Butterflies in Space
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Gregory L. Vogt, Ed.D. Nancy P. Moreno, Ph.D. Stefanie Countryman, M.B.A. © 2012 Baylor College of Medicine ISBN: 978-1-888997-59-0 An Experiment Aboard the International Space Station by Gregory L. Vogt, Ed.D. Nancy P. Moreno, Ph.D. Stefanie Countryman, M.B.A. RESOURCES This publication is available in PDF format at www.nsbri.org and at www.bioedonline.org. For related resources and professional development, visit www.bioedonline.org or www.k8science.org. © 2012 by Baylor College of Medicine Houston, Texas © 2012 by Baylor College of Medicine All rights reserved. Printed in the United States of America. ISBN-13: 978-1-888997-59-0 Teacher Resources from the Center for Educational Outreach at Baylor College of Medicine. The mark “BioEd” is a service mark of Baylor College of Medicine. The activities described in this book are intended for school-age children under direct supervision of adults. The authors, Baylor College of Medicine (BCM) and the National Space Biomedical Research Institute (NSBRI) cannot be responsible for any accidents or injuries that may result from conduct of the activities, from not specifically following directions, or from ignoring cautions contained in the text. The opinions, findings and conclusions expressed in this publication are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of BCM, NSBRI or the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Authors: Gregory L. Vogt, Ed.D., Nancy P. Moreno, Ph.D., and Stefanie Countryman M.B.A. Senior Editor: James P. Denk, M.A. Creative Director and Editor: Martha S. Young, B.F.A. Cover photo of Vanessa cardui courtesy of Michael Hanselmann, Wikimedia Creative Commons Share Alike 3.0, http://commons.wikimedia.org. Illustrations by M.S. Young and G.L. Vogt. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS The authors gratefully acknowledge the support of Bobby R. Alford, M.D., Jeffrey P. Sutton, M.D., Ph.D., William A. Thomson, Ph.D., Jeanne L. Becker, Ph.D., and Kathy Major, B.A. We especially acknowledge the valuable contributions of Louis Stodieck, Ph.D., BioServe Space Technologies; Mary Ann Hamilton, Curator, Butterfly Pavilion; and Kenneth Werner, Gulf Coast Butterflies. Butterflies in Space is supported by National Space Biomedical Research Institute through NASA NCC 9-58, and by Houston Endowment Inc., and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. No part of this book may be reproduced by any mechanical, photographic or electronic process, or in the form of an audio recording; nor may it be stored in a retrieval system, transmitted, or otherwise copied for public or private use without prior written permission of the publisher. Black-line masters reproduced for classroom use are excepted. NATIONAL SPACE BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE 1 Baylor Plaza, NA-425, Houston, Texas 77030 www.nsbri.org CENTER FOR EDUCATIONAL OUTREACH Baylor College of Medicine, 1 Baylor Plaza, BCM411, Houston, Texas 77030 713-798-8200 / 800 -798-8244 / www.bcm.edu/edoutreach Contents Teaming with Benefits iv 1. Introduction 1 2. Living Organisms in Space 4 3. Investigating Gravity as a Variable 6 4. Butterfly Primer 9 5. Butterfly Habitats 11 6. Designing the Investigations 16 Butterflies in Space is a cooperative effort of the following organizations. BioServe Space Technologies, University of Colorado Boulder, Colorado www.colorado.edu/engineering/BioServe Center for Educational Outreach, Baylor College of Medicine Houston, Texas www.bcm.edu/edoutreach Butterfly Pavilion Westminster, Colorado www.butterflies.org Orion’s Quest Detroit, Michigan www.orionsquest.org/v3 Challenger Learning Center of Colorado Colorado Springs, Colorado www.clccs.org National Space Biomedical Research Institute Houston, Texas www.nsbri.org Office of the Chief Scientist, National Aeronautics and Space Administration Washington, D.C. www.nasa.gov © 2012 Baylor College of Medicine Contents Bioed Online | K8 Science Butterflies in Space iii A UNIQUE PARTNERSHIP: NASA AND THE NSBRI Teaming with Benefits by Jeffrey P. Sutton, M.D., Ph.D., Director, National Space Biomedical Research Institute (NSBRI) pace is a unprecedented, with substantial It will become necessary to perform Schallenging benefits for both the space program more investigations in the unique environment for the and the American people. environment of space. The vision of human body. With Through our strategic plan, the using extended exposure to micro- long-duration mis- NSBRI takes a leadership role gravity as a laboratory for discovery sions, the physical in countermeasure development and exploration builds upon the and psychological and space life sciences education. legacy of NASA and our quest to stresses and risks The results-oriented research and push the frontier of