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Toronto Star
20 hours ago
- Health
- Toronto Star
How studying what space travel does to astronauts' health is leading to innovations on Earth
When astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore finally splashed down in the Gulf of Mexico following a nine month space odyssey — what was initially meant to be a mere eight-day test flight — crews had to carry out their atrophied bodies from the SpaceX capsule and onto stretchers. It's become a common procedure for astronauts returning from extended travels in space, who often experience intense nausea and difficulty walking on re-entry to Earth, experts said. Our bodies, evolved over hundreds of millennia to adapt to Earth's environments, are not designed to survive in the cosmos. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW Canada Space debris is cluttering our orbit. Can falling space junk hit a plane? A new paper by University of British Columbia researchers paints a stark picture of the risks of space debris on commercial flights. Canada Space debris is cluttering our orbit. Can falling space junk hit a plane? A new paper by University of British Columbia researchers paints a stark picture of the risks of space debris on commercial flights. 'Space as a whole is an extreme environment. And it can be very disabling, even to the fittest individual,' said Dr. Farhan Asrar, associate dean at Toronto Metropolitan University's School of Medicine and a global faculty member at International Space University. As researchers examine deep space travel, longer voyages and even the colonization of other planets, the question of how we can keep humans healthy in space has become a vital one. A new commentary by Asrar, published in Nature Monday, delves into the key challenges with space medicine — as well as the myriad of benefits the endeavour has had on Earthbound health care. What space travel does to the human body Space travel can affect us in numerous, often surprising ways. Away from the protection of Earth's ozone layer, the human body will be bombarded by extreme levels of radiation. It's estimated that astronauts on their way to Mars will experience what amounts to a year's worth of radiation on Earth every day of their months-long voyage. This can significantly raise one's risk of cancer, cardiovascular diseases and more, Asrar said. 'And now, people are focusing on looking at deep space voyages — the radiation tends to be even higher there.' Then there's the lack of gravity. Our bones, muscles and heart are calibrated to strain against this fundamental force; in its absence, these systems can quickly start breaking from disuse, explained Mathieu Caron, director of astronauts, life sciences and space medicine at the Canadian Space Agency. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW Life Opinion Leanne Delap: Katy Perry and Lauren Sánchez jet off on a controversial trip to space. Why their 'glam' getaway isn't a giant leap for womankind The billionaire-funded Blue Origin expedition lifts off with a celebrity-stacked, all-women crew today. Life Opinion Leanne Delap: Katy Perry and Lauren Sánchez jet off on a controversial trip to space. Why their 'glam' getaway isn't a giant leap for womankind The billionaire-funded Blue Origin expedition lifts off with a celebrity-stacked, all-women crew today. The effects are similar to accelerated ageing: 'Six months in space can correspond to about ten or sometimes even 20 years of aging on the ground,' Caron, who is not affiliated with Asrar's paper, said. 'Fortunately for the astronauts, when they come back down on Earth, they can actually recover a lot of what they've lost.' Time spent in microgravity, combined with the radiation exposure, can ravage our bodies and lead to losses in bone density, vision changes due to fluid shifts in the eyes or even organ damage, Asrar's paper reads. In some cases, the damage was lasting, he said — some astronauts had to start wearing glasses or reported bone fractures after returning to Earth. On top of all the physical hurdles, astronauts must also contend with the psychological toll of what may be months spent in a cramped, dangerous and stressful environment, away from loved ones, he continued. 'On Earth, if someone has a health issue, you can immediately call an ambulance or go to the ER,' Asrar said. 