Video: Finding a Cure Aboard the International Space Station

Though NASA might be best known for studying faraway galaxies and the contours of Mars, having a science lab orbiting the planet can help provide solutions to problems back on Earth.

Since 2003, NASA and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency have conducted medical experiments to find a cure for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.

DMD primarily affects young boys, roughly 1 in 3,600. The disease causes muscles to weaken over time, eventually leaving those suffering immobile.

Researchers had previously tried crystalizing the proteins associated with the condition to study it better, but Earth's gravity negatively affected the crystal growth. Enter the International Space Station.

Since then, NASA and JAXA have conducted 16 of the protein crystal growth experiments in microgravity. Through this, scientists were able to create a medicine that drastically delays the effects of the disease.

"What this means is: We may be able to slow the disease by half," said Dr. Yoshiro Urade, who worked with JAXA on the experiments. "Instead of being in a wheelchair at 12, we might be able to push that age to 25. Instead of being dependent on a respirator at 20 years old, it would be 40. What we're talking about is potentially doubling the lifespan of many of these DMD patients."

To learn more about the research, check out the video below from NASA: