Okay so, it seems that when astronauts are in area for lengthy intervals of time (over 2-weeks) their brains undergo noticeable structural modifications. That is fairly fascinating and proof of the unbelievable plasticity and skill of the human mind. Now then, we now know what types of modifications happen from analysis and it’s fascinating that the photographs of dolphin brains have additionally been imaged.

What do we all know in regards to the similarities of a human mind in area in a low-gravity setting because it learns to function in a 3 dimensional realm of motion and the mind of a dolphin which has structurally developed to function in the same low-gravity setting with motion in 3-Dimensions (cite: 1).

Why do I dare to check or ask this query?

Effectively, there was an fascinating article on the New Atlas web site posted on January 31, 2017 titled; “Astronauts’ brains change form as they be taught to maneuver in area,” by Michael Irving, which famous:

“The examine discovered area journey modifications quantity of grey matter in numerous elements of the mind, maybe the results of shifting fluids resulting from an absence of gravity, and the mind working extra time to relearn the fundamentals of motion in a wierd new setting. People developed to thrive in circumstances right here on Earth, so it is not shocking that after taken past our house turf, we’re subjected to a variety of well being points. With out gravity always pushing down on the physique, bones and muscular tissues loses mass over time, a difficulty that astronauts on the ISS mitigate by way of train.”

On this examine the scanned (fMRI) of over two-dozen astronauts and all of them had their mind’s grey matter change + or – in numerous elements, the longer in area the extra the change. Now then, based on Google Search of human mind; “General, grey matter occupies 40 % of the cerebrum,” and it seems while you have a look at a Dolphin mind though structurally completely different it comprises loads of grey matter (Cite: 2, 3, 4). And, and actually it’s mentioned that it is our ‘grey matter’ that makes us human, separates us from Dolphins (cite: 5).

The human mind has far more by share, regardless that it’s smaller in dimension than a dolphin mind – perhaps dolphin brains do not want as a lot? Perhaps a dolphin mind is a superior design for long-term area flight? Perhaps some DNA analysis would possibly lead us to clues? Perhaps we will use this data to assist us biologically engineer a greater mind to make it safer for people in long-term area environments, with out shedding cognitive skills and with out well being dangers.

Okay so, my hunch is that if we examine the dolphin mind we will acquire insights into why the human mind modifications the quantities of grey matter in numerous elements of the mind when in a low-gravity setting and as astronauts be taught to encourage in a completely obtainable 3-D setting. In fact, proper now we do not know a lot, however we all know sufficient to begin contemplating such issues and launch new analysis to benefit from what we be taught. Since we do not know precisely why this occurs however solely have theories, we have to resolve all of it. Maybe, those that’ve studied Dolphin brains may open a dialogue with NASA scientists who’ve studied the brains of returning astronauts. Assume on this.

Cites and Beneficial Studying:

(1) E-book; “Dolphins ” Undersea Discoveries of Jacques-Yves Cousteau collection, Double Day Publishers, Berlin, Germany, 1974, 304 pages, ISBN: 0-385-00015-4.

(2) Analysis Paper: “A common scaling legislation between grey matter and white matter of cerebral cortex,” by Kechen Zhang and Terrence J. Sejnowski.

(3) Analysis Paper revealed in Journal of Mind, Conduct and Evolution; “Morphology and Evolutionary Biology of the Dolphin Mind – MR Imaging and Typical Histology,” by H.H.A. Oelschlager, M. Haas-Rioth, Fung, S.H. Ridgway, and M. Knauth, DOI: 10.1159/000110495.

(4) Analysis Paper; Marino, L., Murphy, T. L., Gozal, L., & Johnson, J. I. (2001). Magnetic resonance imaging and three-dimensional reconstructions of the mind of a fetal widespread dolphin, Delphinus delphis. Anatomy and embryology, 203(5), 393-402.

(5) E-book: “In Protection of Dolphins: The New Ethical Frontier,” by Thomas I. White, John Wiley & Sons, New York, NY, Apr 15, 2008, 248 pages, ISBN: 978-047076-652-1.

by Lance Winslow

Tags: Brains, Dolphin, essay, essays, Human, LongTerm, research paper, Space, student, term paper, Theory, Travel