Upward Volume 7, Issue 3 Available Now

In this issue’s cover story, see how discoveries from ISS research could lead to a new way to treat all types of cancer. Other features discuss how scientists grew brain organoids in microgravity to test a new precision treatment for neurological conditions and how an innovative radiation protection vest designed for astronauts could help make future space exploration safer.

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A neuron, or nerve cell, consists of a cell body, short extensions called dendrites, and a long arm called an axon that branches off into axon terminals. For messages to be sent from one neuron to another, an electrical signal travels down the axon, and the axon terminals pass an electrochemical signal to the dendrites of other neurons.

November 13, 2024

From Viral Villain to Gene Therapy Hero: Assembling 3D Brain Organoids in Space to Advance...

In the classic dichotomy of hero versus villain, everything is black and white. Heroes are brave, noble, and the epitome of...

Upward 
A view of the AstroRad vest in the Cupola module onboard the space station

November 13, 2024

Armor for Astronauts: Developing High-Tech Wearable Radiation Shields

Drifting weightlessly onboard the International Space Station (ISS), NASA astronaut Kayla Barron carefully pulls on an...

Upward 
Immunofluorescence image of breast cancer cells (MCF 7) treated with a MicroQuin therapeutic taken at 100x magnification. The staining of the cell shows a normal nucleus (blue) with the endoplasmic reticulum (green) localized of the cell showing significant vacuolation. This image shows a unique form of cell death, known as paraptosis, induced by MicroQuins therapeutics which offers a unique treatment for cancer.

October 17, 2024

Orbital Oncology: 3D Cell Cultures in Space Reveal the Secret to Killing Cancer Cells on...

At a fundamental level, science and magic are about as far apart as you can get. Science is focused on systematically studying...

Upward 

October 17, 2024

View From the Cupola

When I began my job with the ISS National Laboratory 10 years ago, I discovered how science in space benefits humanity on Earth....

Upward 
Clemson University researchers Chris Saski and Sonika Kumar examine cotton plants.

August 29, 2024

Cotton Revolution: Unlocking New Cotton Varieties for a Sustainable Future

Since the first viral cotton disease was observed in Nigeria in 1912, quickly spreading from Africa to North America and Asia,...

Upward 
Professor Tengfei Luo works in his lab with graduate student Qiushi Zhang.

August 29, 2024

Harnessing the Power of Space Bubbles: New Biosensing Method Could Detect Cancer Markers and...

Imagine a sensor so sensitive it can detect early cancer in a single drop of blood, enabling diagnosis and treatment before the...

Upward 
The Beauty of Accelerated Aging

August 29, 2024

The Beauty of Accelerated Aging: Using Tissue Chips to Explore Age-Related Muscle Loss in...

Contrary to Bob Dylan’s famous song, it’s not possible to “stay forever young,” and aging is inevitable. As we get...

Upward 

August 29, 2024

View From the Cupola: Twyman Clements

The possibilities that lie ahead are inspiring, as we explore space to find solutions to some of Earth’s most pressing...

Upward 
View of the NREP through a window in the Japanese Experiment Module, nicknamed Kibō.

April 23, 2024

Sensors, Satellites, and Sidekicks: Chemical Fingerprinting From Space for Valuable...

Data from Orbital Sidekick has value in everything from the energy sector to the mining sector, agriculture, food quality and...

Upward 
Canadian Space Agency astronaut David Saint-Jacques onboard the International Space Station

April 23, 2024

From Root Cause to Remedy: Can Microgravity Help Prevent Post-Traumatic Osteoarthritis?

Alan Grodzinsky sees things differently. When he uses fluorescent dyes to test cell viability in the cartilage tissue he...

Upward 
NASA astronaut Megan McArthur with the Astrobee robotic free-flyers.

April 23, 2024

Free-Flying Robots in Space: How Real-Life Droids are Testing New Tech

Five years ago, on a space station not so far away, a trio of cube-shaped robots embarked on a multi-year mission to help pave...

Upward 
ISS National Lab Deputy Chief Scientist, Donna Roberts

April 23, 2024

View From the Cupola

I am excited to introduce this edition of Upward® magazine, which highlights how flying robots, helpful sidekicks, and tissue...

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