Neatorama » zero gravity http://www.neatorama.com The Neat Side of the Web Wed, 15 Feb 2012 02:48:48 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 Human Procreation in Space Could Be Dangerous http://www.neatorama.com/2010/10/14/human-procreation-in-space-could-be-dangerous/ http://www.neatorama.com/2010/10/14/human-procreation-in-space-could-be-dangerous/#comments Thu, 14 Oct 2010 20:17:29 +0000 John Farrier http://www.neatorama.com/?p=37203 You may want to reconsider getting pregnant (or impregnating someone) while in space. Low or zero gravity may impair the development of healthy embryos:

Microgravity apparently tampers with stem cells, which all other cells originate from. Stem cells normally act as a repair system for the body by replenishing its tissues.[...]

After this experiment, the cells showed vast differences on the molecular level, with 64 percent of their proteins differing from those grown under normal gravity. Specifically, these microgravity-exposed cells generated more proteins that degrade bone and fewer proteins with antioxidant effects. Antioxidants protect against reactive oxidants that can damage DNA.

Link via io9 | Photo: NASA

]]> http://www.neatorama.com/2010/10/14/human-procreation-in-space-could-be-dangerous/feed/ 4 Sipping Coffee from a Cup in Zero Gravity http://www.neatorama.com/2010/07/12/sipping-coffee-from-a-cup-in-zero-gravity/ http://www.neatorama.com/2010/07/12/sipping-coffee-from-a-cup-in-zero-gravity/#comments Mon, 12 Jul 2010 15:15:15 +0000 John Farrier http://www.neatorama.com/?p=33418

(YouTube Link)

We’ve previously featured the neat videos of astronaut Don Pettit showing how a CD player becomes a gyroscope in space, adding Alka-Seltzer to a spherical drop of water, showing the Aurora Borealis from space, and drinking drops of tea with a pair of chopsticks. In this video, Pettit shows how it’s possible to sip a coffee in zero gravity from a specially-designed lidless cup.

via The Presurfer | Biography of Pettit

]]> http://www.neatorama.com/2010/07/12/sipping-coffee-from-a-cup-in-zero-gravity/feed/ 1 In Microgravity, a CD Player Becomes a Gyroscope http://www.neatorama.com/2009/05/24/in-microgravity-a-cd-player-becomes-a-gyroscope/ http://www.neatorama.com/2009/05/24/in-microgravity-a-cd-player-becomes-a-gyroscope/#comments Sun, 24 May 2009 18:00:35 +0000 Queuebot http://www.neatorama.com/2009/05/24/in-microgravity-a-cd-player-becomes-a-gyroscope/

[YouTube - Link]


NASA International Space Station Science Officer Don Pettit demonstrates how a spinning CD acts as a stabilizing gyroscope in microgravity.  When two and three CD players are combined in perpendicular planes, they provide a relatively stable platform.

– via reddit

From the Upcoming ueue, submitted by Minnesotastan.

]]> http://www.neatorama.com/2009/05/24/in-microgravity-a-cd-player-becomes-a-gyroscope/feed/ 16 Space cat in zero gravity http://www.neatorama.com/2009/01/11/space-cat-in-zero-gravity/ http://www.neatorama.com/2009/01/11/space-cat-in-zero-gravity/#comments Mon, 12 Jan 2009 01:24:10 +0000 Adam Stanhope http://www.neatorama.com/2009/01/11/space-cat-in-zero-gravity/

For security reasons, we must remain circumspect about exactly how this video got to Neatorama headquarters from outer-space. It’s footage of an act almost as heinous and terrifying as cat juggling. This time, it’s a cat in zero gravity.

Note that the audio has been removed to protect the innocent.

Courage.

[YouTube]

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