Health
NIH signs research pact with NASA
NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted Oct. 1, 2007
The National Institutes of Health has signed on to an agreement with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration allowing scientists to use the laboratory on the International Space Station.
"The station provides a unique environment where researchers can explore fundamental questions about human health," said NIH Director Elias A. Zerhouni, MD.
The hope is that the near-gravity-free environment will allow further exploration of the health issues experienced by astronauts and that this research will in turn translate into better understanding of the health of all. For example, experts expect that new insights into the bone and muscle wasting that those who go into space experience will lead to new treatments for people who have these issues in normal gravity.
"Not only will the station help in our efforts to explore the moon, Mars and beyond, its resources also can be applied for a much broader purpose -- improving human health," said NASA Administrator Michael Griffin, PhD.
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2007/10/01/hlbf1001.htm.
