Shux, crew, study microalgae, cancer, cognition & more
Tired of too many ads? go ad free now
The experiments being carried out by Shux and other crew members are part of the more than 60 scientific investigations from 31 countries, including India, the US, Poland, Hungary, Brazil, Nigeria, and Saudi Arabia. After all, Ax-4 is the most research-intensive private mission to the ISS to date.
Shux, who had kicked off his research activity with a muscle loss study the previous day, was hard at work on a project that's microscopic in size but potentially massive in impact.
He deployed sample bags and imaging tools for a space microalgae experiment, studying how these tiny organisms fare in orbit.
Rich in nutrients and capable of recycling carbon dioxide, microalgae could become a key part of long-duration space missions — a source of food, oxygen and life support rolled into one. He was also part of, along with other AX-4 crew, the 'Neuro Motion VR' study, which uses virtual reality headsets and brain-monitoring technology (fNIRS) to observe how astronauts' cognitive and motor functions respond to spaceflight.
'Alongside that, they collected data for 'Telemetric Health AI', a project that merges biometric tracking with AI analytics to better understand how spaceflight affects the cardiovascular and balance systems. These studies aren't just academic. They're building the foundations for safe, extended human missions into deep space,' Axiom Space said.
Commander Peggy Whitson, a seasoned astronaut on her fourth spaceflight, devoted much of the day to the Cancer in LEO (low-Earth orbit) investigation.
Tired of too many ads? go ad free now
Working with the Sanford Stem Cell Institute, she captured imaging samples of cancer cells exposed to microgravity. The stress of space may change the way these cells behave, potentially offering clues to tackling aggressive, metastatic cancers back on Earth.
Her camera didn't stop there. Whitson also photographed student-designed science experiments and artwork for the Saudi Space Agency's Microgravity Challenge — a competition that drew over 80,000 entries from young innovators across the Arab world.
With submissions ranging from sustainable farming ideas to space-inspired art, it's an example of how missions like Ax-4 can inspire the next generation of scientists, engineers and dreamers.
Mission specialist Suave (Slawosz Uznanski) focused his attention on the microfluidic design experiment to observe how fluids behave in low gravity. The end goal? Developing microfluidic devices that test drug stability and quality — a vital step toward bringing autonomous health care to future space travellers.
And yet, research isn't the only focus. The crew also reached out to Earth. Tibor Kapu shared a live conversation with Hungarian PM Viktor Orbán, while Whitson and Suave spoke with Axiom Space Chief Scientist Dr Lucie Low about protecting astronauts from space radiation — a challenge no future mission can ignore.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Deccan Herald
an hour ago
- Deccan Herald
Shubhanshu Shukla studies muscle loss in microgravity on board ISS
Shukla is part of the Axiom-4 private space mission to the ISS as part of a joint ISRO-NASA initiative and docked at the orbital laboratory on Thursday last week along with three other astronauts.
India Today
an hour ago
- India Today
Shubhanshu Shukla's space mission could rewrite the rules of diabetes care. Here's how
Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla is currently part of a historic mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS), participating in over 60 scientific experiments as part of the Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4). Among them is a study that could reshape how we understand and manage diabetes: not just in space, but also on years, people with insulin-dependent diabetes have been excluded from space missions because of the challenges of managing blood sugar levels in a zero-gravity environment. The Ax-4 mission is now rethinking that 'SUITE RIDE' PROJECT: A STEP TOWARD INCLUSION A major highlight of the Ax-4 mission is a research project called Suite Ride, designed to study how glucose metabolism is affected by ultimate goal is to make it safe for people with diabetes to live and work in space."Suite Ride is investigating how the space environment affects glucose metabolism in the human body. This can enhance our understanding of diabetes and other metabolic diseases that impact blood sugar regulation," Dr. Mohammad Fityan, Clinical Lead for the Suite Ride project (Ax-4) from Burjeel Holdings, Chief Medical Officer, Burjeel Medical City, told Dr. Mohammad Fityan (right), Clinical Lead of the Burjeel–Ax-4 Space Health Research, with Gavin D'Elia (L), Global Head Of Pharma at Axiom Space and Dr. Lucie Low, Chief Scientist for Axiom Space at Kennedy Space Center. advertisementBurjeel Holdings, the research collaborator behind the project, partnered with Axiom Space to explore how Continuous Glucose Monitors (CGMs) and insulin fare in space. These tools are already revolutionising diabetes care on SPACE IS A GAME-CHANGER FOR DIABETES RESEARCHMicrogravity provides an environment that allows scientists to study the body without the usual gravitational pressures. This makes it possible to observe glucose metabolism in an entirely new light."Microgravity allows us to study metabolism without the influence of gravity. Changes in muscle mass, fluid distribution, and circadian rhythm offer new insights into glucose metabolism and insulin sensitivity. This may lead to the identification of novel pathways and early biomarkers for insulin resistance," said Dr. studying healthy individuals in space, scientists can create a foundation for understanding how diabetes behaves in such conditions, an essential step toward future space travel for those with chronic THE STUDY WORKS ABOARD ISSDuring the two-week mission, one or more astronauts are wearing CGMs for the entire duration. These devices continuously