CONNECTION

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CONNECTION
The

• Living Without Gravity
• Dr. Joan Vernikos
• October, 2005

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G Stands for Gravity

• G is one of the major forces of the Universe
• G is not just about apples falling off trees
• G Pulls in one direction only
• G Holds us firmly grounded
• G Determines how we look, function and weigh!

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Why Go into Space?

• Explore Outer and Inner Universe
• Test Human Limits
• Discover how Gravity affects us here on Earth

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Jim Bagian weightless
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There is no Up or Down
In Space, there is no Up or Down. You use your
eyes and surrounding cues (ceiling, floor,
lockers) to give you a sense of direction.
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Weightless Exercise- not quite the same
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Homecoming Blackout!
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Body Changes Without G

• During flight
• Dehydration
• Anemia
• Muscle loss/ resistance to insulin
• Bone loss
• Problems sleeping
• Suppressed immune system

• Upon Return
• Loss of balance and coordination
• Joints and soles hurt
• Drop in BP on standing
• Nocturnal diuresis
• Reduced stamina

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and probably many more

• Delayed wound healing
• Delayed bone fracture healing
• Altered nutrient/drug effectiveness
• Poor temperature regulation
• Skin allergies
• Vision changes
• Cognitive and emotional problems
• Gastrointestinal motility and absorption
• And many more we have not yet identified

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Do These Symptoms Remind You of Someone You Know?
Do These Symptoms Remind You of Someone You
Know?
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Do Astronauts Grow Old Faster in Space?

• They recover
• They do not die any younger than the rest of us
• Nor do they get any more of the diseases common
  amongst the elderly

NO!
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Answers came from Earth Bed-Rest as a
Simulation Model
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As the Volunteers Saw Themselves
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Are They Aging Faster?
Obviously Not!

• They recover once out of bed just like returning
  Astronauts.

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The Gravity Deprivation Syndrome

• Space, Bed Rest Aging all show the same
  Composite of Symptoms
• In Space --They result from living in the near
  absence of Gravity,
• In Bed rest -- the reduced effectiveness of
  gravity
• Aging -- using gravity less and less and less
  over many years --a lifetime

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the passing of time

• If changes of Space and Bed Rest are reversible
  then those that are associated with the passage
  of time should also be reversible
• Or at least prevented
• or delayed

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Summary

• Using Gravity should be a way of life
• Use Gravity and you will be ready when you most
  need it
• Ignore it at your peril
• Small Steps bring Big Changes
• Todays 70 is but 50!

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Use of Space

• Exposure to the ug of space, telescopes what
  takes years to develop on Earth.
• For the first time can provide insight into the
  development and progression of G- disorders, eg.
  Type II Diabetes, cachexia
• Helps understand when and why a change may become
  irreversible?
• Development
• Enables characterization of G-sensors leading to
  nanotechnology replacement parts,
• and many more.

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Health Benefits and Commercial Applications

• Stay healthy independent as long as you live
• Stay involved in society by working longer at
  what you want to do
• Reduce personal medical and care costs
• Reduce national medical cost burden
• Avoid nursing home
• Live longer?

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Health Benefits and Commercial Applications

• Therapeutic G-devices and their clinical
  applications
• G-enhancing behavior modification training
  industry
• G-enhancing fitness equipment and classes
• The Gravity Gym --hypergravity devices
• Thank you