A study found that microgravity significantly impacts P-glycoprotein expression and function in rats, with higher levels of P-gp expression in long-term microgravity exposure. The researchers identified 26 proteins interacting with P-gp, which regulated ATP hydrolysis-coupled transmembrane transport and other functions.
UMass Lowell students have designed and built a miniature satellite, SPACE HAUC, which will be launched into Earth's orbit this fall. The satellite aims to demonstrate fast data transmission technology, and its success will train the next generation of astronomers and space scientists.
Researchers are working to improve space weather forecasting to prevent power grid damage and satellite communications disruptions. The University of Michigan's Space Weather Modeling Framework uses a global representation of Earth's Geospace environment to predict magnetic disturbances on the ground.
Researchers have developed a novel method for studying DNA repair in yeast cells that can be conducted entirely in space, using CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing technology. The technique successfully demonstrated the viability of the new method on the ISS, paving the way for extensive research into DNA repair in space.
Researchers analyzed over 900 patents to identify key technological trends in the New Space economy. The study found that data is the most valuable asset in this ecosystem, with 62% of patents related to data products and services. Emerging topics include active constellation management and new satellite systems design.
A recent study found that urban green spaces, including parks and gardens, have a positive correlation with citizen happiness. The study analyzed data from satellite images of 60 countries and found that the area of green space acted as a more important factor affecting happiness in countries with higher GDP per capita.
A global correlation between urban green space and happiness was found across 60 countries using satellite imagery data. The study revealed that urban green space adds to happiness beyond the baseline determined by a nation's wealth.
Researchers detected acoustic signals from 7 rocket types, including Space Shuttles and Falcon 9s, up to 9,000 km away. They identified different stages of flight for these rockets using infrasound signatures recorded at IMS stations.
Researchers found that space travel perturbs human physiology, leading to weaker immune responses and increased susceptibility to infections. The study suggests that T regulator cells (Tregs) play a key role in the weakening of an astronaut's immune system during space travel.
Researchers developed new software for improved space weather prediction, leveraging supercomputers and advanced computing techniques to analyze magnetized solar wind plasma. This effort aims to enhance the accuracy of predictions for coronal mass ejections and their impact on Earth's magnetosphere.
Scientists have discovered a clear pattern in extreme space weather events, making it possible to predict when they will occur. The findings suggest that Moon missions may be delayed to avoid the most intense periods of solar activity, which can pose risks to astronauts and satellites.
Researchers at the Centre Spatial de Liège developed a method to identify and characterize stray light on space telescopes using femto-second pulsed lasers. This will improve the quality of images and develop more efficient space instruments.
The world's largest and most powerful space science telescope, NASA's James Webb Space Telescope, has completed a key milestone with the fully expanded and locked primary mirror.
Researchers from Osaka University have made a groundbreaking discovery about the behavior of laser pulses in free space. They found that laser pulse intensity can propagate in a straight line, with the forward-propagating velocity being the speed of light and the backward-propagating velocity being subluminal.
Scientists quantify space-time nonseparability of electromagnetic pulses using quantum state tomography and calculate fidelity, concurrence, and entanglement. They propose novel concepts for measuring space-time entanglement in structured light, opening new avenues for ultrahigh-capacity communication and high-security encryption.
A team of scientists detected a space hurricane in Earth's polar ionosphere and magnetosphere, revealing a long-lasting, swirling mass of plasma. The analysis allowed a 3D image to be created of the hurricane, which rained electrons instead of water.
Space radiation poses significant risks to astronaut cardiovascular health, including myocardial remodeling, atherosclerosis, and inflammation. Research highlights the potential of antioxidant treatments, such as vitamin C and spinach, to protect astronauts from space-induced damage.
The VENUS device simulates complex organic molecules in interstellar space conditions by replicating the strong vacuum and frigid temperatures found in space. This allows researchers to better understand how these molecules form and potentially identify prebiotic species involved in early life processes.
A novel cathode design concept has been proposed to improve the performance of lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries, which are considered attractive alternatives to lithium-ion batteries. The new design eliminates the polysulfide shuttle effect, reducing the battery's life cycle and increasing its energy density.
A RUDN University professor suggested using a spacecraft-collector to remove space debris from lower orbits, which requires more complex equipment. For geostationary orbits, a tow-based approach is proposed, where the collector transports debris objects into the disposal orbit.
