"Risky Business: The Dangers of Space Salads for Mars Missions"

New research suggests that microgravity conditions on the International Space Station can make lettuce more vulnerable to pathogens, potentially leading to foodborne illnesses for astronauts. The study found that plants grown in simulated microgravity were more susceptible to colonization by the pathogen Salmonella, as their stomata remained open when exposed to bacteria. This vulnerability could pose a risk to future crewed space missions, prompting scientists to consider genetic modifications or other strategies to mitigate the risk of contamination in space-grown produce.