Crisis in Antarctica: can science teams ever prepare for isolated assignments?

Alleged assault at polar base shows the importance of research on cabin fever – including on future Mars missionsSouth Africa has a tight regime for scientists wanting to “overwinter” in Antarctica. The 13-month assignment to an isolated research base on the top of a cliff edge is, as the environment ministry drily puts it, “testing”. Average annual temperatures are -16C but drop much lower during the winter darkness.All applicants are subjected to psychometric anal