PubMed Health⌕ Search

SEARCH · PubMed Health

Results for “Biological Science Disciplines”

Explore indexed PubMed citations for clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health research. Read source abstracts and follow each citation to its original PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 253 records · Page 14Linked to original sources

National Workshop on Astrobiology: the life science involvement of AAS-I Laben.

The search for traces of past and present life is a complex and multidisciplinary research activity involving several scientific heritages and a specific industrial ability for planetary exploration. Laben was established in 1958 to design and manufacture electronic instruments for research in nuclear physics. In the mid 2004 the company was merged with Alenia Spazio. It is now part of Alcatel Alenia Space, a French Italian joint venture. Alcatel Alenia Space Italia SpA is a Finmeccanica Company. Currently the plant of Vimodrone provides a wide heritage in life science oriented to space application. The experience in Space Life Science is consolidated in the following research areas: (1) Physiology: Mouse models related to studies on human physiology Human neuroscience research and dosimetry (2) Animal Adaptation and Behaviour: mice behaviour related to stabling stress (3) Developmental Biology: aquatic microorganisms cultivation (4) Cell culture & Biotechnology: Protein crystal growth General purpose Multiwell Next Biotechnology studies and development: Bio reactor, mainly oriented to tissue engineering Microsensor for tissue control (organ replacement) Multiwell for adherent cell culture or for automated biosensor based on cell culture Experiment Container for organic systems Experiment Container for small animals Instrumentation based on fluorescent Biosensors Sensors for Life science experiments for Biopan capsule and Space Vehicle Ray Shielding Materials Random Positioning Machine specialisation (Support ground equipment) The biological features of this heritage is at disposal for the exobiology multi science. The involvement of industries, from the beginning of the exobiology projects, allows a cost effective technologies closed loop development between Research Centres, Principal Investigators and industry.

Animals↗

An analysis of moral issues affecting patenting inventions in the life sciences: a European perspective.

Following the 1980 US Supreme Court decision to allow a patent on a living organism, debate has continued on the moral issues involved in biotechnology patents of many kinds and remains a contentious issue for those opposed to the use of biotechnology in industry and agriculture. Attitudes to patenting in the life sciences, including those of the research scientists themselves, are analysed. The relevance of morality to patent law is discussed here in an international context with particular reference to the law of the European Patent Convention administered by the European Patent Office (EPO). The EPO has been the principal forum for opposition to such patents and the few cases under dispute in the EPO are reviewed, including patents for the onco-mouse, human relaxin gene, and the PGS herbicidally resistant plant (gmo). Morality provisions in the European Parliament and Council Directive 98/44/EC are also summarised.

Animals↗

Notes on a pilgrimage to science: a fly on the wall.

The paper is a set of reflections on the moral culture of modern biology built around the author's experience as a participant observer in two university laboratories. I draw parallels between laboratory culture and organized religion and point out practical problems in conducting scientific research. The notion that good biologists must be atheists is questioned and failures of organized religion are noted. The paper concludes with a suggestion that research ethics should be rooted in laboratory practice and must include vigorous principles of honesty and justice. Those are not requirements imposed from outside but internal requirements of the research community.

Biological Science Disciplines↗

Spacelab concept and its utilization for science.

The first part of the paper is devoted to the presentation of the Spacelab concepts, for which detailed design studies are at present being carried out by ESRO. The second part concentrates on the utilization of the Spacelab for the various fields of science, namely: (1) Atmospheric and space plasma physics, (2) Astronomy and astrophysics, (3) Material science and (4) Life sciences. The advantages of using the Spacelab for observations in these fields as compared to conventional automated satellites are highlighted.

Astronomy↗

Development of Skylab medical equipment and flight preparations.

The purpose of this report is to provide an introduction and overview of the Skylab medical program. Some of the more important medical systems and equipment provided for crew sustenance are described. The major inflight medical experiments are reviewed, and the test programs are discussed. The medical operations procedures and the techniques used to monitor crew health are reviewed to provide an understanding of the medical management of this complex mission.

Aerospace Medicine↗

Engineering and simulation of life sciences Spacelab experiments.

