NASA Twins

    

 

Tucson Weather Today

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Instead of editing and telling you what I read in a recent NASA memo, I am just going to copy it and paste it here in its entirety.

March 7, 2014
RELEASE 14-063

NASA Selects 10 Proposals for Unprecedented Twin Astronaut Study

Only one set of twins has ever been into space, and now those twins are providing an unprecedented opportunity for scientists to understand better the effects of microgravity on the human body.

NASA's Human Research Program (HRP) will fund 10 short-term, first-of-its-kind investigations into the molecular, physiological and psychological effects of spaceflight in a continuous effort to reduce the health impacts of human space exploration. The National Space Biomedical Research Institute is partnering with HRP to provide genetic counseling and assisting in the management of the research.

This unique opportunity is made possible by NASA's decision to fly veteran astronaut Scott Kelly aboard the International Space Station for one year, beginning March 2015, while his identical twin brother, retired astronaut Mark Kelly, remains on Earth.

This study will focus in part on the comparison of blood samples collected from Scott and Mark at regular intervals before, during and after the one-year mission. Physiological and psychological testing also will be conducted on the brothers before, during and after the mission.

Scientific and technical experts from academia and government reviewed 40 proposals submitted in response to the research announcement "Human Exploration Research Opportunities - Differential Effects on Homozygous Twin Astronauts Associated with Differences in Exposure to Spaceflight Factors." The 10 selected proposals, which are from 10 institutions in seven states, will receive a combined $1.5 million during a three-year period.

HRP regularly assesses crew health and performance during spaceflight to evaluate associated risks. From these assessments, HRP develops strategies to monitor and mitigate these risks. These studies often have the considerable added benefit of advancing health care for people on Earth.

For a complete list of the selected proposals, principal investigators and organizations, visit:

http://go.nasa.gov/1cx1mWZ

For information about NASA's Human Research Program, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/exploration/humanresearch/

For information on the National Space Biomedical Research Institute, visit:

http://www.nsbri.org/

For information about the International Space Station, its crews and research, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/station

-end-

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Yes I know that doing that -- substituting a NASA memo for personal commentary -- indicates that I might be a somewhat lazy critter today.

The indication is true.

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Did You Know . . .?

Thomas Crapper was not responsible for the words "crap" and "crapper" - nor did he invent the flush toilet. That is a myth.

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HISTORICAL EVENT

On this day in 1888, agreeing to cooperate with a policy unilaterally adopted by Congress six years earlier, China approved a treaty forbidding Chinese laborers to enter the United States for 20 years.

Significantly, the Exclusion Act only excluded Chinese 'laborers.' The U.S. continued to welcome merchants, who promised to help Americans maintain lucrative trading ties with the vast Chinese population, and professionals who offered valuable skills.

Only in 1943, when China became a valuable ally in the war against Japan, did the U.S. finally abandon this blatantly racist policy.

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WORD FOR TODAY

delirious
adjective
1. Wandering in the mind and talking complete nonsense
2. Marked by uncontrolled excitement or emotion; ecstatic: delirious joy; a crowd of delirious baseball fans.

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CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS

 

Willard Mitt Romney
(born March 12, 1947)

Mitt Romney is an American businessman who was the Republican Party's nominee for President of the United States in the 2012 election. Before his presidential bid, he served as the 70th Governor of Massachusetts from 2003 to 2007.

Liza May Minnelli
(born March 12, 1946)

Liza Minnelli is an American actress, singer and dancer. She is the daughter of singer and actress Judy Garland and film director Vincente Minnelli.

Barbara Feldon
(born March 12, 1933)

Barbara Feldon is an American character actress who works mostly in the theatre but is primarily known for her roles on television. Her most prominent role was that of Agent 99 on the 1960s sitcom Get Smart.

Jaimie Alexander
(born March 12, 1984)

Jaimie Alexander is an American actress known for portraying Jessi on the TV series Kyle XY and Sif in the 2011 superhero film Thor, and its 2013 sequel, Thor: The Dark World.

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When a man lacks mental balance in pneumonia he is said to be delirious. When he lacks mental balance without the pneumonia, he is pronounced insane by all smart doctors.
--Martin H. Fischer

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