Spacecraft microbes “sleep” to survive sterilization
Researchers discovered a bacterium in NASA’s spacecraft assembly facilities that can enter a hibernation state to survive…
Category: How could humans travel in space?
Human space flight is a new and dangerous frontier with a lot of links left to work out. What do we know so far?
What causes Cosmic Kidney Disease?
Researchers found exposure to low gravity and radiation in space caused restructuring of the kidneys and negative health effects in…
Could tardigrades survive on Mars?
Researchers found tiny, indestructible “water bears” survived exposure to high levels of toxic salts similar to those found in Martian…
Could microbes feed astronauts on Mars?
Scientists found that photosynthesizing microbes grown on a synthetic mixture of Martian dust and astronaut pee could supplement a healthy…
How can astronauts regain balance after spaceflight?
Scientists found that astronauts with coordination problems after space missions could suffer from a malfunctioning central nervous system.
Microgravity weakens our immune system
Researchers found the immune cells of volunteers kept in simulated microgravity were slower to activate and fight infection.
What causes decompression sickness in astronauts?
Scientists found tracers for inflammation and traumatic brain damage in people who climbed to high altitudes mimicking the low pressure…
How does a cabbage seed respond to being in space?
If humans are to ever leave planet Earth, one of the first challenges we must face is how to feed ourselves. Space is hostile to life, with…
Could quantum dots reduce the cost of indoor farming?
Why does this help plants? Plants can capture energy from many colors of light, but they cannot use energy from ultraviolet radiation. By…
Bacteria found with superpowers that let them survive in space
Scientists who study how humans might travel through space found a handful of specific genes that give bacteria some cool superpowers.