Researchers found that space travel can make cellular mitochondria dysfunctional due to changes in gravity, radiation exposure, and other factors. This has significant implications for future space travel and medical science on Earth.
Researchers found subtle changes in about 1,000 genes and stronger effects in some genes, particularly among neurons, after exposing worms to low gravity. The study aims to understand the underlying molecular mechanisms of spaceflight-induced health decline in humans and identify potential therapy targets.
Researchers found that D. radiodurans produced outer membrane vesicles and initiated multifaceted protein responses to alleviate cell stress after 1 year of exposure to low Earth orbit. The bacteria also used polyamine putrescine as a reactive oxygen species scavenger during regeneration.
Project Man in Space, initiated by social psychologist Donald Michael in 1955, aimed to capture public opinion on space exploration. The program's research revealed strong interest in Sputnik and influenced public support for new initiatives, but also perpetuated utopian narratives that obscured military applications.
A team of MIT chemical engineers has developed a system to continuously remove carbon dioxide from waste gases using an electrochemically assisted membrane. The membrane's permeability can be switched on and off at will, allowing for continuous operation without moving parts or wasted space.
A new optical communications ground station is being built in Western Australia to receive high-speed data transmissions from space. The station will be part of a larger network and support groundbreaking projects, including NASA's Artemis mission.
Sustainable space management is at risk under US-centric policies that prioritize national regulation over international cooperation. The Artemis Accords could lead to a 'race to the bottom' in space mining regulations, threatening lunar stability and increasing asteroid mining risks.
A review highlights the potential of treating space travelers with treatments targeting the gut microbiome to protect against negative health effects. Promoting a healthy gut microbiome may be key to reaching Mars in one piece.
Researchers found that thick aggregates of bacteria Deinococcus can provide sufficient protection for survival during several years in space. The study suggests that these aggregates could potentially survive travel between Earth and Mars, supporting the theory of panspermia.
The James Webb Space Telescope successfully completed a critical ground segment test, demonstrating the complete end-to-end flow from planning science observations to downlinking data. This milestone validates the observatory's ability to respond to commands and function in space.
Scientists have discovered that auroral beads are caused by turbulence in the plasma surrounding Earth, which precedes substorms and triggers auroras. The new models provide a broader picture of the near-space environment, helping researchers better understand swirling structures seen in auroras.
A new method was developed to study fast Coronal Mass Ejections and predict the most extreme space weather events. These events can cause strong geomagnetic storms that affect space and Earth-based engineering systems.
Researchers sent perovskite and organic solar cells on a rocket into space, withstanding extreme conditions to produce power from direct sunlight and reflective light. The technology offers a promising solution for future space missions, as it is incredibly light and flexible, producing up to 14 milliwatts per square centimeter.
The amount of space debris has increased exponentially over the decades, posing a significant challenge for safely operating spacecrafts in lower Earth orbit. WVU engineer Piyush Mehta is working on improving drag prediction accuracy with the help of a $125,000 NASA award.
The WVU Robotic Technology Center and Maxar are collaborating on the SPIDER project to demonstrate in-space assembly of a satellite using a lightweight robotic arm. The technology developed under SPIDER could enable self-assembling commercial satellites, human space exploration, and in-space telescope assembly.
The project aims to develop advanced compression space suits designed to protect astronauts from physical strains in space missions. The technology is also transferable to medical applications for burns, sports injuries, lymphedema, osteoporosis, and cerebral palsy.
A new £20M research program will enhance UK's space weather monitoring capability, enabling faster and more accurate predictions of solar superstorms and severe space weather events. The University of Birmingham leads the effort, developing data modeling technology to underpin the work.
The University of Melbourne will develop a small, powerful satellite called SpIRIT to launch in 2022. The spacecraft will host an X-ray detector provided by the Italian Space Agency and demonstrate Australian-made space capabilities.
The James Webb Space Telescope has successfully tested its deployable tower extension, a critical component that allows the observatory to cool down and unfold in space. The test simulated zero-gravity conditions and performed exactly as predicted, providing valuable insights into the telescope's performance.
A new study suggests that implementing orbital-use fees for satellites in orbit could reduce collision risk and increase the industry's long-run value. The fees, which would be calculated based on projected costs of additional collision risk and space debris production, could quadruple the value of the satellite industry by 2040.
