China advances space medicine to support manned missions

China's constant progress in space medicine has facilitated its four manned missions in the past two years since the Tiangong space station was built, according to a report released on Monday.

The report on the progress in scientific research and applications of Chinese space station was released by the China Manned Space Engineering Office (CMSEO) to celebrate the second anniversary of the comprehensive completion of the Chinese space station.

In the past two years, a total of 68 projects have been implemented in orbit in the fields of space life sciences and human research, mainly focusing on basic space biology, space biotechnology and applications, space life ecology, the origin and intersection of space life, the impact of space environment on human physiology, traditional medicine and new health testing techniques, human factors in space flight, and space brain science, according to the report.

"Our space medicine experiments mainly focus on the impact of space flight, such as microgravity and radiation, on human health, including the behavioral capacity of astronauts in space, and the relevant protection. We have also carried out some systematic and large-scale studies on advanced medical monitoring and support technologies and the space application of traditional medicine, with some theoretical and technological breakthroughs made. No matter in theoretical level or that of technological support, space medicine is indeed maturing and improving constantly with the development of flight missions," said Liu Zhaoxia, a fellow with the China Astronaut Research and Training Center.

To protect astronauts from bone loss and muscle atrophy in space, Chinese researchers have developed a device countering bone loss and some other kinds of medical equipment, which can also serve public health.

"The device not only functions to prevent astronauts from bone loss in microgravity, but also helps with treatment of disuse bone loss for elderly and long-term bedridden patients on the ground, so it could be promoted to clinical application. We have also developed acupoint stimulation devices such as acupoint stimulation clothing and portable acupoint stimulation devices, which can function to a certain extent prevent cardiovascular diseases, muscle atrophy and bone loss. It can also be applied to clinical treatment," Liu said.

In 2024, the Shenzhou-18 crew, who were sent to the space station on April 25 and returned to Earth on Nov 4, stayed in orbit for a record 192 days.

In the future, astronauts will stay and work longer in orbit in more complicated space environments, which requires more advances in space medicine, Liu noted.

"It's an inevitable trend that the manned space missions will operate longer flights and go farther into space, so we will surely aim at longer flights into farther and deeper space in our further development. To support such endeavors, our relevant space medicine guarantee must constantly go deeper to cope with new problems cropping up in manned missions," she said.

China advances space medicine to support manned missions

With dramyin lute and cymbals in hand and dressed in colorful traditional costume, 17-year-old Tenzin Norbu is among the proud youngsters in southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region who have been helping preserve the centuries-old Tibetan opera, a multifaceted representative of Tibetan art and cultural heritage. Considered a living fossil of Tibetan culture, Tibetan opera is a comprehensive art combining folk songs, dance, storytelling, chant, acrobatics and religious performance. It was included on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2009.

Tenzin grew up listening to Tibetan opera along with his grandmother. The beat of the drum marked the rhythm of his childhood and quietly planted the seed of a dream.

The teenager leads a youth Tibetan opera troupe and guides his peers onto the very stage they once only dreamed of. He named it "Phudor Youth Tibetan Opera Troupe", because "Phudor" means "dream" in the Tibetan language.

"There are about 24 members in the troupe," said the teenager.

Tenzin once received a very special invitation to perform Tibetan opera for the opening ceremony of an art festival in Lhasa.

Although both their parents and teachers felt it's important for the children to be exposed to traditional culture from a young age, they didn't want it to affect their schoolwork.

The performance they were getting ready for was the first Sweet Tea House Art Festival, the troupe's very first public appearance. It's a rare opportunity for the children -- one too precious for them to pass up. But with their parents growing anxious about preparation for the performance eating into valuable study time, the children opted to rehearse in secret at weekends. Tenzin's family runs a tailor's shop. His father, who is hearing- and speech-impaired, is a superb tailor, while his mother helps him out by dealing with customers. Tenzin enjoyed Tibetan opera with his grandmother during childhood and later learned more about it from his uncle.

"Whenever I'm not feeling good, I'll take out the dramyin lute and the cymbals. When I hear the drumbeat, I get a feeling of elation that's simply indescribable," he said.

When Tenzin finally stepped onto the stage at the festival, he noticed that his parents were not in the audience. "My parents didn't have time to come to see my performance. But they always support me. They work hard every day, also for my sake. So, I'm happy whether they were here or not as long as I can keep performing Tibetan opera," said the youngster, believing that his passion for Tibetan opera will last a lifetime.

Childhood dream takes local boy onto Tibetan opera stage