Science For Everyone: Welcome back to "Science For Everyone", ABP Live's weekly science column. Last week, we discussed black holes, and how they behave. This week, we will discuss the numerous ways the experiments conducted on the International Space Station (ISS) benefit Earth.
The ISS, which has been inhabited by humans for over 20 years, benefits life on Earth in more ways than one can imagine. During every expedition, astronauts and cosmonauts have conducted research on the orbiting laboratory and achieved breakthroughs. These experiments include drug research, simplifying cancer treatments, developing technology to monitor heat safety on Earth, creating artificial retinas in space, and making robots, among others.
Drug research
ISS inhabitants have achieved several feats in drug research. In 2015, clinical trials of a new drug for treating Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, a genetic disorder characterised by progressive muscle degeneration and weakness due to alterations in a protein called dystrophin, began. The drug, called TAS-205, was developed using improved structures of key proteins that were crystallised on the ISS, and which were larger and of higher-quality than proteins formed on Earth. This was because the microgravity environment favoured the growth of better-quality crystals.
Using the proteins grown on the ISS, scientists were able to design a drug to fit specifically into a location on the protein associated with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.
This is an incurable genetic disorder, and the ISS study of the crystal structure of dystrophin provided hints for compounds that might inhibit the protein.
A professor at the University of Tsukuba in Japan developed TAS-205 using these hints.
In 2017, the results of a small clinical trial in human patients were published. In December 2020, a Phase 3 trial to examine the effectiveness of TAS-205 in situations similar to actual clinical use began. The research will continue till 2027, NASA says on its website.
Simplifying cancer treatments for patients
The Microgravity Growth of Crystalline Monoclonal Antibodies for Pharmaceutical Applications (CASIS-PCG 5) study, which grows monoclonal antibodies (man-made antibodies produced by cloning a unique white blood cell) in a microgravity environment for therapeutic purposes, is sponsored by the ISS National Lab, and is focused on improving how drugs are delivered to patients.
The aim of the study was to grow a more uniform crystalline form of the monoclonal antibody Keytruda. This drug is used to treat several types of cancers, including melanoma, the most serious type of skin cancer, and lung cancer.
Since monoclonal antibodies do not dissolve easily in liquid, it becomes difficult to create a drug that can be administered using an infection. As a result, patients need to spend hours in a clinical setting to receive the drug.
The PCG-5 study has produced high-quality crystalline suspensions that can allow the delivery of Keytruda by injection. This will simplify treatment for patients and caregivers, and also reduce the cost.
According to Merck Laboratories, the work on this research is ongoing, NASA says.
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Technology to monitor heat safety on Earth
When astronauts and cosmonauts exercise on the ISS, their core body temperature rises faster than the increase in temperature that would have occurred while exercising on Earth. Since 2009, the European Space Agency's (ESA's) ThermoLab experiment has investigated the regulation of body temperature, and cardiovascular adaptations in crew members.
The German company Dräge has developed a technology that measures body temperature. This technology has started to make a difference on Earth, according to NASA. Several clinics use these devices to monitor infant incubators and patients during surgery.
The devices have also been used to study how extreme heat affects farmers in Kenya and Burkina Faso.
The device can also be used to search for signs of fatigue in people working in extreme conditions, including fighter pilots and firefighters.
Artificial retinas in space
Millions of people on Earth suffer from retinal degenerative diseases. Their vision can be restored with the help of artificial retinas. LambdaVision, a United States-based company, has flown experiments to the space station so that artificial retinas can be made in microgravity. Artificial human retinas may be developed in the future using a light-activated protein called bacteriorhodopsin, according to NASA. This protein can replace the function of damaged light-sensing cells in the eye.
The process applies layer after layer of a thin film, creating implants. On Earth, aggregation and sedimentation of particles occurs. Microgravity can limit these processes, imporving the quality and stability of the films.
In December 2021, an experiment was launched which demonstrated the manufacture of a 200-layer film for the first time in microgravity. Since sedimentation and aggregation of particles is limited in microgravity, several life-changing medical technologies can be manufactured on the ISS.
Robotic applications
STS-133, the 133rd mission in NASA's Space Shuttle Program, delivered the latest Robonaut version, Robonaut 2 (R2), to the ISS in February 2011. It became the first humanoid robot in space in 2011.
