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Science reveals the truth of why you're feeling carsick in EVs
Science reveals the truth of why you're feeling carsick in EVs

News.com.au

time4 days ago

  • Automotive
  • News.com.au

Science reveals the truth of why you're feeling carsick in EVs

While electric vehicles are becoming increasingly popular for drivers around the world, many are realising that they can make you more carsick than conventional petrol cars. If you've found yourself questioning why you feel a little queasy behind the wheel of the future, don't worry. It's a real thing, and you're not the only one. According to multiple studies, there are very scientific reasons why a person may experience more motion sickness in an electric vehicle. Lack of previous experience Though EVs are becoming increasingly popular, most people's experiences with cars are based on combustion cars. If you've learnt how to drive in a conventional petrol car, you've likely adapted to their specific cues. According to a 2020 study published in Applied Ergonomics, the lack of a traditional engine sound could be an influencing factor to motion sickness. 'Being able to anticipate upcoming motion is known to potentially mitigate sickness resulting from provocative motion,' the 2020 study said. For example, upon pressing the accelerator pedal and hearing the rev of the engine, your brain will prepare you for the increase in speed. In an electric vehicle, drivers may experience a low hum or even no sound at all, making it harder for their brain to anticipate movement. 'If we are accustomed to travelling in non-EVs, we are used to understanding the car's motion based on signals such as engine revs, engine vibrations, torque, etc,' William Emond, a PhD student at the Université de Technologie de Belfort-Montbéliard in France, explained to The Guardian. 'Yet, travelling in an EV for the first time is a new motion environment for the brain, which needs adaptation,' Regenerative braking Similarly, EV's 'regenerative braking' is also a contributing factor to nausea in drivers. For those unaware, regenerative braking is a system where the vehicle's kinetic energy is generated automatically through the action of braking, and routed back into the battery as usable power. Regenerative braking can cause motion sickness for EV drivers, especially for those who have the EVs set for max regenerative braking, or for those using one-pedal mode, as the act of simply lifting off the accelerator would cause the car to slow down dramatically. For drivers, it can feel like the car is slowing down when they haven't prepared for it, and throw off their balance. 'Better knowledge on self-motion allows us to anticipate motion forces, which is crucial for motion sickness,' Emond explained to The Guardian. 'Yet, when the motion forces as estimated or anticipated by the brain differ from what actually is experienced, then the brain interprets this 'neural mismatch' as a situation of conflict. 'If this conflict persists over time, it may surpass a threshold for triggering autonomic reactions of the body such as symptoms apparent to 'motion sickness'.' For those considering purchasing some new wheels, Australia's car market is undergoing one of its biggest shake-ups in decades, with some experts calling it the most dramatic shift in automotive history. Australia has become a viable market for Chinese car manufacturers which has lead to aggressive local pricing, especially from brands such as BYD, Chery and GWM. data services Director Ross Booth said much of the automotive growth is coming from electric and electrified vehicles. 'We're seeing a clear shift towards more fuel-efficient vehicles, with strong growth in New Energy Vehicles – which include hybrids, plug-in hybrids, and battery electric vehicles,' Mr Booth said. Hybrid and electric vehicle sales made up just 8 per cent of new cars in 2021, jumping to 25 per cent by the end of 2025.

Long-term space missions may jeopardize astronauts' eyesight, warns study
Long-term space missions may jeopardize astronauts' eyesight, warns study

Yahoo

time28-01-2025

  • Health
  • Yahoo

Long-term space missions may jeopardize astronauts' eyesight, warns study

The low levels of gravity (microgravity) in space cause significant changes in astronauts' eyes and vision after six to 12 months aboard the International Space Station (ISS), according to a study. That's what Université de Montréal opthalmology Santiago Costantino found in a study published last fall in the Journal of Engineering in Medicine and Biology. At least 70 per cent of astronauts on the ISS have been affected by spaceflight-associated neuro-ocular syndrome, or SANS. The researchers analyzed data from 13 astronauts, aged 48 on average, who spent 157 to 186 days on the ISS. The group included astronauts from the US, Europe, Japan, and Canada; 31% were women, and eight were on their first mission. During the research, ophthalmologist Santiago Costantino from the Universite de Montreal discovered that over 70% of astronauts on the ISS experience spaceflight-associated neuro-ocular syndrome (SANS). To study the effects of space travel, the researchers analyzed three eye-related factors: ocular rigidity, intraocular pressure, and ocular pulse amplitude. They measured ocular rigidity using optical coherence tomography with a customized video module to enhance choroid imaging, while tonometry was used to assess intraocular pressure and ocular pulse amplitude. Significant changes were observed in the biomechanical properties of astronauts' eyes, with a 33% decline in ocular rigidity, an 11% drop in intraocular pressure, and a 25% decrease in ocular pulse amplitude. These alterations were associated with symptoms like reduced eye size, changes in focal field, and, in some cases, optic nerve swelling and retinal folds. The researchers also found that five astronauts had a choroidal thickness greater than 400 micrometers, with no correlation to age, gender, or prior space experience. They suggest that weightlessness alters blood distribution in the body, increasing blood flow to the head and slowing venous circulation in the eye, which likely causes the choroid, the vascular layer nourishing the retina, to expand. The researchers suggest that the choroid's expansion in weightlessness may stretch the collagen in the sclera, causing lasting changes to the eye's mechanical properties. Results have also shown that blood pulsations in microgravity could create a water-hammer effect, where sudden pressure changes in blood flow cause mechanical shock to the eye, leading to significant tissue changes. The researchers found that these eye changes are typically not a major concern for missions lasting six to twelve months. While 80% of astronauts experienced at least one symptom, their eyes returned to normal after returning to Earth. In most cases, corrective eyeglasses were enough to address the symptoms developed aboard the ISS. Space agencies and the research community remain cautious about the potential risks of longer missions, such as a Mars trip. The effects of prolonged microgravity exposure on eye health are still unclear, and no preventive or treatment measures are currently available. Costantino and his team are waiting for more NASA data to further their research, and as the scientist pointed out, the changes in the eye's mechanical properties could help predict the development of spaceflight-associated neuro-ocular syndrome.

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