The third in a series of Spacelab Mission Development tests was conducted at the Johnson (correction of Johnston) Space Center as a part of the development of Life Sciences experiments for the Space Shuttle era. The latest test was a joint effort of the Ames Research and Johnson Space Centers and utilized animals and men for study. The basic objective of this test was to evaluate the operational concepts planned for the Space Shuttle life science payloads program. A three-man crew (Mission Specialist and two Payload Specialists) conducted 26 experiments and 12 operational tests, which were selected for this 7-day mission simulation. The crew lived on board a simulated Orbiter/Spacelab mockup 24 hr a day. The Orbiter section contained the mid deck crew quarters area, complete with sleeping, galley and waste management provisions. The Spacelab was identical in geometry to the European Space Agency Spacelab design, complete with removable rack sections and stowage provisions. Communications between the crewmen and support personnel were configured and controlled as currently planned for operational shuttle flights. For this test a Science Operations Remote Center was manned at the Ames Research Center and was managed by simulated Mission Control and Payload Operation Control Centers at the Johnson Space Center. This paper presents the test objectives, description of the facilities and test program, and the results of this test.

Animals↗

U.S. biological experiments in space.

Past U.S. space biological experiments in space, using non-human specimens, are discussed and evaluated. Current plans for future experimentation in this field are also given.

Adaptation, Physiological↗

Future investigations onboard Soviet biosatellites of the Cosmos series.

Many rat experiments onboard Cosmos biosatellites have furnished information concerning the effects of weightlessness, artificial gravity, and ionizing radiation combined with weightlessness on structural and biochemical parameters of the animal body. The necessity to expand the scope of physiological investigations has led to the project of flight primate studies. It is planned to carry out the first primate experiments onboard the Cosmos biosatellite in 1982. At present investigations of weightlessness effects on the cardiovascular and vestibular systems, higher nervous activity, skeletal muscles and biorhythms of two rhesus monkeys are being developed and tested. It is also planned to conduct a study of weightlessness effects on embryogenesis of rats and bioenergetics of living systems onboard the same biosatellite. Further experiments onboard Cosmos biosatellites are planned.

Adaptation, Physiological↗

Utilisation of the European Retrieval Carrier Eureca for life science research.

Eureca, the European Retrieval Carrier, is a reusable free-flying platform, which will be launched to 500 km altitude and retrieved by the Shuttle. up to 6 months later at 300 km. The first mission of Eureca is dedicated to research in the fields of life sciences and material sciences. The experimental hardware of the first mission will consist of a variety of processing chambers for crystal growth and equipment for biological investigations viz plant growth and protein crystallization, and there is the possibility to perform experiments in the field of exobiology. The Eureca mission offers the opportunity for long time exposure of material and of terrestrial origin to the unique environment of space or to selected factors of it, such as the radiation environment, the space vacuum, extreme temperatures and microgravity conditions.

Biological Science Disciplines↗

Scientific investigations at a lunar base.

