BRENT: The launch of the Russian Soyuz spacecraft Friday was of particular interest to some UC San Diego researchers studying the effects of long-term space travel on humans.
“We have been preparing for the launch for over a year, so this is a very exciting time for us,” said Prof. Brinda Rana, of UCSD’s School of Medicine.
The researchers held a launch-watching party on campus, celebrating with borscht, catered from the Pomegranate Russian Restaurant, Champagne and MoonPies.
Rana is a key player in two of 10 health studies that NASA commissioned to co-monitor American Astronaut Scott Kelly in space and his identical twin brother, retired astronaut Mark Kelly, on the ground.
Mark, who completed four missions and a total of 54 days in space, is the husband of former Congresswoman Gabby Giffords, who suffered a traumatic brain injury when she was nearly assassinated in 2011.
Rana is leading a study to determine how long-term space flight affects fluid pressure in the brain and its impact on vision during and after space travel.
She explains that gravity pulls body fluids downward on Earth, but in space, the fluids flow up toward the head, with the potential to cause pressure on the brain and permanent ocular changes
UCSD’s study of the body’s fluid regulation and proteins involved in space flight adaptation “may shed light on potential new treatments for traumatic brain injury, glaucoma and ‘water on the brain,’” Rana said. Her UCSD co-investigators are Hemal Patel, Alan Hargens and Brandon Macias.
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