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From: ethan@utastro.UUCP (Ethan Vishniac)
Newsgroups: net.space
Subject: Re: Re: space delivery
Message-ID: <462@utastro.UUCP>
Date: Thu, 1-Aug-85 11:04:13 EDT
Article-I.D.: utastro.462
Posted: Thu Aug  1 11:04:13 1985
Date-Received: Sat, 3-Aug-85 10:45:21 EDT
References: <2761@mordor.UUCP> <319@baylor.UUCP> <427@utastro.UUCP> <187@kitty.UUCP>
Organization: U. Texas, Astronomy, Austin, TX
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> > > Wouldn't the calcium deficiency noted in free fall SERIOUSLY harm the fetus (who
> > > can't use a treadmill, or would the mother's exercising serve?)?
> > > -- 
> > > 	Peter da Silva (the mad Australian)
> > Good question.  I'd guess not, since the fetus is sitting in a neutral
> > buoyancy environment at first, and subsequently (the last few months)
> > doesn't have much leg room.  The mechanisms that cause the fetus to
> > absorb calcium in large quantities must not depend on gravity.
> > -- 
> > "Don't argue with a fool.      Ethan Vishniac
> 
> But bouyant and free fall environments aren't quite the same thing. After
> all, dolphins don't lose calcium [:->].

Good point.  However, dolphins exercise like crazy.  Besides is there any
difference between buoyant and free fall environments besides orientability?
It's possible (just barely) that the body's calcium budget listens to the
inner ear, but I guess it doesn't.
-- 

"Don't argue with a fool.      Ethan Vishniac
 Borrow his money."            {charm,ut-sally,ut-ngp,noao}!utastro!ethan
                               Department of Astronomy
                               University of Texas