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At least 811 records · Page 45
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1995

Radiation safety aspects of commercial high-speed flight transportation

High-speed commercial flight transportation is being studied for intercontinental operations in the 21st century, the projected operational characteristics for these aircraft are examined, the radiation environment as it is now known is presented, and the relevant health issues are discussed. Based on a critical examination of the data, a number of specific issues need to be addressed to ensure an adequate knowledge of the ionizing radiation health risks of these aircraft operations. Large uncertainties in our knowledge of the physical fields for high-energy neutrons and multiply-charged ion components need to be reduced. Improved methods for estimating risks in prenatal exposure need to be developed. A firm basis for solar flare monitoring and forecasting needs to be developed with means of exposure abatement.

Wilson, John W.↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Investigating Molecular Responses to Space Radiation for Biological Missions Beyond Low Earth Orbit

As we plan crewed missions to the Moon, Mars, and beyond, it is essential to understand how persistent exposure to deep space radiation affects biology. Unlike on the International Space Station (ISS), where crew support and sample return are possible, experiments for long-duration missions require autonomous systems with no sample return. Human cells would be ideal biosensors, but limitations in culture methods, extended prelaunch storage, and long flight durations make it difficult to keep human cells alive. Unlike other model systems, yeast can survive the constraints of long-duration spaceflight. Despite a billion years of evolution separating yeast from humans, we share homology in hundreds of genes important for basic cell function, including responses to DNA damage. Thus, yeast are excellent biosensors for detecting types/extent of damage induced by space radiation. BioSentinel is NASA’s latest biological CubeSat, and first interplanetary space bioscience mission. BioSentinel is launching on Artemis 1, the first flight of NASA’s Space Launch System, in 2022. The BioSensor payload within BioSentinel contains two yeast strains. The wild type serves as a control for health and normal DNA damage repair (DDR). The rad51 deletion mutant is defective for DDR and will undergo alterations to growth and metabolism as it accumulates radiation damage. Changes in growth and metabolic activity will be measured using a 3-color LED detection system and the metabolic redox dye alamarBlue®. Preliminary tests indicate a significant change in alamarBlue responses to space-like, low-dose ionizing radiation. We will discuss these findings in five parts – Introduction to NASA’s biological CubeSats and BioSentinel (presented by Sergio Santa Maria), analysis of flight data from the ISS mission (presented by Kylie Akiyama), preliminary molecular responses to space radiation (presented here), a deeper dive into those pathways (presented by Kyra Keenan), and characterizing stress response through redox potential data (presented by Diana Gentry).

Lauren Courtney Liddell↗
NASA NTRS1999

Radiation-Induced Cytogenetic Damage as a Predictor of Cancer Risk for Protons and Fe Ions

We have successfully completed the series of experiments planned for year 1 and the first part of year 2 measuring the induction of chromosome aberrations induced in multiple cell types by three model space radiations: Fe-ions, protons and photons. Most of these data have now been compiled and a significant part subjected to detailed data analyses, although continuing data analysis is an important part of our current and future efforts. These analyses are directed toward defining the patterns of chromosomal damage induction by the three radiations and the extent to which such patterns are dependent on the type of cell irradiated. Our studies show significant differences, both quantitatively and qualitatively, between response of different cell types to these radiations however there is an overall pattern that characterizes each type of radiation in most cell lines. Thus our data identifies general dose-response patterns for each radiation for induction of multiple types of chromosomal aberrations but also identifies significant differences in response between some cell types. Specifically, we observe significant resistance for induction of aberrations in rat mammary epithelial cells when they are irradiated in vivo and assayed in vitro. Further, we have observed some remarkable differences in susceptibility to certain radiation-induced aberrations in cells whose genome has been modulated for two cancer- relevant genes, TP53 and CDKNIA. This data, if confirmed, may represent the first evidence of gene-specific differences in cellular metabolism of damage induced by densely-ionizing radiation that confers substantial sensitivity to protons compared to photons.

