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Study: Astronauts Who Reach Deep Space 'Far More Likely To Die From Heart Disease' (independent.co.uk)
An anonymous reader quotes a report from The Independent: Astronauts who venture into deep space appear to be much more likely to die from heart disease, according to a new study. In another sign that leaving planet Earth is fraught with danger and a potential blow to hopes of establishing a colony on Mars, researchers discovered deep space radiation appears to damage the body's cardiovascular system. They reported that three out of the seven dead Apollo astronauts died as a result of a cardiovascular disease, such as a heart attack or stroke. Although the numbers are small, that rate of 43 percent is four to five times higher than found among astronauts who flew in low Earth orbit or who did not actually go into space, according to a paper in the journal Scientific Reports. In an attempt to test whether the higher numbers of cardiovascular deaths were simply a statistical blip or a genuine sign of the effect of traveling into deep space, the scientists exposed mice to the same type of radiation that the astronauts would have experienced. After six months, which is the equivalent of 20 human years, the mice showed damage to arteries that is known to lead to the development of cardiovascular disease in humans.
In an attempt to test whether the higher numbers of cardiovascular deaths were simply a statistical blip or a genuine sign of the effect of traveling into deep space, the scientists exposed mice to the same type of radiation that the astronauts would have experienced. After six months, which is the equivalent of 20 human years, the mice showed damage to arteries that is known to lead to the development of cardiovascular disease in humans.
Well, no. The scientists slammed the mice with ~6-12 months' worth of radiation in ten minutes. Yeah, they probably had artery damage. Stuff like that happens when you stick a mouse in the microwave.
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No they didn't. Luckily there is such a bright mind as yourself to point the obvious...
If you read the article (yeah, I know, who does?) they used all other lower orbit astronauts as a control group, who had similar diets, smoking and drinking habits and level of fitness and stress.
which is why they used lower earth orbit astronauts as a control group. (I know, I cheated, I actually read the article).
They reported that three out of the seven dead Apollo astronauts...
I count eight
Alan Shepard
Edgar Mitchel
Jack Swigert
James Irwin
Neil Armstrong
Pete Conrad
Ronald Evans
Stuart Roosa
Pete Conrad died in a motorcycle accident. Is that justification to exclude him? With him, the rate drops to 37%. Regardless, if we wait a decade or so the sample size will be much higher.
Being able to achieve an erection is not more important than treating Heart Disease with little to no side effects.
Well I guess that's ironic.(Then again someone will correct me if this isn't really an example of irony.) I mean it sounds like he's complaining about Viagra. For those that don't know the pill that gives old dudes woodies was originally developed as an anti-high blood pressure medicine. Yes, really. (Researchers noticed the side effects and somebody saw an opportunity.)
Did you know 80 to 90% of the moderators on slashdot wouldn't recognize a troll even if one dragged them under a bridge.
The Apollo 1 crew didn't either, sorry to be a dick about your legitimate point.
Aside from that, Wikipedia is your friend! https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Apollo_astronauts
Pete Conrad, Apollo 12, died age 69.
Alan Shepherd, Apollo 12, died age 74.
James Irwin, Apollo 15, died age 61.
Jack Swigert, Apollo 13, died age 51.
Stu Roosa, Apollo 14 CMP, died age 61
Ron Evans, Apollo 17 CMP, died age 56
Evans, the youngest death, died of a heart attack but I didn't check the others.
Neil Armstrong and Ed Mitchell died in their 80s.
Another 19 Apollo astronauts are still alive. All of them are in their 80s with the oldest being Jim Lovell at 88.
There were other Apollo selected astronauts if I'm not mistaken and I could have trivial facts about this wrong.