'But in space, obviously, it just makes the health care delivery so much more challenging.' How do astronauts stay healthy in space? Astronauts undergo a great deal of preparation both before, during and after their space trips to ensure their health — including health checks and training before flight, regular physical conditioning while in space and weeks of physical therapy and rehabilitation after re-entry to Earth. But for trips into deep space, these may not be enough. Asrar's paper defined four 'key strands' of space medicine critical for mission success, as well as human health on Earth: Remote health care, mental health, food production and basic human biology. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW Astronauts depend on telemedicine to monitor and support their health, Asrar writes. But long space voyages can disrupt this process; it can take 20 minutes each way for astronauts on Mars to communicate with doctors on Earth — much too long when dealing with emergencies like a heart attack, for example. The development of artificial intelligence health systems may provide a solution. But there are still more issues to contend with; many ingredients in medications degrade faster as a result of the intense radiation, for example, and resupplying crucial medicines in deep space is 'infeasible,' Asrar's paper reads. Canada 'He had the weight of Canada on his shoulders': An oral history of Canada's first trip to space, 40 years later Marc Garneau flew aboard the Space Shuttle Challenger on Oct. 5, 1984, becoming the first Canadian in space. This is the story of that flight, Canada 'He had the weight of Canada on his shoulders': An oral history of Canada's first trip to space, 40 years later Marc Garneau flew aboard the Space Shuttle Challenger on Oct. 5, 1984, becoming the first Canadian in space. This is the story of that flight, Then there's the challenge of maintaining mental health amid the fatigue, stress and isolation of space travel. While further research is needed on this front, advancements are being made, from lighting systems meant to maintain more conventional circadian rhythms to virtual-reality headsets. It could take seven to ten months to travel to space — meaning spacefarers would need to produce their own food. On this front, a number of new systems that require few resources to grow fruits and veggies in harsh environments are being developed. Finally, Asrar and Caron note there is still much unknown about how extended space trips will affect our biology. 'The International Space Station is really close, relatively speaking, to the Earth,' Caron said. 'But if we venture towards the moon, that's about a thousand times further away. Mars is a million times farther away. We really, absolutely need to know what happens to the human body before we reach those destinations.' ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW How space health care is leading new innovations on Earth Each of the four strands identified by Asrar come with significant benefits for health care on Earth. For example, advancements in telemedicine have helped deliver crucial care to members of remote communities and have skyrocketed in use during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, Asrar said. Similarly, optimizations in the dosage and storage of drugs may help improve medications on Earth, his paper read. Meanwhile, insights into maintaining mental health in isolation have proven invaluable in resolving Earthbound crises — Asrar's paper noted that, in 2010, the Chilean government consulted NASA when 33 Chilean miners were trapped underground. World NASA astronauts step outside space station to perform the 5th all-female spacewalk CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — An astronaut who missed out on the first all-female spacewalk because of a spacesuit sizing issue got her chance s… World NASA astronauts step outside space station to perform the 5th all-female spacewalk CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — An astronaut who missed out on the first all-female spacewalk because of a spacesuit sizing issue got her chance s… Improving food production can help feed isolated communities struggling with food insecurity; if we can grow veggies in the void of space, we can grow them in the harsh environment of northern Canada, Asrar said. Finally, insights into how human biology unravels in space can lead to a better understanding of our own bodies. Even the struggle to keep astronauts physically fit in space has translated into sports medicine and athletics on Earth, he said. 'There's a number of areas where I would say that space has been playing a role — especially when we look at things that are being developed for deep space missions — that would be relevant for us here on Earth,' Asrar concluded.