Williams, Jerry R.↗
NASA NTRS2000

Applications in Bioastronautics and Bioinformatics: Early Radiation Cataracts Detected by Noninvasive, Quantitative, and Remote Means

Human exploration of Mars is a key goal in NASA's exploration planning in the next 20 years. Maintaining crew health and good vision is certainly an important aspect of achieving a successful mission. Continuous radiation exposure is a risk factor for radiation-induced cataracts in astronauts because radiation exposure in space travel has the potential of accelerating the aging process (ref. 1). A patented compact device (ref. 2) based on the technique of dynamic light scattering (DLS) was designed for monitoring an astronaut's ocular health during long-duration space travel. This capability of early diagnosis, unmatched by any other clinical technique in use today, may enable prompt initiation of preventive/curative therapy. An Internet web-based system integrating photon correlation data and controlling the hardware to monitor cataract development in vivo at a remote site in real time (teleophthalmology) is currently being developed. The new technology detects cataracts very early (at the molecular level). Cataract studies onboard the International Space Station will be helpful in quantifying any adverse effect of radiation to ocular health. The normal lens in a human eye, situated behind the cornea, is a transparent tissue. It contains 35 wt % protein and 65 wt % water. Aging, disease (e.g., diabetes), smoking, dehydration, malnutrition, and exposure to ultraviolet light and ionizing radiation can cause agglomeration of the lens proteins. Protein aggregation can take place anywhere in the lens, causing lens opacity. The aggregation and opacification could produce nuclear (central portion of the lens) or cortical (peripheral) cataracts. Nuclear and posterior subcapsular (the membrane's capsule surrounds the whole lens) cataracts, being on the visual optical axis of the eye, cause visual impairment that can finally lead to blindness. The lens proteins, in their native state, are small in size. As a cataract develops, this size grows from a few nanometers (transparent) to several micrometers (cloudy). Ansari and Datiles have shown that DLS can detect cataracts at least two to three orders of magnitude earlier noninvasively and quantitatively than the best imaging (Scheimpflug) techniques in clinical use today (ref. 3).

Ansari, Rafat R.↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Impact of the May 2024 Gannon Storm on Low Earth Orbit Dosimetric Quantities: Comparisons of the NAIRAS Model -Real Time and Re-analysis- with ISS Data

The solar storm of May 2024, the Gannon storm, led to a display of aurora over the globe. One of the less known effects of that storm is on the radiation doses in low-Earth orbit: it first led to a Forbush decrease in dose rates and then to a Solar Energetic Particle (SEP) event that increased the total dose suffered near the international space station. The Nowcast of Aerospace Ionizing RAdiation System (NAIRAS) model predicts dosimetric and radiative flux quantities for assessing human radiation exposure levels and radiation effects on flight electronic systems from the surface of the Earth to deep space. It runs in near-real-time at the CCMC, but also has a run-on-request that allows for a more precise computation thanks to carefully processed data. NAIRAS was able to compute the effects of the Gannon storm at the ISS in real-time and provide ideas of the doses encountered by the astronauts and the experiments in and outside of the station. In this work, we show the simulations of the doses encountered during the storm and compare them with several measurements at the ISS. This work shows the capabilities of NAIRAS to address the problem of the SEP events at low Earth orbit and its real-time capabilities.

Guillaume Gronoff↗
NASA NTRS1974

Effect of inelastic electron-atom collisions on the Balmer decrement

Calculation of the Balmer decrement in radiatively ionized hydrogen gas as a function of temperature and density, taking into account the effect of electron-atom collisions. It is found that once the electron density exceeds 10 to the 10th power per cu cm significant deviations from the normal radiative recombination decrement begin to occur. Implications of these results for the physical conditions in the line-emitting region of the Seyfert galaxy NGC 4151 are discussed briefly.

