Human biology and medicine
Station Doctor Glenn Browning using the ultrasound (Photo: Glenn Browning)
The prime responsibility of the Antarctic doctor is health care, while medical research is a part-time occupation. The support of Antarctic expeditioners over the past 50 years has enabled doctors to conduct a multidisciplinary research program on this unique population, arguably the most isolated on Earth, living as transient visitors in a harsh environment. Research findings may have important long-term health implications.
Particular emphasis has been placed on studies that facilitate living and working in Antarctica such as:
- health and behavioural studies
- thermal adaptation
- nutrition
- epidemiology
- cardiovascular studies
- photobiology
- diving medicine
Antarctic human biological research has made a major contribution to the knowledge of human adaptation in Antarctica. It suggests personnel undergo physiological and psychological changes in response to the Antarctic conditions. However no specific Antarctic disease has been found.
Research has demonstrated a lowered responsiveness of the immune system under the isolation and confinement of the Antarctic winter, with more precise laboratory studies over the past 10 years showing that 30 percent of those working in Antarctica have altered immune responses. Collaborative research continues with universities and research institutions in Australia and the United States of America. These studies include mechanisms for changing immunity, and the influence of factors such as stress and other psychological influences. Research on viral reactivation in humans is also underway. The work has potential value for health care on long duration space flights.Metadata for Human Biology and Medicine are held at the Australian Antarctic Data Centre.
For more information, contact the Division and ask to be directed to the Polar Medicine Unit.
Related links
- Search for current human biology and medicine research projects
- Three dimensional medicine – Australian Antarctic Magazine 17: 2009
- Vitamin D deficiency in Antarctica – Australian Antarctic Magazine 16: 2009
- Polar Medicine feature – Australian Antarctic Magazine 8: 2005 [PDF]
- Taking the Antarctic Arctic Polar Pulse (International Polar Year project)
- US National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
- National Space Biomedical Research Institute (NSBRI): (Immunology), (Psychosocial)