monitor blood glucose levels and send data back to Earth. The Ax-4 crew members aboard the International Space Station. (Photo: Nasa) "One or more astronauts are wearing CGMs for the entire duration of the mission. Readings are continuously monitored, and data is being collected. Insulin pens were sent on the flight, but astronauts are not using them. We are testing the viability and stability of insulin in the space environment. Point-of-care blood samples are also being taken during the mission to validate glucose levels. Lancets, needles, and blood glucose analyzers (i-STAT) were provided by Burjeel Holdings," said Dr. BARRIERS FOR DIABETICS IN SPACEDr. Fityan explained the current barriers that keep people with diabetes from going to space:Glucose variability and hypoglycemia can be life-threatening in space, where immediate medical help isn't challenges due to storage temperatures, fluid shifts, and inconsistent absorption in need for extremely accurate glucose control, which is hard to maintain on long Ax-4 mission is helping scientists understand how healthy metabolism behaves in microgravity and whether CGMs can be safely used by astronauts with diabetes in future CARE ON EARTHThe findings from Ax-4 are not just for future astronauts. They could also benefit people on Earth, especially in remote or underserved areas. advertisementThis study could lead to:Remote monitoring platforms for real-time metabolic glucose monitors for extreme or low-resource predictive models for personal diabetes drug targets to improve insulin sensitivity."This research helps expand eligibility for spaceflight, not by lowering standards, but by creating technologies and protocols that enable safe participation for individuals with chronic conditions, such as insulin-dependent diabetes," Dr. Fityan told NEXT?Once the mission returns, researchers will analyse the data to determine the next steps."We hope this research opens the door to future studies, including sending the first astronaut with diabetes into space and exploring other metabolic and chronic conditions," said Dr. Ax-4 mission, with Shubhanshu Shukla on board, could mark a historic event, one where space is accessible even for those managing chronic conditions like diabetes, and where the lessons from above help save lives back on Earth.- EndsTune InMust Watch
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
an hour ago
- Business Standard
Crew members aboard International Space Station resume space science work
The 11 crew members aboard the International Space Station, representing Expedition 73 and Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4), resumed their space science duties on Tuesday. Their research focused on various areas, including brain circulation, the observation of cancer cells, and the study of biotechnology, among other investigations, as per a statement by NASA. Station Commander Takuya Onishi, from the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), attached sensors to his neck and chest to measure how blood flows from the brain to the heart. Doctors will review the data to understand how blood circulation adapts to weightlessness. Meanwhile, Ax-4 crewmates Peggy Whitson and Tibor Kapu also studied cerebral circulation for another experiment designed for their mission. Whitson assisted Kapu, who wore a cap, using a Doppler ultrasound to image blood flow in his cerebral artery while a cuff measured his blood pressure. Doctors will use the results to help protect the crew's visual processing and perception in microgravity. Whitson later peered inside a fluorescence microscope at cancer cells to learn how to detect and prevent cancer earlier, the statement read. NASA Flight Engineers Anne McClain and Nichole Ayers spent a portion of their shift assisting the Ax-4 crew on Tuesday. McClain helped the private astronauts operate the research hardware throughout the orbital lab and guided their science activities. Ayers set up a microscope in the Destiny laboratory module that Ax-4 crew member Shubhanshu Shukla used to view how tardigrades, tiny aquatic animals, survive numerous harsh climates, including microgravity. Ax-4 astronaut Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski explored the use of nanomaterials in wearable devices that monitor crew health. NASA Flight Engineer Jonny Kim began his shift alongside Onishi by collecting blood samples, processing them in a centrifuge, and stowing the specimens in a science freezer for preservation. Kim later reorganised the hardware inside the Harmony module's maintenance work area and then installed ventilation system components inside the Quest airlock, as per the statement. The uncrewed, trash-packed Progress 90 cargo craft ended its stay at the orbital outpost today, undocking from the Poisk module at 2:42 pm (local time). It will reenter Earth's atmosphere for a fiery, but safe demise above the South Pacific Ocean, completing a seven-month space delivery mission, NASA stated. Waiting to replace the spacecraft is the Progress 92 cargo craft standing at the launch pad at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. The Progress 92 is counting down to its launch at 3:32 pm (local time) on Thursday. It will arrive at the orbital lab on Saturday and dock with Poisk at 5:27 pm (local time), delivering approximately three thousand pounds of food, fuel, and supplies for the orbiting lab residents. Roscosmos Flight Engineers Sergey Ryzhikov and Alexey Zubritskiy began their day training on the telerobotically operated rendezvous unit, or TORU, for Saturday's approach and rendezvous of the Progress 92. Ryzhikov then set up hardware to capture hyperspectral imagery of landmarks in Mexico and South America. Zubritskiy photographed the Progress 90 as it departed the station. Roscosmos Flight Engineer Kirill Peskov checked a laptop computer used for European robotic arm operations, then completed a 24-hour session wearing sensors that measured his heart activity and blood pressure, the statement said.
