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Introduction: We examined responses of volunteers with known medical disease to G forces in a centrifuge to evaluate how potential commercial spaceflight participants (SFPs) might tolerate the forces of spaceflight despite significant medical history. Methods: Volunteers were recruited based upon suitability for each of five disease categories (hypertension, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, lung disease, back or neck problems) or a control group. Subjects underwent seven centrifuge runs over 2 d. Day 1 consisted of two +GZ runs (peak = +3.5 Gz, Run 2) and two +GX runs (peak = +6.0 Gx, Run 4). Day 2 consisted of three runs approximating suborbital spaceflight profiles (combined +GX and +GZ, peak = +6.0 Gx/+4.0 Gz). Data collected included blood pressure, electrocardiogram, pulse oximetry, neurovestibular exams, and post-run questionnaires regarding motion sickness, disorientation, grayout, and other symptoms. Results: A total of 335 subjects registered for participation, of which 86 (63 men, 23 women, age 20-78 yr) participated in centrifuge trials. The most common causes for disqualification were weight and severe and uncontrolled medical or psychiatric disease. Five subjects voluntarily withdrew from the second day of testing: three for anxiety reasons, one for back strain, and one for time constraints. Maximum hemodynamic values recorded included HR of 192 bpm, systolic BP of 217 mmHg, and diastolic BP of 144 mmHg. Common subjective complaints included grayout (69%), nausea (20%), and chest discomfort (6%). Despite their medical history, no subject experienced significant adverse physiological responses to centrifuge profiles. Discussion: These results suggest that most individuals with well-controlled medical conditions can withstand acceleration forces of launch and re-entry profiles of current commercial spaceflight vehicles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The objective of the present research was to study the dynamics of changes in emotional energy, work self-efficacy, and perceived similarity in the crew of the Mars 520 experimental study. Methods: The study comprised six volunteers, all men, between 27-38 yr of age (M = 32.16; SD = 4.99). The Mars 520 experimental study simulated all the elements of the proposed Mars mission that could be ground simu-lated, i.e., traveling to Mars, orbiting it, landing, and returning to Earth. During the simulation, measures of emotional energy, work self-efficacy, and perceived similarity were repeated every month. The data were analyzed using linear mixed effect models. Results: Emotional energy, work self-efficacy, and perceived similarity gradually increased in the course of the simulation. Discussion: There was no evidence for a so-called third quarter phenomenon (the most strenuous period of group isolation, psychologically, emotionally, and socially) in our data. On the contrary, work self-efficacy, emotional energy, and group cohesion (indexed here by the subject's perceived similarity to others) increased significantly in the course of the simulation, with the latter two variables showing positive growth in the group functioning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article reports the health conditions of thousands of workers and volunteers who participated in the rescue and cleanup efforts after the September 11, 2001 attack at the World Trade Center in New York City. A major study concerning the health of Ground Zero workers indicates that 69 percent of almost 10,000 workers tested suffered from respiratory problems while working near the site. Meanwhile, an editorial published in the "New York Times" criticize the U.S. Congress and the George W. Bush administration for providing small funds for the medication of these people. According to the report, many of these people are sick and even dying for failing to wear proper breathing masks because they were misled by assurances from the government that the toxic fumes are not dangerous.

The article reports on the Mars analogue missions, in which Mars station will be created with a central dome designed by Freedomes in southeastern Poland. Topics discussed include the mission manned by students in participation with 28 different countries and range of scientists, plans of astronauts to make vitamins and proteins in bioreactors to empower life on Mars, and low motivation and sleep difficulties faced by volunteers.

The article discusses the benefits of volunteering. Information is provided on studies the show that voluntarism boosts happiness and shows that people who devote time to volunteering are often happier and healthier than those who do not. It is noted that volunteers also show less physical and mental aging and report a high satisfaction with life.

The article reports on the study conducted by Mount Sinai School of Medicine which reveals that workers and volunteers, who responded to the rescue and cleanup efforts at the World Trade Center (WTC) after the terrorist attacks in 2001, reported higher asthma rate. Relative to the medical records of 20,843 WTC responders, less than one percent said that they experienced asthma attacks in 2000. It notes that the results of the study indicated the need for a stronger disaster preparedness plans.

