on a journey to space is said to transform individuals. It often leads to a shift in perspective, offering a unique vantage point of our planet from above, a phenomenon known as the overview effect.
For decades, medical experts have been investigating the impact of space travel on astronauts’ well-being. Known challenges include bone density loss, increased cancer susceptibility, vision changes, compromised immune systems, and mental health concerns. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying these issues have remained elusive.
A groundbreaking initiative called the Space Omics and Medical Atlas (SOMA) aims to shed light on these mysteries. Recently, a collection of 26 papers was published in various Nature journals on June 11, marking the most extensive database on aerospace medicine and space biology to date.
SOMA is addressing a significant transformation in human space exploration, with the emergence of commercial space missions like Axiom, Polaris Dawn, and SpaceX’s Inspiration4. The project’s data encompasses clinical data from these missions, as well as those conducted by NASA and JAXA, the Japanese Space Agency. While government-employed astronauts undergo rigorous health assessments, private space tourists lack similar regulations, raising complex medical, legal, and ethical dilemmas.
2024-06-11 10:00:00
Source: www.sciencenews.org