Embarking on a journey to outer space has the potential to widen perspectives, offering fresh insights into the position of humanity in the vast cosmos. However, contrary to common belief that such an experience could significantly heighten one’s wisdom, a recent study has revealed that space travel might actually result in a decrease in cognitive abilities.
As more individuals are venturing into space tourism aboard ventures like Blue Origin, scientists have seized the opportunity to investigate the effects of space travel on ordinary individuals. With the influx of rich magnates and retired performers taking space trips, a unique scrutiny is being placed on how regular individuals adapt to the rigors of space travel as opposed to seasoned astronauts who have trained rigorously for orbital missions for years.
A recent report published by the New York Times unveils the repercussions of space travel, which do not bode well for prospective space adventurers. The study of the four civilian space travelers on the 2021 Inspiration4 mission indicated that brief stints in orbit could negatively impact cognitive functions, weaken the immune system, and even deteriorate physical health. As elucidated by the Times:
In September 2021, four individuals spent three days away from Earth and underwent physical and mental transformations, such as mild declines in cognitive assessments, heightened stress on immune systems, and genetic variations within their cells. These findings were documented in a series of articles released on Tuesday in the Nature journal and other related publications.
Most alterations observed in the astronauts reversed upon their return to Earth. None of the changes posed significant concerns for future space travelers. However, these results underscore the existing gaps in medical knowledge.
During a press conference on Monday, Christopher Mason, a professor specializing in genomics, physiology, and biophysics at Weill Cornell Medicine in New York City and one of the primary investigators, described the publication of papers and data as “the most comprehensive analysis we’ve conducted on a crew”.
The four individuals chosen to represent a broader demographic included billionaire Jared Isaacman, who spearheaded the mission; Hayley Arceneaux, a medical practitioner; Sian Proctor, an educator at a community college; and Christopher Sembroski, an engineer. Nonetheless, the researchers anonymized the data pertaining to the Inspiration4 mission.
Throughout their expedition to space, inclusive of the preparation and post-flight period, the participants offered scientists a range of samples, from blood and urine specimens to cognitive data attained through specialized evaluations.
Upon evaluating the collected data, researchers observed altered kidney functions due to space travel, possibly increasing the likelihood of kidney stone formation. Furthermore, genetic indicators linked to age were accentuated, suggesting that individuals appear genetically younger in space, as detailed in an article published by Nature. The team also evaluated the crew’s capacity to concentrate and sustain attention while in space. As highlighted by the Times:
The astronauts engaged in various iPad-based assessments to gauge their cognitive efficiency in space. One test assessed psychomotor vigilance, measuring the ability to focus on a task and sustain attention. The astronaut fixated on a box displayed on the screen. Subsequently, a stopwatch would unexpectedly appear in the box, timing until the button was pressed.
A delay in response exceeding 355 milliseconds signified a lapse in attention. On average, performance in space declined compared to when the Inspiration4 astronauts underwent the same evaluation on the ground. Other tests indicated deficiencies in visual search and working memory.
The study noted a decline in astronauts’ response times in space, though researchers acknowledged that this could be attributed to distractions caused by the awe-inspiring sights of the universe.
Despite the study’s limited sample size, findings like these are crucial as more individuals venture into space in the forthcoming years. Such research could aid endeavors like Nasa’s Artemis program in devising cautionary measures and operational guidelines for those in orbit, potentially shaping the design of future space habitats.
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