. 24/7 Space News .
SPACE MEDICINE
Keeping the rhythm in space
by Staff Writers
Paris (ESA) Jun 22, 2017


ESA astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti participated in the Circadian Rhythms experiment during her mission on the International Space Station in 2014-15. The sensor is a non-invasive thermometer worn on the forehead and on the sternum that continuously monitors core body temperature. Participating astronauts track temperature for 36-hour periods many times during their missions as well as before and after spaceflight.

Space is an inhospitable environment for the human body but we adapt remarkably well. Within hours, the brain adjusts to the lack of an up or down, as if floating is all it has ever known.

Now researchers are learning how our internal clock similarly adjusts to the restrictions of space. An ESA-sponsored experiment has found that while you can take the body out of Earth, you can't take an Earth-based rhythm out of the body.

Circadian rhythms describe the changes our bodies undergo over about 24 hours. This internal clock is regulated by core temperature, which tells our bodies when its day or night and triggers systems such as metabolism and the sleep cycle.

On Earth, our core temperature is a steady 37 C, with half a degree decrease in the early morning and increase in the early evening.

"If our bodies are an orchestra, core body temperature is the conductor, signalling when hormones and other systemic functions should come into play," explains Dr Hanns-Christian Gunga of the University of Berlin, principle investigator of the experiment.

The circadian rhythm is a smooth wave that synchronises with our day of 24 hours.

What happens to this wave in space? Researchers predicted that the lack of regular sunlight and the artificial environment of the International Space Station would flatten it. In other words, core temperature would drop and the human body would lose its rhythm.

To test this theory, 10 astronauts measured their core temperatures for 36 hour periods before, during and after spaceflight using two sensors strapped to the forehead and the chest.

The results so far have amazed researchers. Core body temperature increased overall, and the half-degree fluctuations within 24 hours gradually shifted by about two hours.

In order to keep its rhythm going, the body works harder and runs warmer. Triggers to eat, metabolise and sleep, for example, shift to account for this. Researchers are not yet sure why this is the case, but these initial results have important implications.

Astronauts are shift workers with tight schedules. To ensure they work when they're most alert and focused and rest when they need to, we must understand and anticipate enhanced circadian rhythms during spaceflight. Mission controllers can then more effectively plan longer missions to ensure crew are healthy and efficient.

The role of core temperature in tuning our clocks also suggests important research avenues for shift work studies on Earth. The non-invasive sensor developed to measure temperature on the Station can also be used to conveniently track core temperature in clinics or field studies.

ESA astronaut Paolo Nespoli will be the next astronaut to take part this year, followed by Japanese astronaut Norishige Kanai in 2018, by when the experiment will have collected all of its data and more conclusions can be made. Stay tuned.

SPACE MEDICINE
Space-traveling flatworms help scientists enhance understanding of regenerative health
Medford MA (SPX) Jun 12, 2017
Flatworms that spent five weeks aboard the International Space Station are helping researchers led by Tufts University scientists to study how an absence of normal gravity and geomagnetic fields can have anatomical, behavioral, and bacteriological consequences, according to a paper to be published June 13 in Regeneration. The research has implications for human and animal space travelers and for ... read more

Related Links
Human Spaceflight at ESA
Space Medicine Technology and Systems


Thanks for being here;
We need your help. The SpaceDaily news network continues to grow but revenues have never been harder to maintain.

With the rise of Ad Blockers, and Facebook - our traditional revenue sources via quality network advertising continues to decline. And unlike so many other news sites, we don't have a paywall - with those annoying usernames and passwords.

Our news coverage takes time and effort to publish 365 days a year.

If you find our news sites informative and useful then please consider becoming a regular supporter or for now make a one off contribution.
SpaceDaily Contributor
$5 Billed Once


credit card or paypal
SpaceDaily Monthly Supporter
$5 Billed Monthly


paypal only


Comment using your Disqus, Facebook, Google or Twitter login.

Share this article via these popular social media networks
del.icio.usdel.icio.us DiggDigg RedditReddit GoogleGoogle

SPACE MEDICINE
Plants to feed Earth and beyond

NASA Selects Army Surgeon for Astronaut Training

Orion Kicks Off Summer with Series of Safety Tests

Teachers doubt most students interested in subjects that promote space careers

SPACE MEDICINE
Launch Vehicle Rocket Engines

Kazakh man dies in fire after Russian rocket launch

NASA and Industry Team Successfully Test Orion Launch Abort Motor

India's Kerosene-Based Semi-Cryogenic Engine to Be Flight Test Ready by 2021

SPACE MEDICINE
NASA, French Space Agency Express Commitment to Joint Exploration

Martian Crater Provides Reminder of Apollo Moonwalk

MAVEN's top 10 discoveries at Mars

Opportunity collecting panoramas of high-value targets at Endeavour Crater

SPACE MEDICINE
China's cargo spacecraft completes second docking with space lab

China to launch four more probes before 2021

New broadcasting satellite fails to enter preset orbit

China launches remote-sensing micro-nano satellites

SPACE MEDICINE
Trudeau under pressure to reject China bid for satellite firm

Jumpstart goes into alliance with major aerospace and defence group ADS

Thomas Pesquet returns to Earth

Propose a course idea for the CU space minor

SPACE MEDICINE
Magnetic space tug could target dead satellites

Northrop Grumman tests flat-panel radar

Thales introduces ground variant of Sea Fire radar

From luxury hotels to slums, Haiti puts used soap to good use

SPACE MEDICINE
New Hunt for Earth-like Planets

NASA releases Kepler Survey Catalog with 100s of new exoplanet candidates

New branch in family tree of exoplanets discovered

Astronomers Explain Formation of Seven Exoplanets Around TRAPPIST-1

SPACE MEDICINE
King of the Gods: Jupiter Dated to Be Oldest Planet in the Solar System

New Horizons Team Digs into New Data on Next Flyby Target

A whole new Jupiter with first science results from Juno

First results from Juno show cyclones and massive magnetism









The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2024 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us.