Prolonged missions in space have caused growth spurts among some astronauts and NASA is concerned what effects a 300-million-mile journey in microgravity will have on the spine. Nine astronauts, currently on the space station, were scanned before leaving for the orbiting lab and upon their return, Weaver intends to perform another scan immediately. After the before and after scans are compared, scientists hope they can create strategies, such as resistive exercise, to combat bone and muscles loss for those in space. To learn more, Weaver and her team are set to compare detailed scans of astronauts' spines immediately before and after spaceflight. Once all nine scans of astronauts are analyzed, scientists can them start working on strategies, such as resistive exercise, to counter bone and muscle loss in space.

Source: Daily Mail May 18, 2021 22:46 UTC