The article offers information on the volunteering benefits to the volunteers such as health effects of volunteering, bonding with family, and its unexpected benefits.

The article discusses volunteer Shirley Conklin's work for Mount Desert Island Hospital Auxiliary. The article also discusses felicitation for her work and her contribution towards recruiting new volunteers for work. Also mentioned are the other areas for voluntary work which include Birch Bay Retirement Village, the Don and Beth Straus Program.

The author discusses the circumstances for taking up volunteer work. The author also discusses instances where volunteer work should not be preferred which includes personal loss, to pass time and people who have experienced grave illness. Other topics addressed include information on the websites to help people get proper guidance before they apply for any volunteer work.

The landmark longitudinal research study will collect genomic information, electronic health records, as well as lifestyle and environmental exposure data from 1 million or more U.S. volunteers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the benefits of volunteering with suggested volunteering works. It cites that individuals who volunteer an hour or two a week, such as becoming a school tutor or mentor, are inclined to better health and a longer life. It notes that volunteering during layoffs, such as offering clerical help to nonprofit organizations, can help individuals feel purposeful and connected to other people. It stresses that serving others helped individuals appreciate their current situation.

This article discusses why rescue dogs fared better than human workers on rescue missions for the September 11 terrorist attacks. According to the author, nearly 70% of human rescuers involved with the recovery efforts have reported new or worsened respiratory symptoms between 2002 and 2004 while dogs remained fit and healthy. Veterinarian Cindy Otto explained that dogs are less susceptible to respiratory problems because their snouts can better filter air that goes to their lungs.

Reports on the quality of the respiratory and mental health of the rescuers who responded to the September 11, 2001 bombing of the World Trade Center in New York City. Number of screened rescue and recovery workers and volunteers; Comment from John Howard, director of the U.S. National Institution for Occupational Safety and Health, on the need to launch specialized medical monitoring programs for the rescuers; Other injuries reported by the rescuers.

The article offers tips on how to avoid burnout syndrome for volunteers who are working regularly.

The article reports on a study conducted by Hannah Schreier and other psychologists at the University of British Columbia which found that high school students who volunteered in the study had lower levels of cholesterol and inflammation compared to those who did not volunteer.

The article reports on the number of volunteers who claimed that volunteering has made them feel physically healthier and lowered their stress levels, according to the study by healthcare company UnitedHealth Group and research institute Optum Institute.

The article discusses the remedy of compassion fatigue in volunteers, where American clinical development instructor Melissa Johnston notes that it can lead to self-medicating with food, alcohol and drugs. She suggests switching volunteers to a responsibility that does not destined to have a bad outcome, providing someone for the volunteer to talk to about the situation and encouraging them to consider a new hobby or interest. Johnston also suggests offering a volunteer hiatus.

The article offers information on several reasons to feel happy regarding the world where people live in. It says that the profit of the bracelets made by Samburu women from Kenya go to the Thorn Tree Project, which funds scholarships and build schools in Africa. It mentions that Marissa Levesque created Pink-Surance organization, which provides funding to screen BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes mutation causing ovarian and breast cancer. It adds that volunteer people live longer than people who do not.

The article focuses on how volunteering helps improve the well-being of children and teenagers. Doctor of philosophy (PhD) Stephen G. Post notes that preteens and teenagers who expressed a desire to do good deeds were better at coping with the peaks and valleys of life and less susceptible to depression and certain stress-related illnesses. It suggests things that kids can do, such as collecting "Pennies for Peace" and making holiday gift bags for hospitalized kids.

The article reports that studies show that people who volunteer one to two hours a week live longer, are more satisfied with their lives, and are healthier than nonvolunteers. The article recommends the Internet site volunteermatch.org for volunteer opportunities.

Focuses on health issues of workers working at the site of the World Trade Center in New York City, New York that was destroyed in the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in the U.S. Symptoms of health-related problems displayed by workers at the site; Percentage of workers that have been diagnosed for respiratory illness as of November 2002; Factors contributing to such ailments.

Reports the health assessment of workers and volunteers at the cleanup and recovery of the World Trade Center in New York City. Contract between the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and Mount Sinai School of Medicine; Finance of screening examinations by the agency; Concerns of the exposure to fumes by the workers.