Latest news with #SpaceStation
Time of India
2 days ago
- Health
- 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
Stuff.tv
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Stuff.tv
Stuff Meets… HTC VIVE's Thomas Dexmier on Lego Technic, moving to Australia on a whim and XR exploration…
He was Involved in XR before the first HTC VIVE was even launched, Thomas Dexmier, the Vice-President of Sales and Marketing for HTC VIVE in EMEA, has a very busy career in tech. What makes him tick? We learn about his techy childhood, moving to the other side of the world on a whim and how he recently defended the fortress of Carcassonne, in 1304… My role is a bit of everything. One of the great things about HTC is that we are pretty open and flat-structured. My day-to-day role is head of the EMEA region with a focus on sales and marketing, but I'm an engineer by trade so I'm involved in product development as well. I also love engaging with the media and speaking at events. So it's quite a large remit and every day is different. As a kid I was obsessed with Lego Technic. I always loved physics and building little things. Then I discovered computing thanks to my dad. He wa an engineer, which I thought was a very cool name for a job so I thought I would be an engineer too. He worked with the original Apple Macintosh SE, which he brought home a couple of times. They called it portable but he couldn't even carry it! He also came home with a cellphone in the early '90s, and once my sister and I got an Amstrad CPC 6128 for Christmas. We used to play Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and The Simpsons. The HTC Vive Focus 3 VR headset is literally soaring…in space. At the back end of 2023, we launched VR headsets on the International Space Station. The Vive Focus 3 has been used by Danish astronauts for an experiment into how VR can improve their mental health. It's a very noble cause. I moved to Australia on a whim. In 2010 my wife and I gave up everything we had in Paris, packed, bought return tickets to Sydney… and never used the return. From the minute I set foot on Aussie ground, our life was changing for the better and before I knew it an employer gave me a chance. That was HTC, who were the up-and-coming smartphone brand. We got work visas, permanent residency, first child, citizenship, second child… I was given the chance to move to tech account management, product marketing, head of sales and then country manager. I'll never forget the chance HTC gave me. It was a bit of a gamble for them, hiring this French guy who had no history in the country and could barely speak English. Having proper conversations with people coming from all around the world with very thick accents was like, 'Wow, what is this place?' This is a life that we have created for ourselves and we are just so proud of it. This is who I am now – my dual cultural background is important. Then in 2023 an opportunity came up to take on bigger responsibilities in Europe. It was the right time for us, the end of a cycle with kids growing up and stars aligning for us to come closer to our European heritage; this is why I'm now in Bordeaux. All industries are looking into extended reality. We're getting to a point now where, if people can imagine something, it can be built in VR – we've seen this across healthcare, defence, manufacturing, gaming, arts, culture, education, you name it. I think one of the biggest breakthroughs was when one of our partners in France, called Excurio, managed to have 120 active users at the same time, freely roaming in a 600m2 space, interacting. Arts and culture with immersive tech is one of my favourite things. Recently I was defending the fortress of Carcassonne… in 1304. I'm very happy to report that we successfully saved the town, and then I took a short journey in a taxi to rediscover the lost gardens of the Palace of Versailles. The power of XR in this case is to be able to reproduce parts of the gardens that don't exist any more, based on archives. There's room for innovation in foldable phones. Before having kids I used to buy all sorts of tech, but now I have to be a bit wiser and set a good example, so I focus on things that are important to me. So, a foldable phone… I was keeping my eye on the Samsungs and I waited for the Z Fold5; now I don't think I'll ever go back. For both productivity and personal stuff it's fantastic. I have a lot of fun with it. I got a Samsung Galaxy Watch7 to minimise phone time at the weekends. I got my first smartwatch for Christmas last year – I'd had a Fitbit before but was not overly impressed. I use the watch for fitness and keeping up with all the happenings in my social sphere, specifically on weekends, without having to pull out my phone all the time – we already do that way too much. I drive a Toyota RAV4 Hybrid. Coming from the other side of the planet, where Japanese hybrid cars have had such success over the years, I'm proud to fly the flag for Asian hybrids in Europe. It's got everything we need and is decently priced. If I had money to spend, I'd buy the Renault 5 E-Tech. Good memories… but I don't need it! My hobbies have to help me I go kitesurfing in summer and snowboarding in winter. You can't do these things while looking at your watch, texting or emailing, because you need so much focus. I also love a good DIY project, from gardening to fixing and building stuff with my hands. I'd love to be a carpenter in a carpenter in a different life. Visit HTC VIVE here.