Adams, W. M.↗
NASA NTRS1995

Dosimetry on STS-42 with the RME APD

Beginning with the STS-42 mission, this laboratory began participating in instrument comparison studies in which space radiation was measured contiguously by passive and active methods. The active instrument was the RME-3 microdosimeter. This instrument measures four-channel LET spectra and employs a tissue-equivalent proportional counter. It is sensitive to the full LET range of ionizing radiation present. Our area passive dosimeter, the RME APD, contained arrays of plastic nuclear track detectors (PNTD's) and thermoluminescent detectors (TLD's). The PNTD's measure LET spectra, while the TLD's measure total absorbed dose. The object of this experiment is to compare the active and passive measurements on the basis of LET spectra, total absorbed dose, and dose equivalent. The STS-42 mission was launched on January 22, 1992, with a flight duration of 8.052 days. The orbit had an inclination of 57 deg and an altitude of 302 km. The shuttle in this orbit is expected to encounter radiation levels dominated by galactic cosmic rays (GCR's) with a lesser contribution from trapped protons in the lower region of the South Atlantic Anomaly (SAA).

Source record↗
NASA NTRS2013

Epidermal Homeostasis and Radiation Responses in a Multiscale Tissue Modeling Framework

The surface of skin is lined with several thin layers of epithelial cells that are maintained throughout life time by a small population of stem cells. High dose radiation exposures could injure and deplete the underlying proliferative cells and induce cutaneous radiation syndrome. In this work we propose a multiscale computational model for skin epidermal dynamics that links phenomena occurring at the subcellular, cellular, and tissue levels of organization, to simulate the experimental data of the radiation response of swine epidermis, which is closely similar to human epidermis. Incorporating experimentally measured histological and cell kinetic parameters, we obtain results of population kinetics and proliferation indexes comparable to observations in unirradiated and acutely irradiated swine experiments. At the sub-cellular level, several recently published Wnt signaling controlled cell-cycle models are applied and the roles of key components and parameters are analyzed. Based on our simulation results, we demonstrate that a moderate increase of proliferation rate for the survival proliferative cells is sufficient to fully repopulate the area denuded by high dose radiation, as long as the integrity of underlying basement membrane is maintained. Our work highlights the importance of considering proliferation kinetics as well as the spatial organization of tissues when conducting in vivo investigations of radiation responses. This integrated model allow us to test the validity of several basic biological rules at the cellular level and sub-cellular mechanisms by qualitatively comparing simulation results with published research, and enhance our understanding of the pathophysiological effects of ionizing radiation on skin.

