Shubhanshu Shukla, other astronauts begin return journey to Earth after 18-day stay
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Time of India
9 hours ago
- Time of India
NASA reports shocking vision changes in astronauts after months in space with long-term eye damage risks
Source: NASA Spending extended periods in zero gravity is no small feat for the human body, and one of the most pressing concerns emerging from long-duration space missions is the impact on astronauts' vision health. As crew members spend six months or more aboard the International Space Station (ISS), NASA has documented a range of eye-related symptoms, now grouped under the condition called Space-Associated Neuro-Ocular Syndrome ( SANS ). Fluid shifts in microgravity drive the phenomenon and could present serious challenges for deep space missions like those to the Moon or Mars. Let's explore the condition, causes, research efforts, and potential solutions. NASA finds microgravity causes vision changes in space station astronauts When astronauts began staying in space for longer durations, subtle but troubling changes in their eyesight became increasingly common. Many noticed the sudden need for stronger reading glasses, while flight surgeons and researchers identified specific physiological changes such as: Swelling of the optic disc, where the optic nerve connects to the retina Flattening of the eyeball, altering its shape and impairing focus by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like AirSense 11 – Smart tech for deep sleep ResMed Buy Now Undo These symptoms are now collectively known as Space-Associated Neuro-Ocular Syndrome (SANS), and represent a critical health risk that could hinder long-term human space exploration. Source: NASA How fluid redistribution in zero gravity triggers SANS One of the primary factors contributing to SANS is the redistribution of fluids in the absence of gravity. On Earth, gravity pulls fluids toward the lower body. But in microgravity, blood and cerebrospinal fluid tend to move toward the head. This 'headward' shift increases pressure in the skull and behind the eyes, potentially leading to structural changes. To address this, NASA is currently testing the Thigh Cuff experiment, in which astronauts wear tight bands around their thighs to trap blood in the lower body. If successful, this could prevent or even reverse the upward fluid migration—and may also help patients on Earth dealing with similar issues due to bed rest or certain diseases. NASA uses advanced imaging to study vision changes in astronauts NASA and its global partners have conducted numerous pioneering studies to better understand SANS. Among the most important: The Fluid Shifts Study (2015–2020) offered direct evidence of changes in how blood drains from the brain in weightlessness. The Vision Impairment and Intracranial Pressure (VIIP) project investigated the link between fluid shifts, increased brain pressure, and SANS symptoms. Researchers used an array of high-tech tools to gather data, including: Comprehensive eye exams, with and without pupil dilation High-resolution retinal imaging MRI scans of the optic nerves Non-invasive measurements of retinal thickness Subjective insights were gathered through astronaut questionnaires, offering a fuller picture of the effects of spaceflight on vision. Source: NASA NASA advances diagnostic tools to monitor and manage SANS NASA and collaborating scientists are developing novel diagnostic technologies to better detect and manage SANS, including: Head-mounted virtual reality (VR) displays for multimodal vision assessments Optic nerve sheath diameter monitoring as a noninvasive diagnostic tool Additionally, there is a strong push for standardised imaging protocols across studies to ensure consistent results and faster development of countermeasures. A notable recovery case further highlighted possible solutions: one astronaut experienced significant improvement in SANS symptoms after six months in orbit. Recovery correlated with B vitamin supplementation and reduced CO₂ levels in the cabin—suggesting that nutrition and environmental controls could play a vital role in managing risk. How space travel impacts eyes at the genetic level Source: NASA Beyond fluid shifts, researchers are looking into how spaceflight alters eye tissue and even gene expression: Canadian teams using Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) found mechanical changes in astronauts' eyes akin to those seen in conditions like glaucoma. Japanese studies involving mice showed changes in DNA and gene activity in the optic nerve and retina after spaceflight. Interestingly, early findings suggest that artificial gravity might help mitigate these effects. These revelations underscore how extended exposure to space can impact not only organ systems but also molecular biology—making it imperative to explore both physical and genetic countermeasures. SANS poses risk to astronaut vision Ongoing research into SANS is crucial, not just for astronaut safety on the ISS but for future exploration missions to the Moon, Mars, and beyond. Moreover, these investigations may lead to medical breakthroughs here on Earth—especially for patients suffering from conditions involving fluid imbalances and ocular pressure disorders. NASA's work to unravel the causes of SANS and develop effective treatments is a vivid reminder that the challenges of space travel often illuminate new frontiers in human biology and healthcare innovation. Also Read | NASA alert! 95-foot asteroid 2025 ME92 to fly past Earth on July 31 at 11,000 mph; should we be worried
India Today
a day ago
- India Today
Astronauts back from space reveal shocking eye problems, Nasa on alert