National Post
6 days ago
- General
- National Post
FIRST READING: Restored John A. Macdonald statue could be beginning of the end for history purge
Article content Ryerson University renamed itself as Toronto Metropolitan University in 2022, over connections to the Indian Residential School system. Article content Although Egerton Ryerson was long dead before the establishment of the first Indian residential school, he had advocated a program of Indigenous children being taught 'industry and sobriety' at boarding schools located far from their home communities. Article content Indian residential schools have also largely characterized the push to remove symbols of Sir John A. Macdonald. Although Macdonald was the singular figure who stitched together Canada's current form, his record on Indigenous affairs was controversial even in his own time. Article content The renaming trend has slowed to a trickle of late, particularly amidst a wave off flag-waving patriotism sparked by U.S. President Donald Trump's trade war against Canada, and repeated annexation threats. An ongoing Toronto District School Board renaming push remains one of the only such programs underway at a governmental level. Article content But the announced unboxing of Ontario Legislative Assembly's Macdonald statue represents one of the first times that a government will be reversing a sanction imposed against a Canadian historical symbol over the past five years. Article content It occurs amid a recent debate in Wilmot, Ont., to similarly restore a Macdonald statue that was placed into storage after being splashed with red paint in 2020. Beginning last year, the community began consultations on a possible re-installation of the statue, which depicts Macdonald holding two chairs, a symbol of his bringing together of rival camps in the negotiations that created Canada. Article content Tuesday's speech from the throne, read by King Charles III, is actually one of the few ways to divine what the Carney government intends to do, since they've dispensed with the usual indicators such as a budget or specific mandate letters. Article content It may also be notable for what it didn't contain: Article content Woke stuff. As noted by National Post's John Ivison, the speech is entirely free of the culture war beats that defined so much of the Trudeau era. As recently as 2021, the Speech from the Throne was laden with lines like 'fighting systemic racism, sexism, discrimination, misconduct and abuse, including in our core institutions will remain a priority.' Any mention whatsoever of oil and gas. Or pipelines, for that matter. All it does is repeat a Liberal campaign pledge to make Canada the 'world's leading energy superpower in both clean and conventional energy.' Article content Article content Article content It was only six months ago that the Liberal Party was polling at historic lows due in large part to the refusal of then prime minister Justin Trudeau to resign. As was frequently noted at the time, the Liberals could have easily swapped out their unpopular leader much earlier if only they'd bothered to sign on to the Reform Act, a piece of legislation that gives the caucus enhanced powers to trigger a leadership review. With the start of a new Parliament, the Liberals had a fresh opportunity to subscribe to the terms of the Reform Act and avoid any future debacles with leaders who refuse to leave. They decided 'no.' A source told National Post that a 'large majority' Liberal MPs voted against holding Prime Minister Mark Carney to the terms of the Reform Act. Article content Article content Article content
Hamilton Spectator
6 days ago
- Business
- Hamilton Spectator
Ontario's record-setting mortgage delinquencies ‘enormously concerning'
More Ontarians are missing mortgage payments than at any time since Equifax started tracking them in 2012, according to new data from the credit agency. 'Delinquencies are really still rising on the mortgage side,' said Rebecca Oakes, vice-president of advanced analytics at Equifax Canada. 'We're still very concerned about those.' Ontario's 90-plus day mortgage delinquency rate rose 71.5 per cent since the first quarter of 2024, to 0.24 per cent from 0.14 per cent. Alison Kemper, an associate professor at Toronto Metropolitan University's Ted Rogers School of Management, called this 'enormously concerning.' There's not enough missing middle housing in between larger detached homes and small condo units, prices are still very high, and what is being build is aimed at investors, she added. So people end up taking on huge debts to find a decent place to live. 'The first thing you make sure you do in life is to pay your mortgage, but people aren't doing that, because the whole system is so broken now,' she said. Nationally the mortgage delinquency rate is at the highest level since 2016-2017. The mortgage stress test introduced starting in 2016 brought down missed payments, but now those numbers are creeping back up again despite the fact it's still in place, Oakes said. This is because of all the mortgages opened during the pandemic with high balances and low rates. 