Articles tagged with Space Medicine
Researchers at Simon Fraser University have found that women's blood clots more slowly and then forms faster and stronger in microgravity, sparking concerns about health monitoring protocols for female astronauts who spend six months or more in orbit. This combination increases the risk of serious medical events, such as pulmonary embo...
A global team of scientists, led by University of Houston microbiologist Madhan Tirumalai, has identified the critical role of biofilms in human space exploration. Biofilms could influence astronaut health, drug delivery and space agriculture, while also posing risks to astronaut health.
The lack of widely accepted standards for managing reproductive health risks in space is a pressing concern. Limited reliable data from human studies shows that space can be hostile to human biology, with conditions like altered gravity, cosmic radiation, and circadian disruption affecting reproductive processes.
SPARK Microgravity plans to build Europe's first dedicated commercial orbital cancer lab, allowing researchers to run experiments impossible on Earth. This will accelerate the path from discovery to therapy, with microgravity enabling 3D tumor growth and revealing new drug targets.
A recent Buck Institute study revealed that spaceflight accelerates aging due to changes in immune cell composition and epigenetic markers. However, researchers also found evidence of intrinsic rejuvenation factors that can counteract these age-accelerating stressors.
The COSPAR 2025 Symposium released global guidelines on space weather, creating a unified language for scientists to share data and coordinate observations. The symposium also announced groundbreaking scientific discoveries, including AI-driven bioinformatics breakthroughs and insights into space hazards.
Researchers at ETH Zurich have successfully produced muscle tissue using a new biofabrication system called G-FLight in microgravity. The process enables rapid production of viable muscle constructs with similar cell viability and muscle fibers as those printed under gravity.
Researchers found that female astronauts showed a greater reduction in brain fluid shifts than their male counterparts. Globe flattening, a form of eye compression, was the most consistent eye change among crew members, with males experiencing more frequent changes.
A comprehensive guide describes the effects of spaceflight on the immune system, including microgravity, cosmic radiation, and sleep disruptions. The study provides integrated mechanistic insights into how these stressors alter immune physiology, with potential relevance in aging research.
A world-first study has proven microbes essential for human health can survive the extreme forces of space launch. The spores of Bacilus subtilis bacteria were launched high into the sky and found to withstand rapid acceleration, microgravity, and rapid deceleration.
A Houston Methodist research study reveals that 85% of astronauts on the International Space Station experienced at least one nasal or sinus issue, with 75% reporting nasal congestion. The study highlights the need for preventative measures and treatments tailored to space travel.
Nine European high school students spent months in an isolated habitat simulating life on Mars, developing essential skills like problem-solving and collaboration. The EXPLORE project aims to inspire a passion for STEAM subjects and prepares the next generation for actual space missions.
Three NSF-funded investigations are launching on NASA's SpaceX CRS-32 mission to ISS National Laboratory. Investigations aim to advance pharmaceutical manufacturing, develop new materials, and study active matter in microgravity environment.
A new study by University of Colorado Boulder researchers suggests that long-term exposure to Martian dust could lead to chronic respiratory problems, thyroid disease, and other health issues. The team identified toxic chemicals in the dust, including perchlorates, which can interfere with human thyroid function.
The ISS National Lab's new podcast, 'Between a Rocket & a Hard Space', offers exclusive insights from scientists, engineers, and visionaries on the future of space research. The first episode explores the groundbreaking science happening on the International Space Station, including its impact on medicine, technology, and industry.
The partnership aims to develop cutting-edge training programs, pioneer medical research, and enhance response capabilities in high-risk environments. UCF is creating a new space medicine curriculum involving students from various disciplines.
The American College of Lifestyle Medicine has partnered with the US Space Force to provide lifestyle medicine education, training, and certification to Guardian Resilience Team members. This initiative aims to enhance Space Force service members' health and performance through evidence-based lifestyle interventions.
The In-Space Physical AI Workshop, held at Rice University's Ion District, brought together top scientists and experts to explore AI applications in space. Key findings included the potential of AI to streamline spacecraft navigation and crew health management.
