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Jan.
16, 2008: A group of atmospheric research scientists
at NASA's National Space Science and Technology Center felt
a little like they were in a foreign country when they first
met with University of Alabama at Birmingham's School of Public
Health representatives to discuss an unusual partnership.
"When
we first got together, it was as if we were speaking entirely
different languages," says NASA's Dale Quattrochi.
 But
very soon both parties began to realize how NASA satellite
data could translate into vital public health information.
"We
started seeing how it was really a great fit. It was wonderful.
The lights clicked on!" Quattrochi said.
Right:
Jeffrey Luvall, William Crosson, Dale Quattrochi and Maurice
Estes, Jr. review satellite data for the Chicago metropolitan
area. [Larger
image]
In
the past 50 years, satellites have revolutionized weather
forecasting and communications, so why not human health?
The
scientists from UAB and NASA realized that rocket science
could be focused down to the level of microbiology and public
health and yield huge advances in both. That "ah-ha"
moment sparked idea after idea about ways to combat public
health problems with satellite data.
One
of their best ideas was to teach public health students, the
researchers and medical personnel of the future, to harness
the power of satellite imagery to study and fight modern-day
disease. This idea led UAB to create a remote sensing lab
– in fact the first U.S. dedicated remote sensing lab for
medical and public health use – to do just that.
Students
at the lab take "cross-training" courses with NASA/NSSTC
scientists such as Dr. Dale Quattrochi, Dr. Jeff Luvall, Dr.
Douglas Rickman, Dr. Mohammad Al-Hamdan, Dr. William Crosson,
and Mr. Maurice Estes as guest lecturers and invited experts.
Many of the NASA/NSSTC scientists have been appointed as adjunct
professors at the UAB School of Public Health. And the innovative
research performed from the lab is cutting edge.
"This
lab and the studies it supports will help both our own generation
and future generations," says NSSTC's Jeff Luvall. "This
is a turning point in public health. Who knows where it will
lead?"
Studies
sponsored by the lab have already led to critical research
in fighting malaria. Infrared imagery from satellites is helping
scientists locate warm standing water – fertile breeding ground
for mosquitoes. Then the problem areas can be treated effectively
and precisely, stopping the spread of malaria. Other researchers
at the lab are using satellite imagery to correlate cases
of West Nile virus with nearness to tire dumps -- another
favorite breeding ground for the virus-carrying mosquito.
Above:
NASA satellites measure and map ground temperatures in the
Chicago metropolitan area. [Larger
image]
Remote
sensing has even proven valuable in tracking environmental
influences on childhood asthma. Satellite data are revealing
pollution levels and other environmental factors where the
children live to find out whether these factors might be triggering
asthma attacks. Children can then be given asthma therapy
to protect them from the effects.
Another
study is seeking links between the environment and cardiovascular
diseases, including stroke. UAB has been working on a large
study called REGARDS, short for Reasons for Geographic and
Racial Differences in Stroke. The study, funded by the National
Institute of Health, sampled over 30,000 people across the
U.S. with in-home surveys which included taking their blood
pressure and blood samples and administering a detailed health
questionnaire. The survey focused mostly on African-Americans
because that group has been shown to have a higher risk of
contracting the conditions the study examined – cardiovascular
disease, hypertension, and stroke – to name a few.
"Both
UAB and NASA want to understand, using NASA satellite data
on air quality, heat indexes, temperature, humidity, and other
environmental elements, how the environment is influencing
the diseases and conditions targeted by REGARDS," explains
Quattrochi. "This study's findings could help health
officials with environmental exposure and health recommendations."
Many
other studies are planned or in progress, including investigations
about how water affects dental health and about the correlations
between lead, mercury, and pesticides with health problems
in mothers and babies overseas.
Just
imagine how thrilled a designer of one of the first satellites
from 50 years ago would be to learn that satellites in space
are now combating health problems and saving lives.
That's
good news in any language.
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Author: Dauna Coulter | Production Editor:
Dr. Tony Phillips | Credit: Science@NASA
| more
information |
| The
Laboratory for Global Health Observation was developed
in the summer of 2006 by Sarah Parcak, Ph.D., in Anthropology
and Tennant McWilliams, Ph.D., former dean of Social
and Behavioral Sciences, as a partnership between the
Schools of Social and Behavioral Sciences and Public
Health. The potential for a remote sensing lab, in particular
the medical and health research possibilities, evolved
into a partnership with Max Michael, Ph.D., dean of
the School of Public Health. The primary focus of the
remote sensing lab is medical and health-based applications
for satellite remote sensing. The overall mission is
to look at broad-scale applications of satellite remote
sensing and ways in which this information can be used
across diverse fields in the context of international
outreach programs. Dr. Parcak is director of the laboratory.
NASA's
Future: The
Vision for Space Exploration |
|
