Broadcast 1288 (Special Edition)

  • The Space Foundation Conference

  • The Space Foundation Conference

  • The Space Foundation Conference

  • helix-space the space show sponsor

  • space settlement progress

The Space Foundation Conference

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Guest: Dr. John Jurist. Topics: Space medicine and women's health issues, bone loss, microgravity. Dr. John Jurist was our guest for this show which focused on how our modern spaceflight technology has contributed not only to cutting edge women's health care, but better healthcare for us all over several past decades. In segment one, Dr. Jurist introduced us to the issue of bone loss (osteoporosis), especially with women, and the role played in the early space medicine research in detecting, measuring, and developing counter measures in microgravity which were subsequently applied to medicine in general. Dr. Jurist takes us through this fascinating early history, helping us to understand its significance for women's health issues of today and in fact to medicine for us all. Understanding this history and the NASA involvement is important as we learn new ways to value our civil and specifically our human spaceflight program. Clearly, space medicine research and human spaceflight have proved beneficial for people's health all over this planet. Later in this segment, Dr. Jurist talked about the development of the main osteoporosis medicines, the bisphosphonates. We also talked about bone metabolism, the immune system and related radiation issues. Trust me, you won't hear this discussion anyplace else! We started the second segment with a call from listener and former Space Show guest Dr. Bill Row. Dr. Rowe was inquiring about CO2 levels and calcium metabolism in humans. This was a very important question and dialog with Dr. Jurist. Don't miss it. Also in this segment, we talked about the miniaturization of electronics which resulted from the space industry and how this development has positively impacted emergency rooms, intensive care units, recovery rooms, operating rooms, and remote emergency treatment and equipment. John continued telling us about the history of human spaceflight medicine and the companies that got involved in making equipment and product in this industry. Questions were asked regarding protein crystal growth and pharmacology in spaceflight. We talked about exercise in microgravity and the need for weight bearing activities as they seemed to be most useful in maintaining bone mass in microgravity. Dr. Jurist fielded questions on space tourism for people with osteoporosis and pointed out that the main problem might be in the G-force acceleration upon reentry. We talked about the need for proper health checks prior to going to space, the need for centrifuge testing, and for an aerospace medicine doctor to evaluate the spaceflight participant's medical history, not just an ordinary doctor unfamiliar with space medicine issues. In the third and final segment, Dr. Jurist introduced us to telemedicine which was greatly enhanced by original funding through the NIH to use satellite communications equipment to enhance health care deliver to remote areas. Today, telemedicine is common around the world and continuing to develop. Don't miss this important connection with spaceflight research and development. Dr. Jurist was asked if space medicine developments and the benefits provided a good selling point for additional civil space program funding. He responded yes and added that in the face of trillion dollar deficits, the amount of money we spend on NASA and space is very minor and would likely not even be noticed, but he did stress that space medicine benefits are not widely understood even within the space industry, let alone within the general public and they should be. If you have a comment or question for Dr. John Jurist, you can send your comment through me at drspace@thespaceshow.com or you can use jmjspaceATaolDOTcom.

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10 Jan 2010 Dr. John Jurist
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  • The Space Foundation Conference

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  • The Space Foundation Conference