Astronauts on spacewalks will have access to clean drinking water thanks to a novel urine collection and filtration system for spacesuits. The system recycles urine with an efficiency of 87% through forward and reverse osmosis, providing a continuous supply of potable water.
Researchers analyzed blood samples from six astronauts before and after a 120-day mission on the ISS to identify changes in their bodies. The study found that extracellular DNA and RNA can be used to monitor responses to the space environment, including muscle atrophy, bone density loss, and fluid distribution fluctuations.
A team of researchers, including OHIO's Nate Szewczyk and students, published a comprehensive package of papers in Nature journals that transform our understanding of human space biology. The studies reveal how molecular biology and precision medicine can guide humanity into more challenging missions beyond Earth.
A new biomarker database, Space Omics and Medical Atlas (SOMA), has been developed to improve astronaut health, but its findings may also be useful for people on Earth with limited mobility or bedridden conditions. The database provides insights into short and long-term health impacts of spaceflight.
Researchers at Karolinska Institutet have found that weightlessness affects T cells in astronauts' immune systems, making them less effective at fighting infections. The study's results could lead to new treatments for reversing these changes.
Researchers at the University of Manchester are enhancing bioprinting technology to create new skin, bone, and tissue for transplantation in space. The project aims to protect astronauts' health from diseases like osteoporosis caused by microgravity exposure.
The PULSE project combines magnetic and acoustic levitation to bioprint highly sophisticated organoids that closely mimic human organs. These in vitro heart models will provide invaluable insights into cardiac physiology and pathology, enabling the development of preventive and therapeutic solutions.
Researchers confirm hydrogen inhalation improves brain function and alleviates pathological damage caused by hindlimb unloading. The study suggests a potential protective measure for astronauts during spaceflight, involving changes in PGC-1α and BDNF expression.
Researchers at the University of Birmingham are studying how humans can live and operate on Mars, simulating conditions using a unique facility 1.1 km below the surface. The project aims to investigate biomedical procedures for treating tissue damage in space crews.
Researchers investigated the impact of two diets on astronaut health during a simulated spaceflight environment. The study found that an enhanced diet high in fruits, vegetables, and fish improved cholesterol levels, cognitive function, and microbiome stability compared to a standard diet.
Astronauts in space can lose up to 20% of muscle mass after two weeks due to microgravity. Researchers are exploring the use of extracellular vesicles, which contain restorative chemicals, to trigger post-exercise recovery without traditional exercise.
Researchers at USC's Keck School of Medicine are collaborating with Polaris Dawn to develop a novel method for collecting X-rays in outer space. They aim to harness ambient radiation to create images using analog X-ray film, which could improve medical care on long-duration spaceflights.
A team of researchers proposes a program to collect astronauts' biological samples, enabling the use of cutting-edge technologies to understand gene, mRNA, protein, and metabolite changes in space. This approach aims to mitigate spaceflight risks and advance personalized medicine for astronauts.
A study of 17 international astronauts found that resistance-based exercises could help prevent bone loss and promote bone formation during spaceflight. The researchers observed that astronauts on longer missions showed less bone recovery, but those who completed more in-flight deadlift training recovered better.
A study found that Dragon's Blood alleviates brain damage, hematopoietic dysfunction, and gastrointestinal damage caused by radiation in rats. The compound regulates metabolism and redox homeostasis to protect the liver from damage.
A new study found that microgravity analog culture profoundly affects the microbial infection process in 3-D human tissue models. This is critical for ensuring astronaut health on extended space missions and sheds light on mysterious processes of infection on Earth.
A study of NASA, ESA, and Russian space agency data found that extended spaceflight leads to changes in the brain's perivascular spaces. The research, led by Medical University of South Carolina scientists, used MRI scans to evaluate brain changes before and after six months on the International Space Station.
A new study on nematode worms reveals that physical contact can help prevent neuromuscular decline in simulated microgravity. Researchers found that administering dopamine restored normal movement and body length in space-grown worms.