human under- to astronauts are Dr. Jeffrey P. Sutton development program is integrated standing about nature and ourselves. significant. Finding answers to these and implemented using focused The NSBRI is maturing in an health concerns is at the heart of the teams, with scientific and manage- era of unparalleled scientific and National Space Biomedical Research ment directives that are innovative technological advancement and Institute’s program. In turn, the and dynamic. An active Board of opportunity. We are excited by the Institute’s research is helping to Directors, External Advisory Council, challenges confronting us, and by our enhance medical care on Earth. Board of Scientific Counselors, User collective ability to enhance human The NSBRI, a unique partnership Panel, Industry Forum and Academic health and well-being in space, and between NASA and the academic Consortium help guide the NSBRI in on Earth. and industrial communities, is achieving its goals and objectives. advancing biomedical research with the goal of ensuring a safe and pro- NSBRI RESEARCH AREAS ductive long-term human presence in CARDIOVASCULAR PROBLEMS group behavioral health during flight and post flight. space. By developing new approaches The amount of blood in the body is reduced when astro- People on Earth can benefit from relevant assessment and countermeasures to prevent, nauts are in microgravity. The heart grows smaller and tests, monitoring and intervention. weaker, which makes astronauts feel dizzy and weak minimize and reverse critical risks to RADIATION EFFECTS AND CANCER when they return to Earth. Heart failure and diabetes, Exploration missions will expose astronauts to greater health, the Institute plays an essential, experienced by many people on Earth, lead to similar levels and more varied types of radiation. Radiation enabling role for NASA. The NSBRI problems. exposure can lead to many health problems, including bridges the research, technological HUMAN FACTORS AND PERFORMANCE acute effects such as nausea, vomiting, fatigue, skin and clinical expertise of the biomedi- Many factors can impact an astronaut’s ability to injury and changes to white blood cell counts and the cal community with the scientific, work well in space or on the lunar surface. NSBRI is immune system. Longer-term effects include damage engineering and operational expertise studying ways to improve daily living and keep crew to the eyes, gastrointestinal system, lungs and central members healthy, productive and safe during explora- nervous system, and increased cancer risk. Learning of NASA. tion missions. Efforts focus on reducing performance how to keep astronauts safe from radiation may With nearly 60 science, technology errors, improving nutrition, examining ways to improve improve cancer treatments for people on Earth. sleep and scheduling of work shifts, and studying and education projects, the NSBRI SENSORIMOTOR AND BALANCE ISSUES how specific types of lighting in the craft and habitat During their first days in space, astronauts can engages investigators at leading insti- can improve alertness and performance. tutions across the nation to conduct become dizzy and nauseous. Eventually they adjust, MUSCLE AND BONE LOSS but once they return to Earth, they have a hard time goal-directed, peer-reviewed research When muscles and bones do not have to work walking and standing upright. Finding ways to counter- in a team approach. Key working against gravity, they weaken and begin to waste away. act these effects could benefit millions of people with relationships have been established Special exercises and other strategies to help astro- balance disorders. nauts’ bones and muscles stay strong in space also with end users, including astronauts SMART MEDICAL SYSTEMS AND TECHNOLOGY may help older and bedridden people, who experience Since astronauts on long-duration missions will not be and flight surgeons at Johnson Space similar problems on Earth, as well as people whose able to return quickly to Earth, new methods of remote work requires intense physical exertion, like firefighters Center, NASA scientists and engi- medical diagnosis and treatment are necessary. These and construction workers. neers, other federal agencies, industry systems must be small, low-power, noninvasive and and international partners. The NEUROBEHAVIORAL AND STRESS FACTORS versatile. Portable medical care systems that monitor, value of these collaborations and To ensure astronaut readiness for space flight, diagnose and treat major illness and trauma during preflight prevention programs are being developed flight will have immediate benefits to medical care revolutionary research advances that to avoid as many risks as possible to individual and on Earth. result from them is enormous and For current, in-depth information on NSBRI’s cutting-edge