Dr. John Cherry Adjunct senior research fellow, University of Tasmania. Space medicine PhD candidate, University of Sydney. He is now on the #homewardbound journey, doing vital research beyond Casey Station in #Antarctica. His signature look includes a bright yellow outdoor snow jacket and yellow beanie. He is part of a new study that hopes to discover just how extended isolation affects cognitive functioning in extreme environments. Alongside him are Dr. Meg O’Connell, expedition medical officer at Casey Station, and Thomas Whyte, an electrician from Melbourne, both participating voluntarily in this critical research.
This research seeks to further our understanding of what affects Antarctic expeditioners. Additionally, it will look at how these same factors might affect astronauts on long-duration spaceflight missions. Researchers hope that knowing how the chores affect them can improve medical support to both populations. This research is set to last for another year. Frankly, as we look for what that future looks like beyond earth, that’s why we do these missions here.
Challenges of Isolation
Dr. Cherry wants to highlight the incredible parallels between Antarctic researchers and astronauts. Both groups share the burden of profound distance. “The continuous cold weather… on top of the darkness, it provides a sense of isolation,” said Thomas Whyte. He elaborated that not only does being away from friends and family contribute to this feeling, …
For Dr. O’Connell, the effects of cognitive decline during the dark Antarctic winter were both personal and acute at Casey Station. She has worked as a remote GP with the Royal Flying Doctor Service in Queensland. “I remember thinking, ‘Oh, it won’t happen to me’, but the cognition scores on my test demonstrate that I had a cognitive drop during winter as well,” she said, underscoring the reality of cognitive challenges faced in such extreme conditions.
The insights gained from this research project will inform the provision of appropriate medical support to expeditioners during their deployments. She concluded, “It’s just been utterly fascinating to see how people’s cognition changes in the winter, and on an anecdotal level just seeing how people really feel the difference.
Innovative Research Tools
The core of the study revolves around the BioSticker. The device is approximately the size of a credit card, and continuously monitors other physiological measures such as heart rate, body temperature, breathing pattern, sleep cycle, and physical activity. This technology provides researchers with critical and actionable insights into the physical health of study participants. They collect this information as the actors endure the rigors of Antarctic life.
As Dr. Cherry pointed out, this research is critical to larger applications to human space flight. “It gives us an ability to support research that’s actively happening in orbit at the same time as occurring on the ground in Antarctica,” he stated. This combined emphasis on the outer space/inner space connection has the potential to enhance the way we manage space missions.
Thomas Whyte illustrated the reality of what he’s referring to saying as winter has started hitting hard, he’s had “foggy” days. Still, he’s beginning to perceive a cognitive performance boost. “Luckily I’m on the other side [of winter] and my results are improving,” he noted, reflecting on the fluctuations in mental clarity experienced during his deployment.
The Journey Ahead
Construction of Casey Station began in February 1969. It serves as an irreplaceable, independent research outpost deeply important for understanding climate change and answering foundational scientific questions. This long-term research at the station aims to improve our understanding of cognitive function under stress. It seeks to enrich advances in space medicine.
Dr. Cherry articulated the potential long-term benefits of this research: “They’ll support human space flight as we take that next leap forward and head deeper into space.” The lessons learned from these challenges will help ensure that we are better prepared to support our astronauts. These innovations will aid them in addressing social disconnection and mental decline over long-duration missions.