Scientific investigations to be carried out at a lunar base can have significant impact on the location, extent, and complexity of lunar surface facilities. Among the potential research activities to be carried out are: (1) Lunar Science: Studies of the origin and history of the Moon and early solar system, based on lunar field investigations, operation of networks of seismic and other instruments, and collection and analysis of materials; (2) Space Plasma Physics: Studies of the time variation of the charged particles of the solar wind, solar flares and cosmic rays that impact the Moon as it moves in and out of the magnetotail of the Earth; (3) Astronomy: Utilizing the lunar environment and stability of the surface to emplace arrays of astronomical instruments across the electromagnetic spectrum to improve spectral and spatial resolution by several orders of magnitude beyond the Hubble Space Telescope and other space observatories; (4) Fundamental physics and chemistry: Research that takes advantage of the lunar environment, such as high vacuum, low magnetic field, and thermal properties to carry out new investigations in chemistry and physics. This includes material sciences and applications; (5) Life Sciences: Experiments, such as those that require extreme isolation, highly sterile conditions, or very low natural background of organic materials may be possible; and (6) Lunar environmental science: Because many of the experiments proposed for the lunar surface depend on the special environment of the Moon, it will be necessary to understand the mechanisms that are active and which determine the major aspects of that environment, particularly the maintenance of high-vacuum conditions. From a large range of experiments, investigations and facilities that have been suggested, three specific classes of investigations are described in greater detail to show how site selection and base complexity may be affected: (1) Extended geological investigation of a complex region up to 250 kilometers from the base requires long range mobility, with transportable life support systems and laboratory facilities for the analysis of rocks and soil. Selection of an optimum base site would depend heavily on an evaluation of the degree to which science objectives could be met. These objectives could include lunar cratering, volcanism, resource surveys or other investigations; (2) An astronomical observatory initially instrumented with a VLF radio telescope, but later expanding to include other instruments, requires site preparation capability, "line shack" life support systems, instrument maintenance and storage facilities, and sortie mode transportation. A site perpetually shielded from Earth is optimum for the advanced stages of a lunar observatory; (3) an experimental physics laboratory conducting studies requiring high vacuum facilities and heavily instrumented experiments, is not highly dependent on lunar location, but will require much more flexibility in experiment operation and EVA capability, and more sophisticated instrument maintenance and fabrication facilities.

Astronomical Phenomena↗

Medical concerns for exploration-class missions.

The Space Exploration Initiative will challenge life scientists with a diverse set of crew medical risks. The varied sources of this cumulative risk are identified and briefly discussed in terms of risk assessment and preliminary plans for risk management. The roles of Space Station Freedom and other flight programs are discussed in the context of exploration medical objectives; and the significant differences between Space Station era (second generation) and exploration medical support systems (third generation) are reviewed.

Aerospace Medicine↗

Spacelab program's scientific benefits to mankind.

This paper describes the Spacelab program's scientific accomplishments during the past 10 years, highlighting major scientific accomplishments. An overview of Spacelab systems performance, significant issues, and utilization and operations activities applicable to the space station era is presented.

Aerospace Medicine↗

NASA science utilization plans for the Space Station.

The Mir-1 and International Space Station Alpha capabilities present the science community with unique long duration platforms to conduct a wide range of scientific research in the microgravity and life sciences as well as in the observational sciences, NASA is developing plans to use the capabilities of Mir and Space Station as they emerge during the development of the orbital program. In both cases the planned science utilization programs take advantage of the volume, crew, power, microgravity and logistics resupply unique to each phase. The paper will present these utilization plans in the context of an evolving scientific program.

Animals↗

The slow rotating centrifuge microscope NIZEMI--a versatile instrument for terrestrial hypergravity and space microgravity research in biology and materials science.

NIZEMI (slow rotating centrifuge microscope) is a tool for optical investigations of small biological and non-biological specimens during variable accelerations. Two laboratory models for ground research designed for accelerations from 1 to 5 x g and 10 x g respectively are used for terrestrial research, especially in gravitational biology. A space facility was developed and built for the Spacelab mission IML-2 during which eight experiments were performed successfully. The specifications and topic design features of the NIZEMI models are presented in this paper.

Biological Science Disciplines↗

Parasitology tutoring system: a hypermedia computer-based application.

The teaching of parasitology is a basic course in all life sciences curricula, and up to now no computer-assisted tutoring system has been developed for this purpose. By using Knowledge Pro, an object-oriented software development tool, a hypermedia tutoring system for teaching parasitology to college students was developed. Generally, a tutoring system contains a domain expert, a student model, a pedagogical expert and the user interface. In this project, particular emphasis was given to the user interface design and the expert knowledge representation. The system allows access to the educational material through hypermedia and indexing at the pace of the student. The hypermedia access is facilitated through key words defined as hypertext and objects in pictures defined as hyper-areas. The indexing access is based on a list of parameters that refers to various characteristics of the parasites, e.g. taxonomy, host, organ, etc. In addition, this indexing access can be used for testing the student's level of understanding. The advantages of this system are its user-friendliness, graphical interface and ability to incorporate new educational material in the area of parasitology.

Artificial Intelligence↗