Study: Longer Space Flights Affect Areas in Brain
2023-06-21
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1A new study has found that areas of the brain containing fluid expand when astronauts are on space missions for six months or longer.
2The American space agency NASA funded the study.
3The brain areas are called cerebral ventricles.
4They contain cerebrospinal fluid, a clear and watery liquid that flows in and around the brain and spinal cord.
5The fluid helps protect the brain against sudden impact.
6The fluid also removes waste products.
7Researchers based their research on brain scans of 30 astronauts.
8They found that it took three years for the ventricles to fully return to normal size after long space missions.
9The results mean that astronauts may need to wait at least three years between longer space missions.
10Heather McGregor is a University of Florida brain scientist.
11She was the lead writer of the study, which appeared in the publication Scientific Reports.
12She told the Reuters news agency that if the ventricles do not have enough time to get back to normal size, they could have less space to expand on a following trip to space.
13This could affect the brain's ability to deal with the changes in gravity that astronauts face.
14Rachael Seidler is a University of Florida professor of applied physiology and kinesiology.
15She was also a writer of the study.
16She said, "the impact of ventricular expansion is currently not known," and that scientists need to do more studies on the subject.
17She added that the expansion likely compresses the area of the brain around the spaces.
18To compress means to press, squeeze or make smaller.
19On Earth, valves in the body's vascular system prevent fluid from staying at our feet due to gravity.
20But in space, without gravity, the valves push the fluid more towards the head.
21Seidler said this is what likely causes the ventricular expansion.
22As a result, the brain sits higher in the skull.
23The study involved 23 male and seven female astronauts from the U.S., Canadian and European space agencies.
24The average age of the astronauts was 47.
25Eight of the astronauts traveled on space shuttle missions that lasted about two weeks.
26Eighteen were on International Space Station (ISS) missions of about six months.
27The other four took part in ISS missions that lasted about a year.
28The astronauts who went on short missions experienced little or no ventricular size change.
29A size increase occurred in astronauts after missions of six months or longer.
30There was no difference in those who went on missions for six months compared to those who went on year-long missions.
31The fact that enlargement did not worsen after six months could be good news for future Mars missions.
32Astronauts may spend two years in microgravity during trips to Mars.
33The study results are also good news for people thinking about going on short space tourism flights, Seidler added.
34Low gravity causes other changes in the human body, as well.
35These include decreases in bone and muscle mass, some changes to the heart and lung system, and issues with the balance system in the inner ear.
36Longer space missions might also increase cancer risk because of greater exposure to solar radiation.
37I'm Andrew Smith.
1A new study has found that areas of the brain containing fluid expand when astronauts are on space missions for six months or longer. The American space agency NASA funded the study. 2The brain areas are called cerebral ventricles. They contain cerebrospinal fluid, a clear and watery liquid that flows in and around the brain and spinal cord. The fluid helps protect the brain against sudden impact. The fluid also removes waste products. 3Researchers based their research on brain scans of 30 astronauts. They found that it took three years for the ventricles to fully return to normal size after long space missions. The results mean that astronauts may need to wait at least three years between longer space missions. 4Heather McGregor is a University of Florida brain scientist. She was the lead writer of the study, which appeared in the publication Scientific Reports. She told the Reuters news agency that if the ventricles do not have enough time to get back to normal size, they could have less space to expand on a following trip to space. This could affect the brain's ability to deal with the changes in gravity that astronauts face. 5Rachael Seidler is a University of Florida professor of applied physiology and kinesiology. She was also a writer of the study. She said, "the impact of ventricular expansion is currently not known," and that scientists need to do more studies on the subject. 6She added that the expansion likely compresses the area of the brain around the spaces. To compress means to press, squeeze or make smaller. 7On Earth, valves in the body's vascular system prevent fluid from staying at our feet due to gravity. But in space, without gravity, the valves push the fluid more towards the head. Seidler said this is what likely causes the ventricular expansion. As a result, the brain sits higher in the skull. 8The study involved 23 male and seven female astronauts from the U.S., Canadian and European space agencies. The average age of the astronauts was 47. Eight of the astronauts traveled on space shuttle missions that lasted about two weeks. Eighteen were on International Space Station (ISS) missions of about six months. The other four took part in ISS missions that lasted about a year. 9The astronauts who went on short missions experienced little or no ventricular size change. A size increase occurred in astronauts after missions of six months or longer. There was no difference in those who went on missions for six months compared to those who went on year-long missions. 10The fact that enlargement did not worsen after six months could be good news for future Mars missions. Astronauts may spend two years in microgravity during trips to Mars. The study results are also good news for people thinking about going on short space tourism flights, Seidler added. 11Low gravity causes other changes in the human body, as well. These include decreases in bone and muscle mass, some changes to the heart and lung system, and issues with the balance system in the inner ear. 12Longer space missions might also increase cancer risk because of greater exposure to solar radiation. 13I'm Andrew Smith. 14Will Dunham wrote this story for Reuters. Andrew Smith adapted it for VOA Learning English. 15___________________________________________________________________ 16Words in This Story 17fund -v. to pay for or provide some money for some activity or project 18impact -n. a) the action of one object hitting another, or the force with which one object hits another. ; b) the strong effect something has on another thing or person. 19physiology -n. the scientific study of how people's and animals' bodies function 20kinesiology -n. the scientific study of how people's and animals' bodies move 21occur -v. to happen 22exposure -n. placement in a situation where dangerous or damaging things can affect you 23_______________________________________________________________________ 24We want to hear from you. 25We have a new comment system. Here is how it works: 26Each time you return to comment on the Learning English site, you can use your account and see your comments and replies to them. Our comment policy is here.