Factors limiting the duration of artificially induced torpor in mice
Publication date: Available online 11 November 2019Source: Life Sciences in Space ResearchAuthor(s): Yuri Griko, Ervin Palma, Eugene Galicia, Florian SelchAbstractThe possibility of artificial induction of a torpid state in animals that do not naturally do so, as well as in humans, offers a great potential in biomedicine and in human spaceflight. However, the mechanisms of action that provide a coordinated and concomitant downregulation with a safe recovery from this state are poorly understood. In our previous study, we demonstrated that the metabolic rate of mice can be reduced by nearly 94% and can remain stable under h...
Source: Life Sciences in Space Research - November 12, 2019 Category: Biology Source Type: research
Altered Rodent Gait Characteristics after ∼35 Days in Orbit aboard the International Space Station
Publication date: Available online 8 November 2019Source: Life Sciences in Space ResearchAuthor(s): Andy Kwok, Samuel Rosas, Ted A. Bateman, Eric Livingston, Thomas L Smith, Joseph Moore, David C. Zawieja, Tom Hampton, Xiao W. Mao, Michael D. Delp, Jeffrey S. WilleyAbstractThe long-term adaptations to microgravity and other spaceflight challenges within the confines of a spacecraft, and readaptations to weight-bearing upon reaching a destination, are unclear. While post-flight gait change in astronauts have been well documented and reflect multi-system deficits, no data from rodents have been collected. Thus, the purpose o...
Source: Life Sciences in Space Research - November 9, 2019 Category: Biology Source Type: research
Effect of simulated microgravity and ionizing radiation on expression profiles of miRNA, lncRNA, and mRNA in human lymphoblastoid cells
Publication date: Available online 31 October 2019Source: Life Sciences in Space ResearchAuthor(s): Hanjiang Fu, Fei Su, Jie Zhu, Xiaofei Zheng, Changhui GeAbstractIn space, multiple unique environmental factors, particularly microgravity and space radiation, pose a constant threat to astronaut health. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) and long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are functional RNAs that play critical roles in regulating multiple cellular processes. To gain insight into the role of non-coding RNAs in response to radiation and microgravity, we analyzed RNA expression profiles in human lymphoblastoid TK6 cells incubated for 24 h unde...
Source: Life Sciences in Space Research - November 1, 2019 Category: Biology Source Type: research
EcAMSat spaceflight measurements of the role of σs in antibiotic resistance of stationary phase Escherichia coli in microgravity
We report the results of the EcAMSat (Escherichia coli Antimicrobial Satellite) autonomous space flight experiment, investigating the role of σs in the development of antibiotic resistance in uropathogenic E. coli (UPEC) in microgravity (µ-g). The presence of σs, encoded by the rpoS gene, has been shown to increase antibiotic resistance in Earth gravity, but it was unknown if this effect occurs in µ-g. Two strains, wildtype (WT) UPEC and its isogenic ΔrpoS mutant, were grown to stationary phase aboard EcAMSat, an 11-kg small satellite, and in a parallel ground-based control experiment; cell growth rates for the two st...
Source: Life Sciences in Space Research - November 1, 2019 Category: Biology Source Type: research
Acute Radiation Risk Assessment and Mitigation Strategies in Near Future Exploration Spaceflights
Publication date: Available online 31 October 2019Source: Life Sciences in Space ResearchAuthor(s): S. Hu, J.E. Barzilla, E. SemonesAbstractAs more exploration spaceflights are planned to travel beyond the protective Earth magnetosphere to deep space destinations, acute health risks due to possible high radiation doses during severe Solar Particle Events (SPEs) are of greater concern to mission planners and management teams. It is expected that some degree of Acute Radiation Syndromes (ARS) symptoms may be observed, but the specific list of health risks that are relevant to exploration missions has been ambiguous and debat...
Source: Life Sciences in Space Research - October 31, 2019 Category: Biology Source Type: research
Semi-continuous fermentation of solid waste in closed artificial ecosystem: microbial diversity, function genes evaluation
In this study, solid wastes including wheat straw, human and yellow mealworm feces were disposed in a semi-continuous bio-convertor for 105 days in a ground-based experimental BLSS platform (Lunar Palace 1). Solid wastes at different periods were sampled and the microbial community variation, functional genes and metabolic pathways were analyzed. The results showed phyla Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes and Proteobacteria predominated in all samples. While microbial community structures at genus level were significantly different, indicating selective enrichment during the 105-day process. The abundance of functional gene related...
Source: Life Sciences in Space Research - October 19, 2019 Category: Biology Source Type: research
Predictions of Cognitive Detriments from Galactic Cosmic Ray Exposures to Astronauts on Exploration Missions
Publication date: Available online 16 October 2019Source: Life Sciences in Space ResearchAuthor(s): Francis A. Cucinotta, Eliedonna CacaoABSTRACTFor the first-time we report on predictions on cognitive detriments from galactic cosmic ray (GCR) exposures on long-duration space missions outside the protection of the Earth's magnetosphere and solid body shielding. Estimates are based on a relative risk (RR) model of the fluence response for proton and heavy ion in rodent studies using the widely used novel object recognition (NOR) test, which estimates detriments in recognition or object memory. Our recent meta-analysis showe...
