#twinstudy

This promises to be an excellent #documentary #film by PBS & Time Inc. as a follow-up to their first collaboration 'A YEAR IN SPACE, which received an Emmy Award for Outstanding Science and Technology Documentary. From the press release: The feature followed NASA Astronaut Scott Kelly's record-breaking 12-month #TwinStudy where @nasa charted the effects of long-duration #spaceflight for the next generation of #astronauts, exploring the human limitations for #space travel and what a mission to #Mars will require. “This project and meaningful partnership with PBS continues to be one of the shining examples of Time Inc.’s initiative to bring its #storytelling to #television viewers around the world,” said Ian Orefice, Head of Programming, Time Inc. Video. “The gripping story of Scott Kelly and the future of space travel is one of importance that touches all of #humanity.” BEYOND A YEAR IN SPACE picks up where the first film left off: #ScottKelly's last day in space and return to Earth. In addition to seeing Scott’s long-awaited reunion with his family and friends at home in Texas, the film follows Scott and his identical twin brother, and fellow astronaut, Captain Mark Kelly, as they undergo testing for NASA’s twin study. The twin study hopes to identify precisely what changes Scott underwent after 12 months aboard the International Space Station by comparing him to Mark, who spent the year on Earth. Viewers will meet Jessica Meir and Victor J. Glover, two of the astronauts preparing to venture farther than humankind has ever gone. BEYOND A YEAR IN SPACE features interviews and a behind-the-scenes look at how these astronauts are training to go the distance. Viewers will also learn what it means to each of them to be one of the few human beings to venture out of Earth’s orbit, beyond the moon, into deep space and possibly to Mars. BEYOND A YEAR IN SPACE will be available to stream the morning after broadcast on all station-branded PBS platforms, including PBS.org and PBS apps for iOS, Android, Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV and Chromecast. #journeytomars #yearinspace

BEYOND A YEAR IN SPACE premieres tonight! @pbs @time detailing the #yearinspace #twinstudy with @shuttlecdrkelly & #identicaltwin @stationcdrkelly conducted by @nasa

> Scott experienced dramatic shifts in telomere length dynamics, a biomarker that can help evaluate health and potential long-term risks of spaceflight. > Scott experienced thickening of the carotid artery, thickening of the retina, and weight loss. As well as a reduction in cognitive abilities. > There was some DNA damage: 91% of Scott’s gene expression levels returned to normal or baseline levels within six months of landing back on Earth. About 7% of gene expression changes persisted after six months on Earth. > The flu vaccine administered in space worked exactly the same as on Earth. Good news if future missions require vaccinations to be performed > Changes in Scott’s diversity of gut flora in space was no greater than stress-related changes scientists observe on Earth > Proper nutrition and exercise while in space resulted in decreased body mass and increased folic acid, which is vital for making red blood cells. The majority of radical changes in gene expression occurred during the latter six months of the space mission rather than the first six month period. > NASA attributed most of the key findings and effects to the stresses placed on the human body by spaceflight rather than an external effect such as exposure to radiation. NASA concludes: “Given that the majority of the biological and human health variables remained stable, or returned to baseline, these data suggest that human health can be mostly sustained over this duration of spaceflight."

"NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration scientists talk about the #research taking place the @iss as falling into two large categories. The first comprises studies that might benefit life on Earth. These include research on the properties of chemicals that could be used in new drugs, combustion studies that are unlocking new ways to get more efficiency out of the fuel we burn, and the development of new materials. The second large category has to do with solving problems for future space exploration: testing new life support equipment, solving technical problems of spaceflight, studying new ways of handling the demands of the human body in space." -- @stationcdrkelly , 'ENDURANCE: A YEAR IN SPACE, A LIFETIME OF DISCOVERY' #LifeInSpace #YearInSpace #ISS #Science #Astronauts #NASA #TwinStudy #Biology #Genetics