{"id":28860,"date":"2020-02-21T08:39:49","date_gmt":"2020-02-21T08:39:49","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/the-slovenia.com\/?p=28860"},"modified":"2020-02-21T08:39:49","modified_gmt":"2020-02-21T08:39:49","slug":"spend-60-days-in-bed-with-the-european-space-agency-in-planica","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/the-slovenia.com\/en\/technology\/spend-60-days-in-bed-with-the-european-space-agency-in-planica\/","title":{"rendered":"Spend 60 Days in Bed with the European Space Agency in Planica"},"content":{"rendered":"

The European Space Agency (ESA) has announced a new series of bedrest studies, some of which will take place in Slovenia.<\/h2>

The aim of this project is to learn more about the human body in space. In bedrest, study volunteers stay in bed for long periods of time \u2013 60 days in the research set to be carried out in Planica by the Jo\u017eef Stefan Institute.<\/p>

Sounds easy, but it’s actually not … <\/strong><\/p>

The lack of movement won\u2019t be the only limitation on participants for two months, as there are two further conditions attached to successful participation. First, while in bed their heads must remain 6\u00b0 below the horizontal. Second, throughout the whole 60 days at least one shoulder needs to remain in contact with the bed at all times \u2013 during meals, showers and toilet breaks. The effects of this regimen will be blood and other fluids moving towards the head, as muscles and bones start wasting away. <\/p>

And while they\u2019ll be staying on their backs the 48 volunteers will see some movement, as the center is equipped with a centrifuge that can spin them around to recreate gravity pulling towards their feet while laying down, so research can find out ways to counteract the adverse effects of living in space. <\/p>

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