Sending humans to Mars remains unlikely until scientists work out how to protect crew against deadly radiation, a space medicine doctor has said.
Dr Ashok Narayanamoorthi was speaking to The National on the sidelines of the final day of the Dubai Health Forum at the World Trade Centre on Thursday.
Billionaire Elon Musk hopes to send the first humans to the Red Planet in 2026, but Dr Narayanamoorthi said there were still many health hazards to overcome.
He said there needs to be technology on spacecraft and spacesuits that prevent radiation from harming humans during the long journey to the Red Planet and after landing.
“The main hindrance is the radiation — that's why we have not gone to other planetary bodies,” he said.
“There have been a lot of studies here in simulating those neurons, but we still have not achieved key indicators.
“There are different aspects that are being looked at, for example, if we should use certain medications to make us radio-resistant or we need to shield our environment.”
Nasa is hoping to send humans to Mars in the future through its Artemis programme, which aims to build a sustainable human presence on the Moon, so astronauts can eventually travel to Mars from there.
Meanwhile, China has plans to send humans to the Red Planet in 2033. It achieved an un-crewed landing on Mars last year for the first time.
Mr Musk’s SpaceX company is building the Starship, the world’s largest rocket, to eventually take humans on deep space missions, especially Mars.
However, there are concerns about whether the rocket would be able to withstand secondary radiation. This is caused by primary radiation and may be in the form of electromagnetic waves or moving particles.
While humans have survived short-durations trips to the Moon, travelling to Mars would require shielding because of the harmful levels of radiation.
There are many health risks involved if humans are exposed to acute radiation, including from cancers and damage to central nervous system, which could prove fatal.
“Secondary radiation is the problem, which comes from the primary radiation. It bombards the space capsule or your habitat,” Dr Narayanamoorthi said.
“It enters through with secondary harmful radiation, so that’s not good. And, the protective clothing that is available so far is very bulky — it can't be easily used for daily use.”
Dr Narayanamoorthi said that it is also unclear what kind of psychological impact an astronaut crew would face during their nine-month trip to Mars, when they would be isolated in deep space with each other and away from their loved ones.
Field tests on Earth called analogue missions, which simulate space journeys, have also been taking place, but Dr Narayanamoorthi said it was “too difficult” to recreate all of the risk factors.
“They are confined a very small environment, how are they going to react to it psychologically and socially? If it’s a Mars mission, it’s going to last for two to three years,” he said.
“We need a lot of studies to be done if it’s a long-duration mission, and we cannot create all of the risk factors involved in analogue missions.”
Saleh Al Ameri is an Emirati participating in an analogue mission in Russia. He has been living in near-isolation with an international crew of six people inside a closed environment that simulates a journey to the Moon and Mars.
Scientists are monitoring their behaviour around the clock, and will study the psychological impact they faced while living inside the facility.
Meet UAE's first analogue astronaut — in pictures
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors
Power: Combined output 920hp
Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km
On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025
Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000
Volvo ES90 Specs
Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
Infiniti QX80 specs
Engine: twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6
Power: 450hp
Torque: 700Nm
Price: From Dh450,000, Autograph model from Dh510,000
Available: Now
BMW M5 specs
Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor
Power: 727hp
Torque: 1,000Nm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh650,000
Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
Price: From Dh98,800
Available: Now
RESULTS
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Paatal Lok season two
Directors: Avinash Arun, Prosit Roy
Stars: Jaideep Ahlawat, Ishwak Singh, Lc Sekhose, Merenla Imsong
Rating: 4.5/5
Farasan Boat: 128km Away from Anchorage
Director: Mowaffaq Alobaid
Stars: Abdulaziz Almadhi, Mohammed Al Akkasi, Ali Al Suhaibani
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Global Fungi Facts
• Scientists estimate there could be as many as 3 million fungal species globally
• Only about 160,000 have been officially described leaving around 90% undiscovered
• Fungi account for roughly 90% of Earth's unknown biodiversity
• Forest fungi help tackle climate change, absorbing up to 36% of global fossil fuel emissions annually and storing around 5 billion tonnes of carbon in the planet's topsoil
Real estate tokenisation project
Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.