Space travel is not easy, especially if astronauts are spending over six months in zero gravity. Nasa is working on alarming vision issues being reported by astronauts on long-duration Space Station astronauts began spending six months or longer aboard the International Space Station, subtle but concerning changes in their eyesight became impossible to crew members discovered they suddenly needed stronger reading glasses, and medical teams noted swelling of the optic disc (where the optic nerve enters the retina) and a subtle flattening of the This constellation of symptoms, now known as Space-Associated Neuro-Ocular Syndrome (SANS), represents one of the most significant health challenges for extended space and the Shift of Bodily FluidsAt the heart of the phenomenon is zero gravity. Without the pull of Earth's gravity, blood and cerebrospinal fluid tend to accumulate in the upper body and head. Mounting evidence suggests these 'headward' fluid shifts play a key role in SANS, potentially increasing pressure in the brain and affecting the active investigation, known as the Thigh Cuff experiment, is exploring whether tight cuffs around the legs can prevent or reverse this process by trapping blood in the lower body. If successful, this solution could protect astronauts on future lunar and Mars missions, and may also help patients on Earth who suffer from similar fluid distribution issues due to disease or long-term bed rest.'Pioneering Studies and New DiagnosticsBetween 2015 and 2020, the landmark Fluid Shifts study offered the first direct evidence of altered blood drainage from the brain in Vision Impairment and Intracranial Pressure (VIIP) project further probed the relationship between fluid shifts, increased brain pressure, and the development of SANS. Researchers employed a battery of advanced techniques, including:Comprehensive eye exams (with and without pupil dilation)High-resolution retinal imagingNoninvasive measures of retinal thicknessMRI scans of the eyes and optic nervesResults from hundreds of astronauts were also collected through detailed questionnaires, providing essential context for the objective Treatments Novel technologies are changing the way SANS is detected and possibly managed. Researchers are developing a head-mounted virtual reality display for multimodal, noninvasive assessment, and optic nerve sheath diameter measurements have emerged as a promising diagnostic are also growing for standardised imaging and study protocols, which could streamline future research and treatment efforts. In a particularly notable case, one astronaut who developed unusually severe SANS symptoms after six months in space experienced marked recovery coincided with B vitamin supplementation and a reduction in cabin carbon dioxide following crew rotations, suggesting potential roles for targeted nutrition and habitat environment in risk Structure, Genetics, and Artificial GravityadvertisementCanadian studies using Optical Coherence Tomography have shown that long space missions can change the mechanical properties of eye tissues, similar to what's seen in age-related eye conditions like research by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency found DNA and gene expression changes in the optic nerve and retina of mice after spaceflight, with early evidence that artificial gravity could help counteract these investigations are critical, not only for safeguarding crew on the ISS but also for future missions to the Moon, Mars, and beyond, and may unlock new treatments for terrestrial diseases marked by fluid shifts and eye changes.- EndsTrending Reel
Time of India
3 days ago
- Time of India
Rare interstellar comet spotted zooming through our solar system, only the 3rd ever seen
A mysterious visitor from another star system is currently flying through our cosmic neighborhood , and scientists are keeping a close eye on it. The recently discovered comet is unlike anything we have seen before. The first detection of 3I/ATLAS was made on July 1 by the Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System, or ATLAS. According to a statement from the National Science Foundation (NSF) NOIRLab, which runs the International Gemini Observatory, it is only the third known interstellar object, indicating it didn't originate in our solar system, as per a report by Space. Explore courses from Top Institutes in Select a Course Category While traveling toward the inner solar system, the interstellar visitor 3I/ATLAS was spotted by astronomers in a stunning new image. Only three interstellar objects have been found to reach our solar system, after 1I'Oumuamua in 2017 and 2I/Borisov in 2019. How close will it get to Earth and the Sun? Live Events The newly discovered comet was photographed by the Gemini North telescope in Hawai'i as it passed through our cosmic neighborhood, some 290 million miles (465 million kilometers) away from Earth. The Gemini North telescope captured this massive 12-mile-wide comet, providing a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to study material from beyond our star. ALSO READ: Wicked 2 just made a massive change to this character, and fans might actually love it On October 30, 3I/ATLAS will cross within 130 million miles (210 million km), or barely inside the orbit of Mars, of the sun. No threat to Earth will come from 3I/ATLAS, which will pass within 170 million miles (270 million km) of Earth in December. "This interstellar wanderer has been critically characterized early thanks to the International Gemini Observatory's sensitivity and scheduling agility," said Martin Still, NSF program director for the International Gemini Observatory. "We look forward to a bounty of new data and insights as this object warms itself on sunlight before continuing its cold, dark journey between the stars." What makes 3I/ATLAS different from other comets? The relics of distant star systems that have been blasted into space are known as interstellar objects, such as 3I/ATLAS. According to the statement, they provide important information about the components that were present when and where other planetary systems in the universe formed, including their chemical composition, as per a report by Space. Although it is thought that other objects of this kind frequently go through our solar system, they are very challenging to photograph. ALSO READ : 12,000 years of art? Ancient Mongolian elk carvings morph into mysterious wolf symbols However, 3I/ATLAS is a better target for research because it is significantly larger than earlier interstellar objects, with an estimated diameter of 12 miles (20 km). The comet has a compact coma, which is the cloud of gas and dust around its icy core, according to the latest photos taken by the Gemini North observatory . According to other observations, it might be the oldest comet ever found, possibly older than our solar system and it originates from the Milky Way's outer thick disk. Why are scientists racing to study it now? This will be 3I/ATLAS's only visit to our solar system because of its extremely eccentric orbit, which prevents it from making a full orbit around the sun. Therefore, during the comet's brief visit before it departs for interstellar space, astronomers from all over the world are observing it with a variety of telescopes. FAQs Why is 3I/ATLAS such a big deal? It's only the third interstellar object ever discovered, and it's the largest by far. Will it return or hit Earth? No. It will pass by safely and not return; it is a one-time visitor.
