Tag: Space Biology
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QuickCheck: Has a fungus in Chernobyl evolved to feed on radiation?
Introduction: The Chernobyl mystery When the 1986 Chernobyl disaster released unprecedented radiation into the environment, scientists expected a barren landscape. Yet, decades later, life persists in surprising forms. Among the most intriguing questions is whether certain fungi have evolved to feed on radiation, turning ionizing rays into an energy source rather than merely enduring the…
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China launches Shenzhou-21 mission to Tiangong space station
China’s Shenzhou-21 Mission Docks with Tiangong Space Station China successfully launched the Shenzhou-21 spacecraft and its three-astronaut crew, who docked with the Tiangong space station in the early hours of Saturday. The mission marks another milestone in China’s ambitious plan to expand its presence in low Earth orbit and advance long-duration human spaceflight research. The…
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China Launches Shenzhou-21 Mission to Tiangong Space Station
Three astronauts dock at Tiangong in latest Shenzhou mission China conducted another bold stride in human spaceflight as the Shenzhou-21 mission successfully docked with the Tiangong space station early Saturday. The crew, consisting of three Chinese astronauts, included the country’s youngest person to orbit, underscoring China’s ongoing commitment to expanding its presence in low Earth…
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NASA Spaceline Current Awareness List #1,169 (October 10, 2025): Space Life Science Research Results and Funding Highlights
Overview of NASA-backed Space Life Science Findings The latest NASA Spaceline Current Awareness List (#1,169) dated 10 October 2025 offers a comprehensive snapshot of recent research results in space life science, with a focus on studies supported by NASA funding. The compilation highlights diverse topics—from the effects of spaceflight on task performance to regenerative medicine…
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Space Life Science 2025: Key Findings from NASA’s Current Awareness List #1,168
Overview of NASA’s Current Awareness List #1,168 (October 3, 2025) NASA’s Space Life Science Current Awareness List serves as a beacon for the latest research related to space biology, physiology, and life support systems. The October 3, 2025 edition spotlights a broad spectrum of work derived from NASA support, ranging from fundamental physiology in microgravity…
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Gut Bacteria Survive Spaceflight: Health in Deep Space
Guts vs. Gravity: A Milestone in Space Biology Scientists have long studied how the human body endures the rigors of space, from bone density loss to immune changes. A new Australian-led study turns the lens toward the tiny residents inside us: gut bacteria. In a bold experiment, researchers sent spores of Bacillus subtilis—a bacterium naturally…
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Gut Bacteria Survive Space Travel: Earthly Microbes Endure Launch, Microgravity, and Reentry
Spaceflight and the Human Microbiome: A Surprising Resilience In a development that blends microbiology with space exploration, scientists report that a common gut bacterium’s spores can endure the extreme rigors of space travel. The study, conducted in Australia and published in npj Microgravity, tested Bacillus subtilis spores—an organism well known for its resilience and its…
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Bacillus subtilis Survives Space Launch: Microbes Endure
Groundbreaking finding: microbes can endure the brutal journey into space A new, world-first study led by Australian researchers demonstrates that the spores of Bacillus subtilis, a bacterium important for human health, can survive the punishing conditions of a suborbital space flight. The experiment blasted these hardy microbes to the edge of space in a sounding…
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Bacillus subtilis Survives Space Launch: Microbial Resilience
Introduction: A Milestone in Space Microbiology A world-first Australian-led study has demonstrated that Bacillus subtilis spores, a bacterium important for human health, can survive the extreme conditions of a space launch. The finding offers crucial insights for long-duration missions and future Mars settlements, where maintaining a healthy microbiome is essential for crew performance and wellbeing.…
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Bacteria Survive Space Launch and Re-Entry: Implications for Mars
New evidence from an Australian-led study shows Bacillus subtilis spores can endure the harsh dynamics of spaceflight As space agencies outline bold plans to send crews to Mars within decades, scientists are racing to understand how living organisms cope with the extreme conditions of space travel. A recent Australian-led study provides a critical clue: the…