Source: Life Sciences in Space Research - October 19, 2019 Category: Biology Source Type: research
Regenerative water purification for space applications: needs, challenges, and technologies towards 'closing the loop'
Publication date: Available online 15 October 2019Source: Life Sciences in Space ResearchAuthor(s): Melanie T. Pickett, Luke Roberson, Jorge Calabria, Talon Bullard, Gary Turner, Daniel H. YehAbstractHuman missions to establish surface habitats on the Moon and Mars are planned in the coming decades. Extraplanetary surface habitat life support systems (LSS) will require new complexity to withstand these unique, harsh environments. In order to provide safe, habitable environments for the crew, water purification systems that are robust and reliable must be in place. These water purification systems will be required to treat ...
Source: Life Sciences in Space Research - October 16, 2019 Category: Biology Source Type: research
Report of the Joint Workshop on Induced Special Regions
Publication date: Available online 15 October 2019Source: Life Sciences in Space ResearchAuthor(s): Michael Meyer, Corien Bakermans, David Beaty, Douglas Bernard, Penelope Boston, Vincent Chevrier, Catharine Conley, Ingrid Feustel, Raina Gough, Timothy Glotch, Lindsay Hays, Karen Junge, Robert Lindberg, Michael Mellon, Michael Mischna, Clive Neal, Betsy Pugel, Richard Quinn, Francois Raulin, Nilton RennóAbstractThe Joint Workshop on Induced Special Regions convened scientists and planetary protection experts to assess the potential of inducing special regions through lander or rover activity. A Special Region is defined a...
Source: Life Sciences in Space Research - October 16, 2019 Category: Biology Source Type: research
Zoster Patients on Earth and Astronauts in Space Share Similar Immunologic Profiles
DiscussionThe pattern of immune dysregulation in zoster patients is similar to that of astronauts during spaceflight who shed VZV DNA in their saliva. Because future deep space exploration missions will be of an unprecedented duration, prolonged immune depression and chronic viral reactivation threaten to manifest overt disease in exploration class astronauts. (Source: Life Sciences in Space Research)
Source: Life Sciences in Space Research - October 16, 2019 Category: Biology Source Type: research
Changes of Brain DTI in healthy human subjects after 520 days isolation and confinement on a simulated mission to Mars
DiscussionLong-term confinement does have measurable effects on the microstructure of the brain white matter. We assume effects of sensory deprivation to account for the regional FA reductions seen in the right TPJ. The differences in the Corpus callosum were interpreted as due to preliminary conditions, e.g. personality traits or training effects. FA and radial diffusivity were the predominant DTI parameters with significant changes, suggesting underlying processes of myelin plasticity. (Source: Life Sciences in Space Research)
Source: Life Sciences in Space Research - October 16, 2019 Category: Biology Source Type: research
Special issue: Planetary Protection: new aspects of policy and requirements
Publication date: Available online 27 September 2019Source: Life Sciences in Space ResearchAuthor(s): Francois Raulin, Athena Coustenis, Gerhard Kminek, Niklas Hedman (Source: Life Sciences in Space Research)
Source: Life Sciences in Space Research - September 27, 2019 Category: Biology Source Type: research
Radiation environment created with GCRs inside a spacecraft
Publication date: Available online 12 September 2019Source: Life Sciences in Space ResearchAuthor(s): M.I. Dobynde, Y.Y. ShpritsAbstractWe use the GEANT4 Monte-Carlo code to calculate radiation dose equivalent due to GCR during an out-of-magnetosphere space flight. We provide a detailed analysis of radiation dose composition, distinguishing between the contribution of primary GCR particles and different species of secondary particles. We show that for realistic spacecraft shielding, the radiation dose equivalent is mostly determined with GCR protons and alphas. The radiation dose is lower behind a shielding with a larger r...
Source: Life Sciences in Space Research - September 13, 2019 Category: Biology Source Type: research
The transfer of unsterilized material from Mars to Phobos: laboratory tests, modelling and statistical evaluation
Publication date: Available online 20 August 2019Source: Life Sciences in Space ResearchAuthor(s): M.R. Patel, V.K. Pearson, D.J. Evans, D.J. Summers, S. Paton, P. Truscott, T. Pottage, A. Bennett, J.P.D. Gow, M.D. Goodyear, J.P. Mason, M.R. Leese, R.D. PatelAbstractSample return missions to Phobos are the subject of future exploration plans. Given the proximity of Phobos to Mars, Mars’ potential to have supported life, and the possibility of material transfer from Mars to Phobos, careful consideration of planetary protection is required. If life exists, or ever existed, on Mars, there is a possibility that material carr...
Source: Life Sciences in Space Research - August 21, 2019 Category: Biology Source Type: research
Planetary Protection Classification of Samples Returned from the Martian Moons: Summary of a Review by the European Science Foundation and the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine
Publication date: Available online 21 August 2019Source: Life Sciences in Space ResearchAuthor(s): David H. Smith, Emmanouil DetsisAbstractThis work summarizes the review undertaken by a joint committee of the European Science Foundation and the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine into the transfer of viable organisms from the surface of Mars to its moons—Phobos and Deimos—as a consequence of a giant impact on the martian surface. The possibility that viable organisms could survive ejection from Mars and subsequent deposition on Phobos or Deimos is an important consideration in determining whether ...
Source: Life Sciences in Space Research - August 21, 2019 Category: Biology Source Type: research