The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.
Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.
Reputation
Taylor Swift
(Big Machine Records)
Global state-owned investor ranking by size
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Japan
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Norway
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First course
▶ Emirati sea bass tartare Yuzu and labneh mayo, avocado, green herbs, fermented tomato water
▶ The Tale of the Oyster Oyster tartare, Bahraini gum berry pickle
Second course
▶ Local mackerel Sourdough crouton, baharat oil, red radish, zaatar mayo
▶ One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest Quail, smoked freekeh, cinnamon cocoa
Third course
▶ Bahraini bouillabaisse Venus clams, local prawns, fishfarm seabream, farro
▶ Lamb 2 ways Braised lamb, crispy lamb chop, bulgur, physalis
Dessert
▶ Lumi Black lemon ice cream, pistachio, pomegranate
▶ Black chocolate bar Dark chocolate, dates, caramel, camel milk ice cream
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Toss: Pakhtunkhwa Zalmi, chose to field
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2020 Toyota Corolla Hybrid LE
Engine: 1.8 litre combined with 16-volt electric motors
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- Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns.
- Unregulated structured products or complex investments often used to bypass traditional safeguards.
- Lack of clear information, vague language, no access to audited financials.
- Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions - this can make legal recovery difficult.
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Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching
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What is myofascial pain syndrome?
Myofascial pain syndrome refers to pain and inflammation in the body’s soft tissue. MPS is a chronic condition that affects the fascia (connective tissue that covers the muscles, which develops knots, also known as trigger points).
What are trigger points?
Trigger points are irritable knots in the soft tissue that covers muscle tissue. Through injury or overuse, muscle fibres contract as a reactive and protective measure, creating tension in the form of hard and, palpable nodules. Overuse and sustained posture are the main culprits in developing trigger points.
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It's up to you to go green
Nils El Accad, chief executive and owner of Organic Foods and Café, says going green is about “lifestyle and attitude” rather than a “money change”; people need to plan ahead to fill water bottles in advance and take their own bags to the supermarket, he says.
“People always want someone else to do the work; it doesn’t work like that,” he adds. “The first step: you have to consciously make that decision and change.”
When he gets a takeaway, says Mr El Accad, he takes his own glass jars instead of accepting disposable aluminium containers, paper napkins and plastic tubs, cutlery and bags from restaurants.
He also plants his own crops and herbs at home and at the Sheikh Zayed store, from basil and rosemary to beans, squashes and papayas. “If you’re going to water anything, better it be tomatoes and cucumbers, something edible, than grass,” he says.
“All this throwaway plastic - cups, bottles, forks - has to go first,” says Mr El Accad, who has banned all disposable straws, whether plastic or even paper, from the café chain.
One of the latest changes he has implemented at his stores is to offer refills of liquid laundry detergent, to save plastic. The two brands Organic Foods stocks, Organic Larder and Sonnett, are both “triple-certified - you could eat the product”.
The Organic Larder detergent will soon be delivered in 200-litre metal oil drums before being decanted into 20-litre containers in-store.
Customers can refill their bottles at least 30 times before they start to degrade, he says. Organic Larder costs Dh35.75 for one litre and Dh62 for 2.75 litres and refills will cost 15 to 20 per cent less, Mr El Accad says.
But while there are savings to be had, going green tends to come with upfront costs and extra work and planning. Are we ready to refill bottles rather than throw them away? “You have to change,” says Mr El Accad. “I can only make it available.”
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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MWTC
Tickets start from Dh100 for adults and are now on sale at www.ticketmaster.ae and Virgin Megastores across the UAE. Three-day and travel packages are also available at 20 per cent discount.
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- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
MATCH INFO
Inter Milan v Juventus
Saturday, 10.45pm (UAE)
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