The James Webb Space Telescope has achieved a significant milestone by being fully folded and stowed into its launch configuration. The observatory will unfold and stretch itself out in space before making groundbreaking observations of the cosmos.
Researchers demonstrate laser-propulsion of graphene sails in microgravity, accelerating prototypes up to 1 m/s². The scalable design minimizes sail mass, paving the way for human lifespans to reach other star systems.
The Hubble Space Telescope has unveiled a breathtaking portrait of a firestorm of starbirth in the Large Magellanic Cloud, a satellite galaxy of the Milky Way. This iconic image, nicknamed the 'Cosmic Reef,' showcases the telescope's enduring legacy and transformative impact on modern astronomy.
A NASA-built instrument uses shearing force to grow E. coli bacteria, demonstrating a more suitable method for space travel than existing alternatives. The research opens a new path to bio-manufacturing drugs during long-term space flights.
Researchers at UC San Diego Health are developing a dedicated space stem cell orbital research laboratory within the International Space Station (ISS) to study microgravity's effects on human biology. The studies aim to understand aging, degenerative diseases, and cancers in space, with potential applications for therapeutics on Earth.
Researchers found that mild mitochondrial depolarization minimizes damage from reactive oxygen species and serves an anti-aging function in naked mole rats and bats. This process involves the shuttle of ATP and ADP through the mitochondrial membrane to certain kinase metabolic sites.
Researchers at Kennedy Space Center successfully grew red romaine lettuce in space onboard the International Space Station, demonstrating its safety and nutritional value. The study found that space-grown lettuce was similar to Earth-grown controls in terms of composition but showed increased levels of certain nutrients and antioxidants.
Scientists at the University of Groningen mapped the structure of a transport complex in bacteria, revealing that it works very efficiently using three independent lifts. This discovery has implications for human brain cells, where a similar transporter plays a vital role in signal transduction.
A new international advisory system is working to keep aircraft crew and passengers safe from space weather impacts. The system predicts disruptions from solar activity and helps airlines adjust flight paths to minimize impacts on navigation and communications systems.
Researchers at the University of Washington developed a mathematical model that describes how rotating detonation engines work. The model allows engineers to determine whether an engine is stable or unstable and assess its performance. This breakthrough could lead to more efficient and lightweight spacecraft.
Astronomers at Kazan Federal University used a powerful space exploration tool to discover a new binary star system. The team employed the gravitational lensing method to track changes in brightness and confirm the presence of two stars.
Researchers developed a system to accurately detect space debris in Earth's orbit using laser ranging telescopes and neural networks. The new algorithm significantly improves the success rate of space debris detection, allowing for safer spacecraft maneuvers.
Researchers at Université de Montrêl are working on a new way to measure the mechanics of the human eye to protect astronauts from adverse impacts of space travel on their vision. The team has developed a non-invasive technology that can identify astronauts at risk of developing ocular damage before they go into space.
Researchers on Australia's first space research mission to the International Space Station will investigate how microgravity affects aggressive cancers like ovarian, breast, and lung cancer. The mission may lead to new treatments that enhance existing therapies.
Researchers are developing robotic networks that can work independently but collaboratively to accomplish complex tasks. By using genetic fuzzy logic, they were able to get three robots and then five robots to move a token to a designated spot on a table.
Scientists have developed a novel polymer binder with single lithium-ion channels that effectively immobilizes polysulfide intermediates, maintaining the structure integrity of sulfide cathodes. The binder improves Li-S battery performance by increasing energy density and capacity retention.
A new solar power generator prototype developed by Ben-Gurion University of the Negev and US research teams will be deployed on a NASA flight to the International Space Station. The compact system could provide unprecedented watt per kilogram of power, critical to lowering costs for private space flight.
A new study found that long-duration space missions change brain structure and function in NASA astronauts, correlating with declines in motor skills and cognitive performance. Researchers hope to better understand the effects of microgravity on the human brain to improve astronaut safety.
A study published in Scientific Reports found that male mice sent to space for 35 days retained their reproductive ability upon return. The research team also reported healthy offspring with no effects from the parents' space stay.
A new study finds that increasing levels of 'good' cholesterol reversed disease in the blood vessels of mice with diabetes, reversing atherosclerosis. The study also shows that raising functional HDL levels stopped inflammation and improved cardiovascular disease processes.