![\"NASA](\"https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/iss074e0490824\/iss074e0490824~large.jpg?w=1920&h=1280&fit=clip&crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint\")
<\/a><\/figure>Biotechnology research was back on the schedule aboard the International Space Station<\/a> on Thursday as the Expedition 74<\/a> crew conducted a pair of heart studies, explored cancer therapies, and demonstrated a self\u2011sustaining life\u2011support system.<\/p>\n NASA flight engineer Jessica Meir<\/a> processed samples of heart stem cells and bacteria that cause pneumonia using a portable glovebag inside the Harmony module<\/a>. Observations in microgravity may give doctors a clearer understanding of how cellular and molecular mechanisms of infectious diseases damage heart tissue. Insights could lead to advanced treatments for heart conditions<\/a> on and off the Earth.<\/p>\n Roscosmos cosmonauts Sergey Kud-Sverchkov, Sergei Mikaev, and Andrey Fedyaev joined each other at the beginning of their shift and studied how a resting heart behaves in weightlessness. During the experiment operations a crew member assists another crew member wearing chest and limb sensors that measure cardiac bioelectric activity. Results will help inform doctors how a long-term spaceflight affects the human heart.<\/p>\n Afterward, Kud-Sverchkov and Sergei Mikaev trained for the upcoming arrival of the Progress 95 resupply ship due to launch at 6:21p.m. EDT on Saturday<\/a> and dock to the Zvezda service module<\/a>\u2019s aft port at 8 p.m. on Monday. Fedyaev inventoried supplies stowed in medical kits then collected air samples throughout the orbital outpost\u2019s Roscosmos segment for analysis.<\/p>\n Flight engineers Jack Hathaway<\/a> of NASA and Sophie Adenot of ESA (European Space Agency) partnered together inside the Kibo laboratory module<\/a> manufacturing DNA-inspired nanomaterials<\/a> to treat cancer and other chronic diseases. The duo worked inside Kibo\u2019s Life Science Glovebox<\/a> taking advantage of the microgravity environment to improve the production of immunotherapies and chemotherapies benefitting human health.<\/p>\n Hathaway also took turns with NASA flight engineer Chris Williams<\/a> treating samples of spirulina microalgae<\/a> inside a temperature-controlled incubator located in Kibo\u2019s Cell Biology Experiment Facility<\/a>. Scientists are exploring ways to cultivate spirulina and design biological systems that can produce food and recycle air for future deep\u2011space missions.<\/p>\n Williams earlier in his shift, joined Meir and helped her check and secure power connections on the new European Enhanced Exploration Exercise Device<\/a>, or E4D. The E4D is being tested for its ability to support crew workouts on missions to the Moon, Mars, and beyond.<\/p>\n Learn more about station activities by following the <\/em>space station blog<\/em><\/a>, <\/em>@space_station<\/em><\/a> on X, as well as the <\/em>ISS Facebook<\/em><\/a> and <\/em>ISS Instagram<\/em><\/a> accounts.<\/em><\/p>\n Get the latest from NASA delivered every week. <\/em>Subscribe here<\/em><\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n Powered by WPeMatico<\/a><\/small><\/p>\n Get The Details…<\/a><\/p>\n Mark A. Garcia <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Biotechnology research was back on the schedule aboard the International Space Station on Thursday as the Expedition 74 crew conducted a pair of heart studies, explored cancer therapies, and demonstrated a self\u2011sustaining life\u2011support system. Continue reading