Kidney Stone Growth in Space

Co-Principal Investigators: Kara Dauel and Breann ZimmerKidney Stone Growth in SpacePleasanton High SchoolLets Go on a Journey!Learn From The PastOregon TrailFoodHealthTransportation

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wagon_trainUsing the past to guide the future, when we first began our mission to Mars, we were challenged to learn from adventures of the past by asking the question, What concerns do we have for traveling into unknown territory? For example, the travelers on the Oregon Trail faced many hardships that they had to prepare for before they began their journey. As a group, we identified the challenges that faced early travelers. These concerns included food preservation, health and wellness, dealing with illnesses, and transportation.

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http://www.space.com/19982-private-mars-mission-gallery-inspiration.htmlFor early travelers on the Oregon Trail, the plains of Nebraska probably ignited feelings similar to those we have about Mars today. The territory was vast, unknown, and yet held a world of possibilities. Thinking about early travelers helped frame our question for future travelers to Mars. Space Travel ConcernsMentality (anticipate)How?Food?Health?

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http://bigwol.com/3d-red-button-wallpapers-for-android/We need to anticipate the problems of the future of space expeditions like those who traveled the Oregon Trail. How will we get there? What will we eat? And what will be the impact on our overall health as we travel? After asking these questions, we settled on the topic of health and wellness. Health and WellnessKidney InternationalStone growthDifferent in microgravity

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kidney_stoneAs we began to explore health and wellness in microgravity, we came across an article submitted by Kidney International which reported a higher incident of kidney stones for astronauts. We began to wonder if microgravity had an impact on kidney stone growth. Thus, we formed our hypothesis: Kidney stones form differently in microgravity. Replicating Kidney Stones Dr. Frank KovacsUNKCalcium ChlorideOxalic Acid

After formulating our hypothesis, the next step was to research how to replicate kidney stones in a lab environment. We teamed up with Dr. Frank Kovacs, associate professor of chemistry, at the University of Nebraska at Kearney. Through our collaborative investigation we came up with our solutions in order to create our kidney stones. To replicate kidney stone chemical composition, we used the solutions calcium chloride and oxalic acid. In order to keep the two solutions separated until microgravity, we used FME tube type 3. In volume 1 we put our double-distilled water calcium chloride solution, in volume 2 we put double-distilled water oxalic acid solution, and volume 3, was filled with air. SSEP Mission 3

After a few trial and errors, our experiment was prepared for blast off! This is the mission patch that represented Pleasanton High School in space. It was drawn by Jasmine Tapia, an 8th grader at PHS.Earth vs. Space

1234After examining the images under a microscope at 600 times magnification, we found noticeable differences between those formed in microgravity and those formed on Earth. Image number 1 shows the crystals grown on Earth and are fully polarized to show the crystalline structure. Image number two shows Earth crystals with no polarization. As you can see, the crystals grown on Earth tend to form a bond. Image number 3 shows the microgravity crystals at half polarization and image number four is of the microgravity crystals with no polarization. Just by looking at these images, you can see the microgravity crystals branch out more than those grown on Earth. In fact, during analysis we struggled to determine whether or not the microgravity crystals were completely bonded because during observation, they were still mobile.

PolarizedNon-polarizedPictured here are some of the crystals grown in microgravity. As you can see, the aggregates are very box-like. This formation is unique only to those crystals grown in microgravity. Conclusions Ground TruthClumpsMicrogravityBranched out Smaller in sizeIn conclusion, microgravity affected the way in which the crystals bonded. The ground truth crystals appeared to be in clumps of smaller crystal and were attracted and seemed completely bonded. The microgravity aggregates were more extended and branched out instead of clumping. They also appeared to lack the bonding displayed by ground truth crystal growth. Implications Raises More QuestionsAdditional Research Needed

http://www.end-your-sleep-deprivation.com/astronauts-sleeping-in-space.htmlOur experiment was just an initial step in exploring kidney stone formation in space. Now that we know that microgravity does affect the overall structure, additional questions are raised. What affect does this modified structure have on kidney stone growth? Does the lack of bonding increase or decrease ones chances of developing stones? Additional research in the area will be needed to answer such questions as we explore the concerns of future space travelers. Thank You to OurPartner Institutions!Participation in the SSEP program was only possible through the support provided by the following individuals and institutions:Pleasanton Public SchoolsCallaway Public SchoolNebraska Space Grant ConsortiumThe Sherwood FoundationDr. Frank Kovacs, University of Nebraska-KearneyNebraska EPSCoR Science Outreach: Molecular Biology for Secondary ClassroomsCreighton University Department of BiologyBuffalo County Community PartnersCallaway District HospitalKearney Eye Institute