'Now you're seeing people coming off those low rates. And it's a challenge,' Oakes said. She added Ontario is likely dealing with more missed payments because of high home prices, particularly in the GTA, and a rising unemployment rate. Due to its close ties to the U.S., the province is also more vulnerable to economic uncertainty around the ongoing trade war. The mortgage delinquency rate is always a relatively small number, she said, because mortgage payments are typically the last thing to go when Canadians face financial hurdles. They will miss other payments on things like credit cards and cars before putting their homes at risk. Nationally, missed payments continued to rise on credit cards, and more than 1.4 million consumers (1 in 22) missed at least one credit payment during the first quarter of the year. New mortgage originations were up 66 per cent in the first quarter of 2025 compared to the same time last year in Ontario, and about 58 per cent nationally. But Oakes said this reflects people shopping around for better rates, as part of the 'Great Renewal' of pandemic era mortgages. More than a million mortgages are set to renew in Canada this year and borrowers are facing much higher monthly payments. Victor Tran, a RATESDOTCA mortgage and real estate expert, said it's worth it to look for a better rate as even a small difference means you'll save money. With sales down, banks and brokers are all competing for the best renewal rates, even offering incentives like cash back or credit card points. 'It's almost a race to the bottom,' he said. Interest rates are down somewhat but mortgage rates are also tied to the bond market, which has been impacted by the economic uncertainty surrounding the U.S. Trump administration and the ongoing trade war. As bond yields increase, fixed rates will follow suit, Tran said. That's why it's a good move to lock in a pre-approval, whether you're renewing, or planning on buying a home. As for those looking to purchase their first home, the picture is still not exactly rosy, Oakes said. New mortgages for first-time buyers in Ontario were up about 38 per cent in the first quarter of 2025, but that's more of a recovery from losses over the last two years. 'You know, 12 months ago, it was at very low levels. So it's up, but kind of from a low point,' said Oakes. 'Yes, the interest rates coming down means payments are coming down a bit. But actually the average loan size is still increasing. So it's not great if you're first-time home buyers still at all.'
Toronto Star
7 days ago
- Business
- Toronto Star
Ontario's record-setting mortgage delinquencies ‘enormously concerning'
More Ontarians are missing mortgage payments than at any time since Equifax started tracking them in 2012, according to new data from the credit agency. 'Delinquencies are really still rising on the mortgage side,' said Rebecca Oakes, vice-president of advanced analytics at Equifax Canada. 'We're still very concerned about those.' Ontario's 90-plus day mortgage delinquency rate rose 71.5 per cent since the first quarter of 2024, to 0.24 per cent from 0.14 per cent. Alison Kemper, an associate professor at Toronto Metropolitan University's Ted Rogers School of Management, called this 'enormously concerning.' There's not enough missing middle housing in between larger detached homes and small condo units, prices are still very high, and what is being build is aimed at investors, she added. So people end up taking on huge debts to find a decent place to live. 'The first thing you make sure you do in life is to pay your mortgage, but people aren't doing that, because the whole system is so broken now,' she said. Nationally the mortgage delinquency rate is at the highest level since 2016-2017. The mortgage stress test introduced starting in 2016 brought down missed payments, but now those numbers are creeping back up again despite the fact it's still in place, Oakes said. This is because of all the mortgages opened during the pandemic with high balances and low rates. 'Now you're seeing people coming off those low rates. And it's a challenge,' Oakes said. She added Ontario is likely dealing with more missed payments because of high home prices, particularly in the GTA, and a rising unemployment rate. Due to its close ties to the U.S., the province is also more vulnerable to economic uncertainty around the ongoing trade war. The mortgage delinquency rate is always a relatively small number, she said, because mortgage payments are typically the last thing to go when Canadians face financial hurdles. They will miss other payments on things like credit cards and cars before putting their homes at risk. Nationally, missed payments continued to rise on credit cards, and more than 1.4 million consumers (1 in 22) missed at least one credit payment during the first quarter of the year. New mortgage originations were up 66 per cent in the first quarter of 2025 compared to the same time last year in Ontario, and about 58 per cent nationally. But Oakes said this reflects people shopping around for better rates, as part of the 'Great Renewal' of pandemic era mortgages. More than a million mortgages are set to renew in Canada this year and borrowers are facing much higher monthly payments. Victor Tran, a RATESDOTCA mortgage and real estate expert, said it's worth it to look for a better rate as even a small difference means you'll save money. With sales down, banks and brokers are all competing for the best renewal rates, even offering incentives like cash back or credit card points. 'It's almost a race to the bottom,' he said. Interest rates are down somewhat but mortgage rates are also tied to the bond market, which has been impacted by the economic uncertainty surrounding the U.S. Trump administration and the ongoing trade war. As bond yields increase, fixed rates will follow suit, Tran said. That's why it's a good move to lock in a pre-approval, whether you're renewing, or planning on buying a home. As for those looking to purchase their first home, the picture is still not exactly rosy, Oakes said. New mortgages for first-time buyers in Ontario were up about 38 per cent in the first quarter of 2025, but that's more of a recovery from losses over the last two years. 'You know, 12 months ago, it was at very low levels. So it's up, but kind of from a low point,' said Oakes. 'Yes, the interest rates coming down means payments are coming down a bit. But actually the average loan size is still increasing. So it's not great if you're first-time home buyers still at all.'