Robonaut is a humanoid robot that has the versatility and dexterity to manipulate hardware, respond safely to unexpected hindrances, and work in high risk environments, according to NASA. An industrial strength robotic glove was developed with the help of Robonaut.
The Robo-Glove technology, which is a spin-off of R2, is a wearable device that allows the user to tightly grip tools and other items for longer periods of time without experiencing muscle discomfort or pain, by reducing the grasping force required by an individual to hold something. The technology was originally developed by NASA and General Motors (GM).
NASA and GM started working on R2 in 2007.
Robo-Glove helps astronauts and cosmonauts avoid hand fatigue and injury. Now, the device is commercially available as Ironhand. Bioservo Technologies in Sweden manufactures the device.
Next-generation medical scanning technology
The researchers behind the Neutron star Interior Composition Explorer (NICER), a payload aboard the ISS studying the physics of neutron stars, created and patented an X-ray source that could be turned on and off very quickly. A neuroradiologist at Massachusetts General Hospital needed this technology for his quest to improve computed tomography (CT) scans, according to NASA.
Since traditional CT machines are large, heavy, and consume a lot of power, they are hard to deploy in environments with few resources. The NICER teams and the Massachusetts General Hospital worked together to develop a stationary ring of the modulated X-ray sources developed by the former. Instead of spinning a large X-ray machine around a patient to capture a CT scan, the stationary ring can be mounted around the patient, and fired when required.
Not only does the technique reduce the amount of radiation the patient is exposed to, but also enables a better image quality even at the lower radiation level.
Lowering radiation exposure can help future astronauts on their way to Mars. Research is being conducted to make the prototype a testable device.
Artificial blood for animals
The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's (JAXA's) work on crystallising proteins in microgravity inspired the development of an artificial animal albumin, which is difficult to crystallise on Earth, according to NASA.
In order to better understand the structure of albumin and how it is formed, researchers used the ISS to crystallise the protein from cats and dogs.
Since there are no large stores of animal donated blood on Earth, veterinarians face problems providing blood transfusion treatments to animals. Therefore, the findings of the research can help develop artificial animal albumin, which will prove to be helpful for veterinary medicine.
Identifying extreme heat and plant stress
NASA's ECOsystem Spaceborne Thermal Radiometer Experiment on Space Station (ECOSTRESS) payload has many applications, including identifying heat islands on Earth. It can identify plant stress by measuring subtle changes on Earth. Using such measurements, scientists can identify extreme heat produced by events such as fires or lava flows, and can also study heatwaves in cities and the movement of warm water currents, according to NASA.
The findings of ECOSTRESS have been used in efforts to better allocate water resources, measure plant stress, track mosquitoes, reduce the heat absorbed by city surfaces, reduce fire risk in forests, search for geothermal energy sources, and help farmers water their fields efficiently.
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Sequencing the DNA of microorganisms in solar system
The ISS is a testing ground to study how to keep astronauts safe and healthy on long-duration missions. The first DNA sequencing in space was conducted in 2016. NASA astronaut Kate Rubins performed this experiment, which served as a stepping stone to molecular biology research in spaceflight conditions. Certain samples were sent to the ISS, which Rubins and fellow crew members analysed using a device called MinION. The device is as big as a cell phone, and was used to read the nucleic acid bases in the samples.
Using this technique, scientists will be able to identify pathogens on the space station, and on future exploration missions at a quick pace. They may also be able to identify life on other planets in the solar system if the samples collected show a biochemistry similar to that of life on Earth. The device can also be used in remote locations on Earth.
The technique can help identify and diagnose diseases, and help scientists understand the health of astronauts and cosmonauts.
Creating colloids for everyday household products
Last year, Procter & Gamble (P&G) sent materials to the space station for colloid research. Colloids are mixtures of particles suspended in liquids, and which are larger than atoms or ordinary molecules, but too small to be visible to the naked eye. Using the findings of this research, P&G developed a formulation of its Febreze Unstopables TOUCH Fabric Spray with touch-activated scent release technology. This means that the technology releases scent only when activated through touch.
Since colloidal particles may rise or sink on Earth due to gravity, researchers often conduct experiments on colloids on the space station. NASA's Advanced Colloid Experiments (ACE) and the ISS National National Laboratory conduct research on colloids.
According to NASA, P&G has said that the work on the ISS has allowed them to create a fluid that looks and feels like water.