Hu, Shaowen↗
NASA NTRS2017

Mind the Gap: Exploring the Underground of the NASA Space Cancer Risk Model

The REID quantifies the lifetime risk of death from radiation-induced cancer in an exposed astronaut. The NASA Space Cancer Risk (NSCR) 2012 mode incorporates elements from physics, biology, epidemiology, and statistics to generate the REID distribution. The current model quantifies the space radiation environment, radiation quality, and dose-rate effects to estimate a NASA-weighted dose. This weighted dose is mapped to the excess risk of radiation-induced cancer mortality from acute exposures to gamma rays and then transferred to an astronaut population. Finally, the REID is determined by integrating this risk over the individual's lifetime. The calculated upper 95% confidence limit of the REID is used to restrict an astronaut's permissible mission duration (PMD) for a proposed mission. As a statistical quantity characterized by broad, subjective uncertainties, REID estimates for space missions result in wide distributions. Currently, the upper 95% confidence level is over 350% larger than the mean REID value, which can severely limit an astronaut's PMD. The model incorporates inputs from multiple scientific disciplines in the risk estimation process. Physics and particle transport models calculate how radiation moves through space, penetrates spacecraft, and makes its way to the human beings onboard. Epidemiological studies of exposures from atomic bombings, medical treatments, and power plants are used to quantify health risks from acute and chronic low linear energy transfer (LET) ionizing radiation. Biological studies in cellular and animal models using radiation at various LETs and energies inform quality metrics for ions present in space radiation. Statistical methodologies unite these elements, controlling for mathematical and scientific uncertainty and variability. Despite current progress, these research platforms contain knowledge gaps contributing to the large uncertainties still present in the model. The NASA Space Radiation Program Element (SRPE) defines the knowledge gaps that impact our understanding of the cancer risks. These gaps are outlined in NASA's Human Research Roadmap [4], which identifies the research questions and actions recommended for reducing the uncertainty in the current NSCR model and for formulation of future models. The greatest contributors to uncertainty in the current model include radiation quality, dose rate effects, and the transfer of exposure-based risk from other populations to an astronaut population. Future formulations of the risk model may benefit from including other potential sources of uncertainty such as space dosimetry, errors in human epidemiology data, and the impact of microgravity and other spaceflight stressors. Here, we discuss the current capabilities of the NSCR-2012 model and several immediate research needs, highlighting areas expected to have an operational impact on the current model schema. The following subway-style route map outlines the NSCR-2012 model (Green Line), emphasizing the research gaps in the Human Research Roadmap for risk of radiation-induced carcinogenesis (Stops on Dashed Lines). The map diagrams how these research gaps feed specific portions of the model.

Chappell, L. J.↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Circulating miRNA Signature Predicts and Rescues Spaceflight Associated Health Risks

We have identified and validated a spaceflight-associated microRNA (miRNA) signature that is shared by rodents and humans in response to simulated and real spaceflight and regulates vascular damage by simulated deep space radiation. In previous studies, we identified miRNAs that are predicted to regulate rodent responses to spaceflight in low-Earth orbit. Here we have validated the expression of key spaceflight-associated miRNAs in rodents reacting to simulated spaceflight conditions (exposure to ionizing radiation combined with simulated microgravity) and in astronaut samples from the NASA Twin Study. We demonstrate that this circulating miRNA siganture is conserved between these different species and will serve as an ideal biomarker to monitor increase health risk due to exposure to the space environment. Lastly, to demonstrate their physiological relevance, we have utilized antagomirs to target a subset of miRNAs from the spaceflight associated signature to successfully rescue simulated deep space radiation-mediated damage in human 3D vascular constructs. These results provide strong evidence to further develop a miRNA based countermeasure in astronauts.

Afshin Beheshti↗
NASA NTRS2002

Radiation quality and tissue-specific microenvironments following exposure to 1 GeV/amu Fe

This paper summarizes quantitative in vivo laminin immunofluorescence analysis of mammary glands and skin epithelial structures from mice exposed to 1 GeV/amu Fe ions. Digital confocal microscopic images were quantified and linked to the rough "core-penumbra" Fe track physical description. Comparison to gamma-ray sparsely ionizing radiation suggested the core of the Fe track being responsible for a biological response only seen with energetic Fe particles. Conclusions for modeling in vivo responses to radiation were then implied. c2002 COSPAR. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.

NASA Discipline Radiation Health↗
NASA NTRS2020

Circulating Mirna Spaceflight Signature Reveals Targets to Mitigate Associated Health Risks

We have identified and validated a spaceflight-associated microRNA (miRNA) signature that is shared by rodents and humans in response to simulated, short-duration, and long-duration spaceflight and regulates vascular damage caused by simulated deep space radiation. In previous studies, we had identified miRNAs that are predicted to regulate rodent responses to spaceflight in low-Earth orbit. Here we have confirmed the expression of these proposed spaceflight associated miRNAs in rodents reacting to simulated spaceflight conditions (exposure to ionizing radiation combined with simulated microgravity) and in astronaut samples from the NASA Twins Study via direct quantification of miRNAs, miRNA sequencing, and inferring miRNA target levels based on single-cell RNA (scRNA-seq) and single-cell chromatin (scATAC-seq) sequencing data. To demonstrate the physiological relevance of key spaceflight associated miRNAs, we utilized antagomirs to inhibit their expression and successfully rescue simulated deep space radiation-mediated damage in human 3D vascular constructs.

