新奇事件簿 航天飞行中宇航员大脑改变形状
Researchers from the University of Michigan in the USA have found that the brain of astronauts changes shape during spaceflight. It is the first study to look into how the brain changes on the journey into space. Researchers looked at pictures of the brains of 26 astronauts who spent time in space. The photos were taken by high-tech medical machines called MRIs. Twelve of the astronauts spent two weeks as Space Shuttle crew members, and 14 spent six months on the International Space Station. All of them experienced increases and decreases in the size of different parts of the brain. The researchers said that the longer an astronaut spent in space, the bigger the differences in size were.
美国密歇根大学的研究人员发现，在航天飞行的过程中，宇航员的大脑会改变形状。这是观察太空旅行大脑变化的首例研究。研究人员查看了经历太空飞行的26名宇航员的大脑照片。这些照片是由高科技医疗仪器MRI拍摄的。其中12名宇航员作为航天飞机机组人员在太空中度过了两周，14名宇航员在国际空间站度过了六个月。所有宇航员大脑的不同部位都出现了增大或缩小。研究人员表示，宇航员在太空中的时间越长，体积的变化越大。
The research produced some interesting findings. The researchers explained that, "gravity is not available to pull fluids down in the body". This means there is a shift in the position of the brain inside the skull. The brain becomes either more squashed or bigger in size. The findings could help doctors in the future to treat problems that affect the brain's function. One possibility is to treat people who develop problems caused by long-term bed rest. Another possibility is to treat those who have a build-up of fluid in the brain, which can lead to brain damage. The researchers also say we will understand more about how neurons in the brain make connections. In addition, the findings will help future space travelers on their journey to Mars.
研究有一些有趣的发现。研究人员解释说，“太空中没有重力，不能让体内的液体向下流动”。这意味着颅骨内大脑的位置会发生改变。大脑的体积会压缩或增大。该发现未来可以帮助医生治疗影响大脑功能的一些疾病。一个可能性是治疗长期卧床的病人的疾病。另外一个可能性是治疗脑积水造成的脑损伤的病人。研究人员还表示，我们将能更好地理解大脑神经元是如何联系的。此外，这些发现还能帮助未来火星之旅的宇航员。
