EpiPens: A Potential Risk in Space
Student Discovery
Elementary school students from Canada made a groundbreaking discovery while working on a school project: EpiPens, auto-injectors that deliver life-saving epinephrine during severe allergic reactions, may not work effectively in space.
EpiPens in Space: A Problem Emerges
The students, part of St. Brother André Elementary School’s Program for Gifted Learners, launched samples of pure epinephrine and EpiPen solution into space as part of NASA’s “Cubes in Space” initiative. Upon analysis after their return to Earth, they found that the pure epinephrine samples had partially transformed into poisonous benzoic acid derivatives, and no epinephrine was detected in the EpiPen solution samples.
Implications for Space Travel
This discovery raises concerns about the efficacy of EpiPens in space and the potential risks for astronauts who rely on them for emergency medical care. The students’ findings could have significant implications for future space missions and the safety of astronauts on long-duration spaceflights.
Epinephrine and Cosmic Radiation
The students’ experiment sought to determine how cosmic radiation would affect the molecular structure of epinephrine. They hypothesized that the high levels of radiation in space could cause the epinephrine to break down and become ineffective. Their results support this hypothesis, indicating that epinephrine is susceptible to decomposition in the harsh conditions of space.
Cubes in Space: A Platform for Student Inquiry
NASA’s “Cubes in Space” program provides a unique opportunity for students to conduct science experiments in space. The program allows students to design and build small, cube-shaped satellites that carry their experiments into the stratosphere or beyond. The students involved in this project demonstrated remarkable ingenuity and scientific curiosity in pursuing their research question.
Collaboration and Real-World Applications
The students collaborated with Paul Mayer, a chemist at the University of Ottawa, to analyze their samples and interpret the results. Their findings highlight the importance of collaboration between young learners and scientists in advancing scientific knowledge. The students’ discovery has potential real-world applications, informing the development of strategies to protect astronauts’ health during future space missions.
Future Directions
The students plan to travel to Virginia to present their findings to NASA and conduct further experiments to confirm their results. They are also working on designing a capsule to protect the EpiPen solution in space, ensuring its efficacy in the event of an emergency.
The students’ project not only demonstrates the potential risks associated with EpiPens in space but also underscores the importance of student inquiry and the power of collaboration in scientific research. Their findings have the potential to contribute to the advancement of space medicine and ensure the safety of astronauts in future space exploration endeavors.
