Just a quick news item for London-based OMers...
The Science Museum has an Everest exhibition on display today and tomorrow. It's based on the 'Xtreme Everest' expedition - a team of medics aiming to climb the 8850 m summit to investigate the effects of high altitude on the human body.
The exhibition itself features the tent that's set to become the world's highest medical laboratory, and much of the other kit the team are taking with them. It will all take a bit of carrying though. The tent - a Milsys Deployable Rapid Assemble Shelter tent - is going to be set up at 7,000 m (23,000 feet) on Everest's Western Cwm. Seven climbers have been chosen to get it there, in fourteen parts, before it's assembled. That's nothing to the high tech Lode Corival exercise bike, which will also make it up to 7,000 m on someone's back. We aren't jealous:-) You can try it out (riding it, not carry it), along with the rest of the gear, at the exhibition gallery.
On the medical side of things, you can have the oxygen level of your blood tested on the spot. (If you're not keen on needles, you'll be pleased to know that the test only involves clipping an electronic device to the end of your finger, rather than anything sharp.) This is one of many tests the scientists will be conducting on themselves as they climb Everest, with a view to treating anyone suffering from low oxygen levels in the blood more effectively in future. These include babies in incubators‚ Cystic Fibrosis sufferers, and people with lung diseases, as well as high altitude mountaineers.
The bad news is that the exhibition is only paying a flying visit to the Science Museum, so you'll have to get there fast. It's open on Tuesday and Wednesday this week (15th - 16th August) from 11.00 - 13.00 and 14.00 - 16.00. Follow signs to the Antenna gallery on the ground floor. Admission is free. Find out more on the Science Museum website.