Sherina Malkani↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Planned Investigations to Address Acute Central Nervous System Effects of Space Radiation Exposure with Human Performance Data

This work intends to generate evidence of acute, incremental human performance decrement similar to that due to space radiation andits impacts on the brain, to accompany ongoing human performance modeling work. The planned work will explore the boundaries of human behavioral and performance decrement after exposure to stress, which may be expected based in part on rodent responses found afterexposure to ionizing radiation. The collection of evidence via simulation studies can characterize real human errors toward determining what stress levels lead to significantly-low levels of performance (below permissible outcome limits) which would imperilmission accomplishment. If mission-relevant animal-study-linked tasks are used, human and animal performance levels may be aligned to enable quantitative assignment of permissible exposure limits based on animal exposure studies. Ultimately, a transfer function between the performances of exposed rodents and humans under stress can be developed using shared impairment mechanisms.

human performance↗
NASA NTRS1996

Investigation Into Radiation-Induced Compaction of Zerodur (trademark)

Zerodur is a low coefficient of thermal expansion glass-ceramic material. This property makes Zerodur an excellent material for high precision optical substrates. Functioning as a high precision optical substrate, a material must be dimensionally stable in the system operating environment. Published data indicate that Zerodur is dimensionally unstable when exposed to large doses of ionizing radiation. The dimensional instability is discussed as an increase in Zerodur density. This increase in density is described as a compaction. Experimental data showing proton-induced compaction of Zerodur is presented. The dependence of compaction on proton dose was determined to be a power law relationship.

Edwards, D. L.↗
NASA NTRS2002

Cancer Risk-Assessment of Radiation Damage in Ataxia Telangiectasia Heterozygous Human Breast Epithelial Cell Cultures

This paper describes the study of the markers of cellular changes that are found during the onset of carcinogenesis. Several of the biological factors are markers of stress response, oncoprotein expression, and differentiation factors. Oxidative stress response agents such as heat shock proteins (HSPs) protect cells from oxidative stresses such as ionizing radiation. The onocoprotein HER-2/neu, a specific breast cancer marker, indicates early onset of cancer. Additional structural and morphogenetic markers of differentiation were considered in order to determine initial cellular changes at the initial onset of cancer. As an additional consideration, all-trans retinoic acid (RA), a differentiation agent, was considered because of its known role in regulating normal differentiation and inhibiting tumor proliferation via specific nuclear receptors. This paper discusses study and results of the preliminary analyses of gamma irradiation of AT heterozygous human breast epithelial cells (WH). Comparisons are also made of the effects various RA concentrations post-irradiation.

Lisa C. Applewhite↗
DOE OSTI2021

Development of Fe 3 O 4 core–TiO 2 shell nanocomposites and nanoconjugates as a foundation for neuroblastoma radiosensitization

