What "weed need" is a space mission!

[xilman]

Originally Posted by Xyzzy

http://arstechnica.com/science/2016/...-counterparts/

My first thought, before I'd even clicked on the link was "small number statistics".

The article strongly suggests a link between radiation and cardiovascular defects but warns

“Caution must be used in drawing definitive conclusions regarding specific health risks,” they concluded. The astronaut numbers are very small for an epidemiological study, there may be other factors in the space environment that could explain the possible health effects, and the type of radiation given to the mice wasn’t exactly the same as the type astronauts experience.

Presumably the similar effects should have been noticed in the hibakusha and those who were in and around Chernobyl. A combined study would have a large sample size.

[Mark Rose]

Originally Posted by xilman

My first thought, before I'd even clicked on the link was "small number statistics".

The article strongly suggests a link between radiation and cardiovascular defects but warns


Presumably the similar effects should have been noticed in the hibakusha and those who were in and around Chernobyl. A combined study would have a large sample size.

Yeah, the total amount of radiation the astronauts were exposed to was relatively small. It reminds me of the chocolate weight loss study.

I do wonder, however, if there is a similar increased incidence of cardiovascular disease in airline crew, or amongst the residents of the ISS.

[Mark Rose]

The best part is the bird tweeting half way through.

[xilman]

Originally Posted by Mark Rose

I do wonder, however, if there is a similar increased incidence of cardiovascular disease in airline crew, or amongst the residents of the ISS.

Possible, but all those were well inside the magnetosphere, unlike the Apollo crews, and so their radiation exposure isn't much greater than the human norm. Their exposure is also over a long term, again unlike the astronauts in question.

That's why I suggested the populations I did. Short-term exposure to radiation levels much higher than normal.

[chalsall]

Originally Posted by xilman

That's why I suggested the populations I did. Short-term exposure to radiation levels much higher than normal.

Which would tend to lead to quicker, and multiple, DNA and RNA damage.

The authors themselves cautioned that the sample size was very small.

I found it interesting that some concluded from this that Mars couldn't be colonized by Humans. Both because of the radiation experienced during the trip from Earth, and the fact that Mars has a tiny magnetosphere.

A strong magnetic field could be generated at relatively low cost during the trip, and actually help provide propulsion. Additional shielding could be provided by products the colonists need to carry with them anyway. Water, for example.

Once on Mars, dig down and live underground. Our early ancestors lived in caves.

[Mark Rose]

Water is a very effective gamma ray absorber. Like, I've stood a few meters away from an active nuclear reactor core. The shielding? Mostly water. Coolest tour I've been on :)

[kladner]

Originally Posted by Mark Rose

Water is a very effective gamma ray absorber. Like, I've stood a few meters away from an active nuclear reactor core. The shielding? Mostly water. Coolest tour I've been on :)

I got to see the research reactor at Reed College once. It was a blue glowing area at the bottom of a very large tank of water. We all put on dosimeters before entering the chamber.

[chalsall]

Originally Posted by kladner

It was a blue glowing area at the bottom of a very large tank of water. We all put on dosimeters before entering the chamber.

Very cool.

Were you taught why it was glowing blue, and why you were safe?

[kladner]

I was 16 at the time, so I would have known about Čerenkov radiation from years of SciFi reading. However, I'm sure that things were explained. My brother was a student and knew the department head, who personally took us on a tour. I'm pretty sure that my brother was not personally involved with the reactor program.

[chalsall]

Originally Posted by kladner

I was 16 at the time, so I would have known about Čerenkov radiation from years of SciFi reading.

Yeah... We youngish were blessed with the deep and informative thinkers and writers like David Brin, Isaac Asimov and Arthur C. Clarke.

[kladner]

Originally Posted by chalsall

Yeah... We youngish were blessed with the deep and informative thinkers and writers like David Brin, Isaac Asimov and Arthur C. Clarke.

.....James Blish, Robert A Heinlein (even!).....It was a serious sign of impending maturity when I realized what a sexist, militaristic, insecure guy he was.