Fruit flies to be sent to the International Space Station to study impact on the human heart

LA JOLLA - Two scientists at the La Jolla-based Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute will send fruit flies to the International Space Station to study the impact of space travel on the human heart, the institute announced today.

A team led by institute researchers Rolf Bodmer and Karen Ocorr was one of eight to win a competition to place experiments aboard the ISS.

Bodmer said the selection will provide them with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for their studies.

''Understanding the effects of microgravity on heart function will be important for keeping astronauts healthy during extende...