Neuroblastoma is the most common extracranial solid malignancy in childhood which, despite the current progress in radiotherapy and chemotherapy protocols, still has a high mortality rate in high risk tumors. Nanomedicine offers exciting and unexploited opportunities to overcome the shortcomings of conventional medicine. The photocatalytic properties of Fe 3 O 4 core-TiO 2 shell nanocomposites and their potential for cell specific targeting suggest that nanoconstructs produced using Fe 3 O 4 core-TiO 2 shell nanocomposites could be used to enhance radiation effects in neuroblastoma. In this study, we evaluated bare, metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) and 3,4-Dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) coated Fe 3 O4@TiO 2 as potential radiosensitizers for neuroblastoma in vitro. The uptake of bare and MIBG coated nanocomposites modestly sensitized neuroblastoma cells to ionizing radiation. Conversely, cells exposed to DOPAC coated nanocomposites exhibited a five-fold enhanced sensitivity to radiation, increased numbers of radiation induced DNA double-strand breaks, and apoptotic cell death. The addition of a peptide mimic of the epidermal growth factor (EGF) to nanoconjugates coated with MIBG altered their intracellular distribution. Cryo X-ray fluorescence microscopy tomography of frozen hydrated cells treated with these nanoconjugates revealed cytoplasmic as well as nuclear distribution of the nanoconstructs. The intracellular distribution pattern of different nanoconjugates used in this study was different for different nanoconjugate surface molecules. Cells exposed to DOPAC covered nanoconjugates showed the smallest nanoconjugate uptake, with the most prominent pattern of large intracellular aggregates. Interestingly, cells treated with this nanoconjugate also showed the most pronounced radiosensitization effect in combination with the external beam x-ray irradiation. Further studies are necessary to evaluate mechanistic basis for this increased radiosensitization effect. Preliminary studies with the nanoparticles carrying an EGF mimicking peptide showed that this approach to targeting could perhaps be combined with a different approach to radiosensitization – use of nanoconjugates in combination with the radioactive iodine. Much additional work will be necessary in order to evaluate possible benefits of targeted nanoconjugates carrying radionuclides.

77 NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY↗
NASA NTRS1998

Pulsations, Shocks, and Mass Loss

This grant provided long-term support for my investigation of the outflows powered by young stars. Several major research results emerged during the course of this research, including: (1) The discovery of giant Herbig-Haro outflows from young stars that can extend for many parsecs from their sources. The first parsec-scale outflow to be recognized led to the realization that Herbig-Haro outflows, even those produced by low mass young stellar objects, can extend orders of magnitude farther from their sources than previously thought. Our preconceptions were to a large extent driven by the narrow fields-of-view then provided by CCD detectors. With the recent advent of large format CCDs and CCD mosaics, we have come to realize that most outflows attain parsec-scale dimensions. Even at the distance of the Orion star forming clouds, such flows can subtend a degree on the sky. Our work has led to the recognition of over two dozen giant. (2) The discovery that outflows are highly clustered. Even regions of relatively isolated star formation such as those in Taurus frequently produce multiple outflows. (3) The discovery of a new family of externally irradiated jets. During the last year of support from this grant, we made the startling discovery that there is a class of jets from young stars that are illuminated by the ionizing radiation field of nearby massive stars. The first four examples were discovered in the vicinity of the a Orionis sub-group of the Orion OB Association which is believed to be at least 2 million years old. Since the jets are photo-ionized, their densities can be reliably estimated. Most HH jets are shock excited, and are therefore notoriously difficult to characterize since their visibility and observed properties depend on the complex and highly non-linear processes associated with shocks. Furthermore, many irradiated jets are one sided rather than bipolar. Thus, irradiated jets may for the first time be used to accurately diagnose jet densities and mass loss rates, and to probe the physics of jet collimation, and may indicate that the jet production phase of certain young stars may last more than a million years. These three discoveries provide us with fundamental new insights into the star formation process, into the physical conditions inside and near star forming clouds, and into new ways to probe the physics and chemistry of such clouds.

Bally, John↗
NASA NTRS2018

Simulated Space Radiation and Weightlessness: Vascular-Bone Coupling Mechanisms to Preserve Skeletal Health

We examined experimentally the effects of radiation and/or simulated weightlessness by hindlimb unloading on bone and blood vessel function either after a short period or at a later time after transient exposures in adult male, C57Bl6J mice. In sum, recent findings from our studies show that in the short term, ionizing radiation and simulate weightlessness cause greater deficits in blood vessels when combined compared to either challenge alone. In the long term, heavy ion radiation, but not unloading, can lead to persistent, adverse consequences for bone and vessel function, possibly due to oxidative stress-related pathways.

microgravity↗