Research to preserve food in grocery stores and apply air filtration technology to fight Covid-19
Space station crews have grown two generations of Arabidopsis plants using NASA's Advanced Astroculture (ADVASC) system, which helps understand the effects of gravity on plant life. An Arabidopsis plant is a model organism that is well understood and often used in fundamental biology experiments, according to NASA. ADVASC serves as a system that provides precise control of environmental parameters for plant growth, such as light, carbon dioxide and ethylene concentrations, temperature, fluid nutrient delivery and relative humidity.
The ADVASC system has been used on Earth for air purification. The system was used to prolong the shelf life of fruits and vegetables in grocery stores, and in cellars to enhance storage conditions of wines.
Companies have used the technology in air purifiers to eliminate SARS-CoV-2. Several purifiers made using this technology were produced and distributed during the Covid-19 pandemic.
A separate technology was tested to detect contaminants on the ISS. This technology was included in an air sensor on Earth to generate a "virus propagation risk index" in shared spaces. This technology tells people whether they should reduce crowding or take other steps to limit risk, based on the virus propagation risk detected.
Student research sent to space
Students from across the world have sent their research to the space station, which has helped conduct DNA sequencing experiments. Students' code sent to the ISS has been used to control robots as part of the Kibo Robot Programming Challenge.
Ultrasound techniques
People who live in remote areas often have difficulty accessing medical imaging technology such as ultrasound. Similarly, medical facilities are not within easy reach on the space station. Therefore, crew members have been trained to use a small ultrasound unit to examine fellow members. The device is called Advanced Diagnostic Ultrasound in Microgravity (ADUM), and is the only medical imaging device currently available on the ISS. It can be used to determine the accuracy of ultrasound use to diagnose certain types of on-orbit injuries and illnesses, according to NASA.
The ADUM team, in collaboration with the World Interactive Network Focused on Critical Ultrasound (WINFOCUS), adapted these techniques for use in remote areas on Earth. More than 45,000 healthcare professionals have been trained to perform complex procedures using the ADUM methods.
This will allow patients to access quality and timely diagnostic care, and make the healthcare system more efficient by allowing for early diagnosis and treatment.
Unravelling scientific mysteries
Space station research helps unravel scientific mysteries. For instance, NASA's Flame Extinguishing Experiment (FLEX) assessed the effectiveness of fire suppressants in microgravity and quantifies the effect of different crew exploration atmospheres on fire suppression. FLEX studied burning fuel droplets. While studying these droplets, researchers discovered that continued, low temperature burning occurred after apparent flame extinction. These flames are known as cool flames, and are different from the flames seen in a campfire.
While typical flames produce soot, water and carbon dioxide, cool flames produce formaldehyde and carbon monoxide.
By learning more about how these chemically different flames behave, scientists can develop more-efficient, less-polluting vehicles.
Space crops
Astronauts grow food crops in space to find ways to sustain future explorers for long-duration space missions. Since packaged foods lead to increased weight of the launch vehicle, and deteriorate when stored for longer durations, food crops are grown in space to ensure that the nutritional requirements of astronauts and cosmonauts are met.
Packaged foods have reduced Vitamin C and Vitamin K, but space crops can provide these nutrients to crew members. They can sustain future crews on the Moon and Mars.
In 2021, NASA astronauts chose to cultivate peppers as they contain several key nutrients and are an excellent source of Vitamin C. The plants are also robust with a good chance of growing successfully in microgravity.
Peppers are self-pollinating, which makes the fruit easy to grow. These plants are easy to handle in microgravity and can be harvested quickly. Most importantly, peppers do not require cooking or complex processing.
Peppers have low microbial levels, and hence, are safe for ISS crew members to consume.
The experiment which grew chilly peppers in space in 2021 is called Plant Habitat-04. It is one of the most challenging and longest plant experiments performed in space till date.
NASA astronaut Mark T. Vande Hei harvested the station's first crop of chilli peppers in October 2021.
NASA claimed the study was important as it will add to the space agency's knowledge of growing food crops for long-duration space missions.
The space agency said the aim of the experiment was to find ways to sustain future explorers for missions to destinations beyond low-Earth orbit, during which there are limited opportunities for resupply missions.
In order to address different challenges and supplement their diets with fresh food, astronauts have grown and consumed ten different varieties of food crops on the orbiting laboratory since 2015.