New Indian Express
3 days ago
- Business
- New Indian Express
'World witnessed India's military might': PM on Op Sindoor ahead of Parliament session
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said the Monsoon session of Parliament will showcase pride and national achievement, highlighting India's strides in defence, economy, and social welfare. Addressing the media ahead of the session, PM Modi pointed to India's success in Operation Sindoor, saying the military operation demonstrated a 'new form of Made in India military power' to the world. 'The houses of the masters of terrorists were razed to the ground within 22 minutes. The world is seeing the strength of India's military resolve,' he said, calling the campaign a symbol of 100% mission success. He also noted India's recent landmark achievement in space, referencing the country's first human step on the International Space Station, calling it another point of national pride. On the domestic front, Modi said India had shed its past tag of being part of the 'Fragile Five' economies and was now on track to becoming the third-largest economy in the world. 'In 2014, India was ranked 10th globally. Today, it is moving rapidly towards the third position,' he said. The Prime Minister highlighted the transformation of internal security as well. 'Our forces, with new confidence and resolve, are pushing back naxalism. The red corridors are now turning into green growth zones,' he said, asserting that the Indian Constitution is triumphing over extremism. On inflation, PM Modi said the country had made significant progress since 2014. 'There was a time when inflation was in double digits. Today, it's around 2%. This has brought great relief to ordinary citizens,' he noted, adding that 25 crore people have come out of poverty, a fact appreciated by global institutions. He also spoke about the symbolic significance of the monsoon season. 'Monsoon is a symbol of innovation and new creation. It brings new energy to agriculture and to the country's economy, especially the rural and household sectors,' he said. Calling it a 'session of celebration and victory', PM Modi said peace and progress had defined the past decade and reiterated the government's commitment to continue delivering results across sectors.
India Today
4 days ago
- Science
- India Today
Watch: India's Shubhanshu Shukla floating in Space Station is all things cool
India's first astronaut aboard the International Space Station (ISS), Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, continues to capture the nation's imagination even after returning to time with a video showing him 'floating' with remarkable calm in the ISS's zero-gravity video, shared on social media several days into his 18-day mission, depicts Shukla delicately practising the most basic—yet arguably most difficult—skill in orbit: staying absolutely still in 'From the time we reached the ISS, we were quite busy chasing the timeline and completing our tasks and experiments. It is a bit challenging initially as you are learning to move in microgravity and also getting to know the station,' Shukla explained. The now-popular clip was filmed after Shukla gained confidence moving about the station—a skill that requires far more control than most a tiny movement, he shared, sets an astronaut drifting in unexpected directions, underscoring the unique challenges of orbital efforts to simply 'be still'—and his admission that 'any small disturbance can move your body in space'—have resonated widely online, drawing comparisons to the difficulty of stilling the mind in today's fast-paced video also highlights the human side of ISS missions, balancing intensive scientific research with moments of reflection and his stay aboard the ISS as part of the Axiom-4 mission, Shukla conducted multiple microgravity experiments developed by Indian scientists and participated in educational outreach, including sharing such candid mission marks a historic leap for India's human spaceflight ambitions, serving as both a scientific milestone and a powerful source of inspiration back home.- EndsTune InTrending Reel IN THIS STORY#Shubhanshu Shukla
Canada News.Net
6 days ago
- Science
- Canada News.Net
Axiom-4 crew splashes down off U.S. coast after ISS mission
LOS ANGELES, United States: A multinational crew of astronauts, including the first space travelers from India, Poland, and Hungary to reach the International Space Station (ISS), has returned safely to Earth, splashing down in the Pacific Ocean aboard a SpaceX capsule. The reentry marked the end of the Axiom-4 mission, the fourth privately funded spaceflight to the ISS organized by Texas-based Axiom Space in partnership with SpaceX. The capsule, dubbed Grace, landed off the coast of San Diego, California, around 2:30 a.m. PDT following a fiery descent through Earth's atmosphere. Leading the mission was Peggy Whitson, a retired NASA astronaut and the U.S. agency's first female chief astronaut. Whitson, now with Axiom, extended her national record to 695 days in space across five missions. "We're happy to be back," Whitson radioed to mission control moments after splashdown. Joining her were Shubhanshu Shukla of India, Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski of Poland, and Tibor Kapu of Hungary — representing their respective countries' first-ever ISS government missions. During their 18-day stay, the astronauts conducted over 60 microgravity experiments and brought back a cache of scientific samples for Earth-based analysis. For India, the mission is seen as a stepping stone toward the launch of its Gaganyaan crewed spacecraft, expected in 2027. Poland's astronaut flew under the European Space Agency, while Hungary's participant was part of the Hungarian to Orbit (HUNOR) program. Axiom's fourth mission builds on its business model of launching astronauts sponsored by foreign governments and private clients. The company is also working to develop a commercial space station that could eventually replace the aging ISS by 2030.
