Scientists are transporting 4,000 microscopic worms found in a rubbish tip in Bristol to the live on the International Space Station to see how zero gravity affects them. The worms are bound for the International Space Station where they will experience the same weightless conditions that can cause dramatic muscle loss in astronauts. These worms are the perfect substitute for studying long term changes in human physiology because they suffer from muscle atrophy — muscle loss — under many of the same conditions that people do. Muscle atrophy is one of the major health concerns for astronauts but this research will also help scientists understand more about the condition which also affects the bedridden, people with muscular dystrophy and diabetes, people immobilised by casts and the elderly. His researcher Dr Tim Etheridge has been given the task of preparing the worms for their journey to the International Space Station, which is roughly 200 miles from the Earth. read more
Technorati Tags: muscle, worms, space, journey, mdash, telegraph, weight loss news
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