The Kentucky Space consortium is involved in a medical experiment underway aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavour.Kentucky Space co-founder Kris Kimel says the shuttle’s payload includes a line of Glioblastoma cells."Glioblastoma, of course, is one of the most deadly types of cancers and chiefly brain cancer. And we’re looking at how those kinds of cells might react in microgravity with an eye toward possibly helping to develop a new kind of treatment," he said. The cells will spend two weeks on the shuttle then will be taken to Morehead State University for study. Scientists from the University of Rome are also involved in the experiment.Kentucky Space, which includes universities, private companies and other organizations, has been involved in several shuttle missions.
Rick Howlett was midday host and the host of LPM's weekly talk show, "In Conversation." He was with LPM from 2001-2023 and held many different titles, including Morning Edition host, Assignment Editor and Interim News Director. He died in August 2023. Read a remembrance of Rick here.