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Gen Z is signing up for ‘Adulting 101' classes — because they can't handle basic life skills: ‘A lot of stuff involves money'
They can code TikToks in their sleep — but can't cook rice without a YouTube tutorial. Gen Z is flocking to 'Adulting 101' crash courses, desperate to learn what previous generations might call common sense: how to do laundry, budgeting for rent or navigating a grocery store without Googling 'what is a turnip?' 'I don't know how to change a tire. I don't have a car at all. I don't know how to sew. I don't know how to do a lot of things, other than cooking,' admitted Aldhen Garcia, a freshman at Canada's Toronto Metropolitan University, on CBC's 'The Current.' 'I think it's so important that children are taught financial literacy. A lot of stuff involves money,' he added. He's not alone. Canadian colleges like the University of Waterloo are stepping in to teach the basics with online toolkits like 'Adulting 101,' which covers everything from healthy relationships to how not to set your kitchen on fire. 'There's a lot of things that are missed in education about when you actually become an adult,' echoed Bella Hudson, a third-year TMU student. She told the radio program, 'I do wish that they had classes that taught how to manage yourself and manage your life.' What's cooking — besides ramen — is a cultural reckoning. According to Jean Twenge, a psychology professor at San Diego State University and author of 'Generations,' today's 20-somethings are hitting adulthood with empty toolboxes. 'Kids are growing up less independent. They're less likely to learn how to do adult things as high school students. Then they get to university and they still don't know,' Twenge said on 'The Current.' 'We send them off to adulthood without other skills. If they're not learning how to make decisions on their own and solve problems, that can be challenging.' Twenge blames helicopter parenting and extended adolescence — made worse by rising numbers of young adults living with mom and dad. 'You are just more likely to be financially dependent on your parents for longer,' she noted. Stateside, students are seeing the same gaps. 'NYC high schools are failing their students — not academically, but practically,' Zack Leitner, a New York City 10th grader, wrote in The Post last month. 'Until the 1960s, NYC high schoolers learned to cook, clean and sew as part of their standard curriculum. In 2025, they'd be lucky if they knew how to do their laundry.' Leitner said the long-lost home economics class — ditched during the Women's Liberation movement — left behind crucial life lessons for all genders. Today's students, he argues, are launched into adulthood with no idea how to fold a fitted sheet or roast a chicken. 'What today's youth need are 'Adulting 101' classes,' he insisted. 'A lack of these skills makes youth feel adrift once they enter the 'real world.' ' Pam Charbonneau, Waterloo's director of student success, agrees. 'What you're experiencing is normal. A lot of your peers are going through the same thing at the same time,' she told students like Garcia, as reported by the CBC. And while she supports universities offering help, Twenge says the real fix starts earlier. 'Limiting kids' freedom and not teaching them practical skills is doing them a disservice,' she said. Because whether it's interest rates or ironing a shirt — ignorance isn't bliss, it's expensive.
