"Medical Benefits of Aerospace Research," an exhibit prepared by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration NASA, will open Monday, April 28, at the School of Medicine's Harvey Cushing/John Hay Whitney Library, 333 Cedar St.
The Yale exhibit, which marks the first time this show will be displayed at a medical school, "brings innovative insights into the practical applications of space science research which become the forerunners of newer aids in the diagnosis and treatment of patients," says Dr. Martin E. Gordon, chair of the board of trustees of the Associates of the Cushing/Whitney Library, which is sponsoring the exhibit.
"Microgravity experiments in space already have produced purified crystallized proteins that will herald better drug treatments. Cancer cells can be cultured in the space capsules that accurately mimic the growth formation in humans," adds Dr. Gordon, who is also clinical professor of medicine
NASA administrator Daniel S. Goldin will be on hand for the opening of the exhibit at 3:30 p.m. in the library's Cushing Rotunda, and will present a talk on "Medicine and NASA" at 4 p.m. See related story, below. Also on hand for the ceremony will be Dr. Gordon, Dr. Ronald C. Merrell, the Lampman Professor of Surgery and departmental chair who has traveled to Moscow as a consultant for NASA on telemedicine projects in Russia; and Sabatino Sofia, professor and chair of the department of astronomy and associate director of the university's Center for Solar and Space Research.
Since the earliest days of the space program, NASA technology has generated health-related "spin-off" products, note NASA officials. These include new composite materials, digital imaging systems and remote monitoring of vital signs that are routinely used in hospitals and clinics throughout the United States. Today, the NASA staff works directly with industry to develop new biomedical products, from improved forceps for delivering babies to reading aids for blind people.
By transferring know-how to the private sector, NASA officials say, they help to create tomorrow's medical technology. For example, what started as an effort by scientists at the Goddard Space Center to improve Hubble Space Telescope images has led to a new, less- invasive technique for conducting breast biopsies that uses digital cameras and a needle, rather than a surgeon's knife -- thereby avoiding pain, scarring and expense to patients.
Monitoring astronauts health from afar has always been a primary responsibility for NASA physicians. Now, the same techniques pioneered for space telemedicine are proving useful for health care in rural areas, disaster relief and other applications, note NASA officials. By transmitting digital images, X-rays or other data over satellite links, physicians in the field or in small communities can collaborate with their colleagues at large urban medical centers. This process -- called telemedicine -- has already been credited with bringing high-quality health care to remote locations.
Among the other medical spin-offs that NASA lists among its discoveries are the neuropacemaker, invisible and spinal braces, pharmaceutical research in microgravity, blood pressure checker, automated urinalysis, bone analyzer, portable dental system, infant radiant warmer, bladder monitor, temperature pill, bacteria counter, X-ray imaging system, talking wheelchair and brain pressure monitoring.
For the Yale exhibit, the Johnson Space Center has created a special videotape illustrating current space capsule experiments. The Hughes Danbury Optical Corp. in Danbury, Connecticut, also has contributed original material, including blueprints, demonstration optics, a hologram and a minaturized model of the Hubble Space Telescope, with examples of the galactic images it has captured. The Perkin-Elmer and Corning Glass companies have provided assistance in other phases of the exhibit.
The Associates of the Cushing/Whitney Library is an organization of faculty and national friends that has provided significant support to the library since 1948. Members have contributed funds for acquiring additional scientific journal subscriptions and rare books, and supporting the expansion of the computer Training and Consultation Center's activities.
"Medical Benefits of Aerospace Research" will be on view through May 15. The exhibit is free and open to the public during library hours: Monday-Thursday, 8 a.m.-midnight; Friday, 8 a.m.-10 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. -7 p.m.; and Sunday, 11 a.m. -midnight.
Talk by NASA administrator to highlight exhibit opening
Daniel S. Goldin, administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration NASA, will address the Associates of the Harvey Cushing/John Hay Whitney Medical Library and the University community on Monday, April 28, on the topic "Medicine and NASA."
In his talk, he will emphasize NASA and the science and technology revolution of the 21st century. The talk, which coincides with the annual meeting of the Library Associates, will begin at 4 p.m. and will be held in the Medical Historical Library, 333 Cedar St.
Preceding his lecture, Mr. Goldin will participate in a ceremony marking the opening of a NASA exhibit on "Medical Benefits of Aerospace Research," at 3:30 p.m. in the library's Cushing Rotunda. See related story, above.
In addition to demonstrating how NASA is reinventing itself as it prepares for the 21st century, the exhibit also shows how "change" has become a watchword at NASA since Mr. Goldin became administrator in 1992. The average cost of building a new spacecraft has dropped from $600 million to $200 million, and the design and construction time has been reduced an average of six years.
During his first three years, Mr. Goldin cut the budget 36 percent and reduced the agency's infrastructure. He also introduced 21 new "faster, better, cheaper" high-technology projects.
Before coming to NASA, Mr. Goldin was vice president and general manager of TRW Space & Technology Group in Redondo Beach, California. At TRW, he managed the development of more than a dozen spacecraft and associated advanced technologies and space science instruments. He was previously a research scientist with NASA's Lewis Research Center in Cleveland, where he worked on advanced electric propulsion systems for human interplanetary travel.