A world-first study found that space travel causes a 54% increase in red blood cell destruction, leading to severe anemia upon return to Earth. Astronauts experienced prolonged effects of anemia even after months of recovery.
Researchers found that astronauts with SANS have increased intracranial dural venous volumes, suggesting an association between intracranial venous congestion and SANS. This study provides insight into the effects of gravity on the brain and eyesight in space.
A study found that spaceflight alters liver gene expression and reduces antioxidant capacity in mice, leading to increased oxidative stress. However, exposure to artificial gravity can mitigate some of these effects, suggesting potential for dietary supplementation to offset changes during spaceflight.
Researchers found that DNA polymerases derived from E. coli are more prone to errors under microgravity, increasing the mutation rate and potentially leading to cancer. The study's results highlight the importance of designing rotating spaceships with artificial gravity to prevent negative effects on astronauts' health.
Research reviews show that back pain in space is often sciatica, a form of back pain radiating down the legs. Astronauts experience changes in spine curvature due to microgravity, leading to acute and chronic pain upon return to Earth.
Researchers have discovered strong indications of brain injury and accelerated aging following long-duration spaceflight. Blood samples from astronauts showed an increase in brain-derived proteins and a correlated response with time spent in space.
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.
A team of researchers characterized different bacterial populations isolated from the International Space Station's potable water system, exploring their functional properties and long-term interactions. The study aimed to improve microbial risk assessments for human-built environments in space and on Earth.
A study found that increasing tree canopy to 30% of land area could prevent over 400 premature adult deaths per year, representing 3% of the city's annual mortality. Increasing green spaces can also bring significant economic benefits, estimated at almost $4 billion annually.
A systematic review and meta-analysis of nine longitudinal studies involving over eight million people found that increasing green areas can prevent premature all-cause mortality. The analysis revealed a 4% reduction in premature mortality per each increment of 0.1 in vegetation score within 500 meters of the residence.
A team of researchers led by Michigan State University's George Mias will use molecular signatures to detect illnesses before they happen in astronauts. By monitoring an individual's wellness baseline and detecting early patterns of deviation, the team aims to provide treatment in advance of any outward symptoms.
Researchers propose roadmap for making humans resistant to radiation and stress damage, with a focus on radioresistance. The strategies aim to maximize productive life years in space, addressing challenges like high-LET radiation.
A new study by Florida State University researcher Michael Delp suggests that Apollo astronauts are experiencing higher rates of cardiovascular problems, likely caused by their exposure to deep space radiation. The study found that 43% of deceased Apollo astronauts died from a cardiovascular problem, four to five times higher than non-...
A new UK-RAS Network white paper led by Professor Yang Gao showcases the future of space robotics, predicting autonomous robots will replicate insects, birds, animals, and even humans on future missions. The report highlights technological advancements with applications in sectors like healthcare, mining, agriculture, and more.
The National Space Biomedical Research Institute has awarded $100,000 to ACell, Inc. and Enterade USA LLC to develop innovative medical solutions addressing unmet health needs in space and on Earth. The funding will support the commercialization of wound-healing dressings and a radiation-rehydration drink.
Astronauts may soon have a sweet treat in space thanks to Purdue University's discovery of a low-maintenance strawberry cultivar. The Seascape strawberry meets NASA guidelines for space crops due to its ability to thrive under shorter daylight periods, reducing energy requirements and labor needs.
The NIH-NASA partnership aims to facilitate biomedical research on the International Space Station, addressing pressing health questions through unique microgravity conditions. Biomedical experiments will focus on bone and muscle deterioration, infectious disease, cancer growth, and more, with the goal of improving human health on Earth.
A new high-resolution ultrasound imaging device, SCAD, can monitor and diagnose bone quantity, density and strength in space. The technology has the potential to aid diagnosis for a number of skeletal disorders and improve treatment outcomes for people suffering from osteoporosis.
The projects will investigate low dose radiation effects on human cells, DNA repair, and respiratory cells. Funding is provided by the DOE Office of Science's Office of Biological and Environmental Research and NASA's Space Radiation Health Program.