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Perm State
Poultry J
Pointers
“BIRD LEGS”
IN SPACE
Roland M. Leach, Jr.
Professor of
Poultry Science
In a previous article (“Dem
Bonz, Dem Bonz,” 12/12/92
38(5):C3), I mentioned the fact
that NASA is very interested in
studies on bone metabolism.
The major reason for this inter
est is something we earthlings take
for granted gravity. Here on
earth, gravity has a profound effect
upon the physical aspects of our
body.
A good way to visualize this
phenomena is to determine how
high you can jump and how long
you can stay in the air—probably
not very high (inches) and not very
long (seconds). Compare this with
videotapes of astronauts floating
around the cabin of a spaceship
trying to hang onto objects or to
eat.
Sounds neat? The astronauts are
paying a price for this neat experi
ence. Since they are not under the
influence of gravity, their bodies
are subject to some severe stresses.
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There are two major problems
associated with long-term travel in
space. To date, we have only
experienced short-term space
travel, considering that it takes 18
months to reach Mars.
One of the problems associated
with space flight is tremendous
shifts in body fluids. Because we
are no longer subject to gravity, the
fluid in our body shifts to the upper
aart of our torso. This creates “bird
egs,” stuffy noses, and puffy
■aces.
Appearance aside, translocation
if body fluid has potentially severe
ihysiological implications. These
nclude cardiovascular changes,
loss of weight, and decreases in
blood volume. Of particular inter
est to scientists at Penn State is the
decreased delivery of hormones
and nutrients to tissues affected by
this shift in body fluid. What are
the implications of these changes?
How can they be counteracted?
Engineers and biologists are trying
to answer these questions.
The second majorproblem asso
ciated with prolonged space travel
is loss of bone. Again, on earth,
standing and walking exerts physi
cal stresses on our bones and mus
-4
Leiby On Vegetable Growers Program
SCRANTON (Lackawanna
Co.) Robert Leiby, Lehigh
County extension agent, will
speak on “profitable potato pro
duction practices” at the Northeast
Vegetable Growers meeting on
Thursday, February 4 at Thomp
son’s Dairy Bar on the Newton-
Ransom Boulevard in Lackawan
na County from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30
p.m.
Arranged by Cooperative
cles which serve to stimulate the
continual buildup and breakdown
of these tissues. Under conditions
of microgravity (space), this sti
mulus is not present and break
down exceeds buildup. It has been
projected that a trip to Mars might
totally obliterate an astronaut’s
bones.
As with fluid shifts, scientists
are trying to develop countermea
sures which will allow astronauts
to maintain bone during prolonged
space travel.
There are some encouraging
developments. First of all, it
appears that after a period of lime
bone losses stabilize, so the pro
jected scenario may not be as bad
as originally painted. Secondly,
exercise equipment is being
designed to help astronauts keep
physically active. Finally, scien
tists are developing strategies
which will minimize bone loss and
restore bone formation.
The results of this research will
have important implications for
humans on earth as well as broilers
and turkeys in poultry houses.
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Lancaster Farming, Saturday, January 23, 1993-C9
Extension and the Lackawanna
County Horticultural Association,
Call It ‘New
NEW HOLLAND (Lancaster
Co.) The corporate identity of
N.H. Geotech N.V., the Fiat
Group company formed in 1991 to
head Fiat activities related to trac
tors, farm machinery and con
struction equipment, is being
renamed New Holland n.v., incor
porated in the Netherlands with a
coordinating office in London,
England.
The New Holland-based farm
and industrial equipment manu
facturer Ford New Holland, Inc.,
an operating division of New Hol
land n.v., will not be affected by
the name change, nor will the
brand names of Ford and New
the meeting is open to all veget
able growers.
Reservations arc SlO and can be
made with the Lackawanna Coun
ty Cooperative Extension, 200
Adams Avenue, Scranton, PA
18503 or call (717) 963-6842 by
February 1.
Other topics on the program
include tomato and sweet com
varieties, insect and disease con
trol on vegetables, safe use of pes
ticides, and information on the
new Chemswccp program of the
Department of Agriculture for the
collection of unusable ag chemi
cals in Lackawanna and Wyoming
counties. Training credits will be
provided for recertification of pri
vate applicators of restricted use
pesticides who register before the
meeting begins.
Holland n.v
Holland.
Corporate officials said the
revision reflects the worldwide
image of New Holland as a name
synonymous with quality, deve
lopment, innovation, and service.
With annual revenues of about
S 4 billion, New Holland n.v. oper
ates on all continents through us
affiliates, distributors, and joint
ventures. Its products are mark
eted under recognized brand
names such as Ford (agricultural
and industrial tractors), New Hol
land (agricultural machinery), Fia
tAgri (agricultural tractors and
machinery), and Fiat Hitachi (con
struction equipment).
Beef
Evening
LEESPORT (Berks
Co.) Beef producers
in the Berks, Lebanon,
and Schuylkill County
areas will want to attend
the February 2 Beef
Educational Evening.
It will be held at
Trainer’s (Midway)
Diner on Rt. 78/22, Exit
5. The program will
feature Lou Moore,
Penn State extension
economist, who will
discuss the agriculture
outlook for the United
States and the world for
the 19905.
Moore, who just re
turned from trips to Po
land and other Euro
pean countries, will re
late how changes in
other countries will af
fect beef producers in
our area.
In addition. Dr. Lynn
Sammons, Willow
Creek Animal Hospital,
will discuss vaccina
tions and Johne’s certi
fication for beef herds.
The program will be
gin with a beef dinner
beginning at 5:30 p.m.
with the talks at 6:45
p.m. The evening is
sponsored by Penn
State Cooperative Ex
tension and the Berks/
Southeast Cattlemen’s
Association.
Registration is $6 for
the dinner and no
charge for the program.
To register and for more
information, contact
Clyde Myers at the
Berks County Agricul
ture Center, P.O. Box
520, Leesport, PA
19533, (215) 378-1327.