Science & Technology
Scott Kelly and Mark Kelly, as described by NASA, were involved in an unusual experiment in which experts tried to assess how life on orbit affects human health. Scott and Mark are identical twins and their life was spent in a similar manner — both of them are astronauts.
The experiment was based on the observation of health conditions of both brothers. The only difference between them was that Kelly lived for over a year aboard the ISS, while his brother Mark spent his time on earth.
At the end of the experiment, the scientists came to a surprising conclusion. It turned out that telomeres — essential parts of human health that protect chromosomes from deterioration — became longer in Scott Kelly's white blood cells over the period of time he spent in space. Usually, telomeres on the contrary shorten with time as people get older, space.com wrote.
Experts assume that such changes in Scott's blood "could be linked to increased exercise and reduced caloric intake during the mission." However, they also noted that "upon his return to Earth, they began to shorten again."
In other words, this was the first experiment that showed that life in space for some yet unknown reason leads to a condition when cellular aging process is completely stopped or even reversed. Who knows, maybe it is the first step toward resolving the mystery of human aging and creating an elixir of life.
Reader Comments
The reason you see no stars relates to the reason no sun shines on the station. You *can* see light on the surface of the Earth, which washes out the stars. You will notice the same thing when you view close-up images of the moon and the rings of Jupiter. It's the same reason you don't see stars during the day. Lack of atmosphere means you don't see the light reflecting off of atmospheric particles that make the sky appear blue to us.
The IIS officially orbits the Earth 15.5 times a day
Are you claiming that the Sun also orbits the Earth 15+ time a day also?
Spaceflight Osteopenia...[Link]
What about air pollution, water pollution, food pollution.
Although those astronauts are in space eating so called ground up food, do you think it's full GMO chemicals, no it's full of the good stuff cholesterol, amino acids and vitamins that does a body good, probably in far higher concentration that can be found on the world right now if one looks at conventional food sources.
They are the prime of the crop, that have passed physical and emotional challenges, received the best counseling that money can buy.
Now IMO that would add a good few years onto one's life. The vast majority don't have that luxury, we are down here for life.