. | . |
Changed Man With 'Space Genes': Alterations in US Astronaut's Body Startled NASA by Staff Writers Washington (Sputnik) Mar 15, 2018
After a year in space International Space Station (ISS) astronaut Scott Kelly returned home slimmer, taller and with younger cells. However, some changes were not for the better. NASA researchers have revealed prelimenary results of the Twins Study project, which took a closer look at individual health and alterations, caused by space travel. The scientists studied the only identical twin astronauts in history, Scott and Mark Kelly, whose genetic codes became significantly different after Scott had spent 340 days aboard the ISS, while his brother stayed on Earth. The mission is a stepping stone to a three-year journey to Mars. NASA suggest a year-long journey may have activated the so-called "space genes," while others could have been switched off due to different types of stress. A year-long mission, significantly longer than standard six-month journeys, cased physical (low-gravity and low-oxygen environment) and mental stress. "Such actions can trigger the assembly of new molecules, like a fat or protein, cellular degradation, and can turn genes on and off, which change cellular function," stated the agency. The project group studied the brothers' levels of physical and mental stress before, during and after Scott's journey, charting the slightest changes. Some physical alteration, e.g. 2-inch difference in height, as well as most of genetic changes reversed after some time on Earth. However, seven percent of the astronaut's DNA seems to have changed permanently. These changes concern bone formation, oxygen deprivation, immune system responses and DNA repair after the space stress, most people don't experience naturally. For instance telomeres, which protect our chromosomes from dysfunctions, became longer, which is a sign of younger cells. At the same time his microflora changed, which led to more inflammations, while the bones became weaker. "The body thinks there's a reason to defend itself. We know there are aspects of being in space that are not a pleasant experience, and this is the molecular manifestation of the body responding to that stress," Twins Study researcher Christopher Mason told Business Insider. The Twins Study was the first study of its kind. The project involved 10 individual investigations, 12 universities, NASA biomedical laboratories and National Space Biomedical Research Institute - with over 200 researchers in more than 30 states. Source: Sputnik News
UH optometrist investigates changes in eye structure in astronauts Houston TX (SPX) Mar 14, 2018 Astronauts who spend time aboard the International Space Station return to Earth with changes to the structure of their eyes which could impact their vision. NASA has studied the phenomenon, known as space flight-associated neuro-ocular syndrome (SANS), for several years, and now a University of Houston optometrist has quantified some of the changes using optical coherence tomography imaging, reporting his findings in JAMA Ophthalmology. "We studied pre-flight and post-flight data from 15 astronau ... read more
|
|
The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2024 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us. |