Scientists studied the effects of weightlessness in ...

INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION - In addition to supplying spare parts and consumables to the International Space Station Shuttle Atlantis has another, lesser known mission. Scientists hope that they learn in space will help millions of people at risk of osteoporosis on Earth. On board lasix and heart failure the shuttle for 30 mice, now floating in microgravity. Half of them were treated with an experimental osteoporosis drug, half placebo. Mice were sent a group of researchers led by Dr. Ted University of North Carolina Bateman, an expert on bone loss during space flight. "Astronauts lose bone at a rapid pace for at least five times the rate at which women lose bone here on Earth," he explained. This is because the bones are designed to keep us under the pressure of gravity on Earth. In space, bones do not get pressure, they should develop, leading to bone loss. Space exploration has played a key role in studies of osteoporosis. Scientists studied the effects of microgravity on bone and muscle in 1970. This is an ideal environment for the latest research Bateman. "Existing drugs stop the bone loss. This product can hope to build new bone and bone weight, "he said. Increased bone mass effectively combat osteoporosis. If achieved this would be another step forward for the world of medicine. The research team will study mouse skeletons when they return to Earth and expects that at least preliminary results this fall. (Y Copyright 2011 NBC Universal, all rights reserved).