Medical
Research
 The
typical Antarctic station offers a unique medical research environment.
The population are fit, usually young, eat the same diet, experience
the same environment, are isolated from the rest of the world for
long periods, and are subject to great seasonal differences in temperatures
and sunlight. Current research projects include: microbiological
studies on station personnel (see Did You
Know, on this page), studies on body
rhythms (specifically hormonal-related sleep patterns), healthcare,
and the psychology of small groups.
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Like a Space
Station
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Many people expect medical research in
Antarctica to be about cold resistance.
However, while there is continuing interest
in this topic, the real opportunities in Antarctic medical
research center around evaluations of social behavior and
human physiology in isolated environments.
Conditions experienced by Antarctic station
personnel during winter are similar to conditions on a space
station.
Also, of interest to researchers are the
characteristics of immunity from common viral, infections--and
the existence of viruses--during periods of such isolation.
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Body
Rhythms: The hormone melatonin is closely associated with
regulating sleeping patterns. The long Antarctic night removes the
normal melatonin secretion trigger -- bright sunlight, thereby affecting
sleep.
Medical records show that Antarctica is
a comparatively healthy place to live.
However, living in isolation and far
from sources of infection appears to lower natural immunity.
Colds or flu can spread rapidly among
a station's overwintering population with the arrival of new
personnel at the end of winter.
Antarctic stations during winter provide
a unique opportunity to study how a disease spreads among
people.
Using the latest molecular biology techniques,
it is possible, on a small station, to characterize every
strain of a particular microbe and monitor its development
and transmission.
Epidemiologists use the rate of evolution
of Antarctic microbe strains as a basis against which to examine
natural change in microbial populations.
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Studies on using bright
light to suppress melatonin secretion and on using melatonin tablets
to increase the hormone have yielded promising results. Obviously,
a method for correcting sleep disturbance is of great social and industrial
importance.
Healthcare:
Healthcare research at present is concerned with microbubble formation
in divers, carbon monoxide effects in field camps and huts, and
the effects of diet on health. Understanding how diet and the timing
of meals affects secretion patterns for several key hormones is
opening up new insights into a problem that affects millions of
people worldwide. 
All Antarctic
station personnel must undergo stringent health checks before they
are permitted to head south. How a country performs health checks
is largely dependent on cultural attitudes towards health care.
Some countries undertake psychological testing (Australia, New Zealand
and France), while others require a wide range of chemical and physiological
tests (Italy). India is investigating the value of yoga in promoting
good health at its Antarctic stations. With increasing movement
of scientists between national programs, nations are trying to agree
on a standard minimum health check acceptable to all.
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The
Psychology of Small Groups:
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Psychologists are fascinated by the social
dynamics of remote groups.
In Antarctica, you have an ideal opportunity
to study personality characteristics and human interactions.
Three features of behavior are of particular
interest: job performance, emotional stability, and how well
a person integrates within a group.
A wide range of tests have been used,
and in many countries the conclusions have been incorporated
into the screening programs for selecting recruits.
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