Tag

Microgravity

All articles tagged with #microgravity

science2 days ago•6 min saved

Cygnus XL Set to Deliver Breakthrough Research Tools to the ISS

NASA's Expedition 74 crew is prepping for the Cygnus XL cargo mission to the ISS, delivering advanced microgravity research tools that could revolutionize quantum computing, stem cell therapies, and astronaut health. The week includes Canadarm2 capture and installation training on the Unity module, spacesuit maintenance and battery swaps, plus international collaboration with Roscosmos and ESA tech demonstrations to push toward future deep-space exploration.

via The Daily Galaxy|

#cygnus #iss #microgravity

space13 days ago•64 min saved

Nuclear rockets, lunar ambitions, and the munchies: this week in science

This week’s science roundup spotlights NASA’s plan for a $20 billion lunar base and a nuclear-powered spacecraft for interplanetary travel, new findings that zero gravity severely hampers human reproduction in space, and an explainer on why cannabis triggers intense munchies, alongside broader science news including climate implications from the Iran conflict.

via Live Science|

#cannabis-munchies #microgravity #nasa

science13 days ago•34 min saved

Cosmic parenthood in doubt as space-like microgravity halves sperm navigation

New microgravity experiments using a tiny obstacle course showed human and mouse sperm navigated about 50% less effectively in space-like conditions, resulting in roughly a 30% drop in fertilization. While some sperm still reach the egg and may form higher-quality embryos, embryo development in weightlessness could pose major challenges, suggesting space reproduction may be possible only for the fittest sperm and with careful embryo protection as NASA pursues Moon and Mars settlements.

via Yahoo|

#embryo-development #microgravity #reproduction

space-exploration14 days ago•75 min saved

Space reproduction hurdles: microgravity slows sperm and embryo development

A University of Adelaide study used a 3D clinostat to simulate microgravity and found that sperm from humans, mice, and pigs had about 30% fewer chances to reach eggs in microgravity, while embryos formed under these conditions initially appeared stronger but degraded with longer exposure. The results suggest mammalian reproduction in space could be highly challenging for long-term space settlements, though future work could explore partial gravity (Moon/Mars) and potential IVF advances on Earth.

via Space|

#embryos #ivf #microgravity

space14 days ago•97 min saved

Microgravity May Block Reproduction, Complicating Space Colonization

A study using a clinostat to simulate microgravity found that sperm navigation, fertilization, and embryo development are impaired in mammals (humans, mice, and pigs) under near-zero gravity, with fertilization dropping by about 30% in mice and 15% in pigs and embryos showing developmental delays. Progesterone helped sperm navigate but required unusually high concentrations, and safety concerns remain. These findings highlight gravity’s deep role in reproductive biology and suggest that long-term space settlements face significant fertility challenges, underscoring the need for further research before space colonization can be considered viable.

via Live Science|

#astronauts #fertility #microgravity

science15 days ago•4 min saved

Sperm Lose Direction in Microgravity, Raising Spaceflight Reproduction Concerns

Researchers used a 3D clinostat to simulate microgravity and tested human, pig, and mouse sperm in a channel resembling the female reproductive tract; they found a significant drop in the number of sperm reaching the egg under microgravity, not due to motor changes but impaired direction sensing; fertilization dropped about 30% after four hours of exposure, with longer exposure causing delays and fewer embryos; progesterone could still guide sperm, indicating chemotaxis remains important; the findings, published in Communications Biology, imply spaceflight could affect reproductive outcomes in humans and livestock, highlighting the need for further research.

via ScienceAlert|

#fertilization #microgravity #reproduction

space15 days ago•3 min saved

Sperm Lose Direction in Microgravity, Prompting Space Reproduction Research

Australian researchers used a clinostat to simulate microgravity and found human, mouse, and pig sperm become disoriented, with about a 40% drop in those reaching a simulated egg; microgravity also affected early embryo development in animals, though healthy embryos could form, and progesterone helped guide sperm. The findings underscore the importance of understanding reproduction in space for future Moon/Mars settlements and ongoing space biology programs, while noting radiation and ethical considerations remain challenges.

via The Guardian|

#adelaide-university #microgravity #reproduction

space28 days ago•3 min saved

0.67 g Threshold: A Gravity Benchmark for Sustaining Muscles in Space

A study on mice aboard the ISS exposed them to 0.33 g, 0.67 g, and 1 g for up to 28 days to assess muscle atrophy. It found 0.67 g is the threshold below which muscles deteriorate, while 0.33 g preserved muscle but changed fiber composition; while humans may share a similar threshold (roughly 0.5–0.75 g) based on parabolic-flight data, Moon and Mars gravity (0.17 g and 0.38 g) would likely require artificial gravity or stronger countermeasures for long missions, with further research needed to refine the human threshold and inform NASA's Artemis-era plans.

via Gizmodo|

#artificial-gravity #microgravity #muscle-loss

science1 month ago•2 min saved

Space-Born Jellyfish Hint at Gravity Challenges for Future Humans

NASA tested gravity sensing in space by sending thousands of jellyfish polyps to orbit in the 1990s. After about nine days, tens of thousands of jellyfish developed, but once returned to Earth the space-born jellyfish struggled to swim and exhibited vertigo, suggesting that humans born in space might also face difficulties re-adapting to Earth's gravity.

via BBC Wildlife Magazine|

#gravity #jellyfish #microgravity

science1 month ago•5 min saved

Microbes on a Meteorite in Orbit Point to New Path for Space Mining

Astronauts on the ISS hosted a BioAsteroid experiment where bacteria and a fungus leached metals from crushed meteorite fragments for 19 days. After return to Earth, 18 elements were found to be released, with the fungus producing more carboxylic acids in microgravity to aid dissolution. The microbes stayed active and stable in space, suggesting biology could help future space resource extraction and support life systems beyond Earth.

via The Daily Galaxy|

#biomining #iss #metal-extraction

science1 month ago•5 min saved

ISS Microbes Point Toward Sustainable Asteroid Mining

An ISS BioAsteroid experiment tested bacteria and a fungus on asteroid material under microgravity and Earth gravity. Microbes extracted several metals, including palladium and platinum, sometimes outperforming non-biological leaching, though results varied by metal and organism. Overall, 44 elements were extracted, 18 biologically, suggesting microbes could enable more sustainable space mining, but much optimization remains.

via The Daily Galaxy|

#asteroid-metals #bioleaching #microbes

science1 month ago•18 min saved

Microgravity uncovers space phages that could curb antibiotic resistance

A study comparing phage-bacteria dynamics on the ISS and on Earth shows that the T7 phage infecting E. coli slows in microgravity but can still replicate after a long interval. Space conditions drive distinct mutation patterns in both phage and host, and researchers used microgravity-informed mutations to engineer phage variants that outperform Earth-informed ones against drug-resistant uropathogenic E. coli. The findings suggest extreme environments can reveal new design principles for phage therapy to combat antibiotic resistance and are reported in PLOS Biology.

via Earth.com|

#antibiotic-resistance #bacteriophages #evolution

science1 month ago•5 min saved

Space Reproduction Faces Serious Biological Hurdles

A new paper argues that long-duration spaceflight could impair fertility, gamete quality, and embryonic development due to space radiation and microgravity, with potential epigenetic and heritable risks for offspring; experts call for a formal reproductive health framework and ethical guidelines for space research, even though reproduction in space is not currently advocated.

via Jalopnik|

#ethics #microgravity #radiation

sciencespace2 months ago•2 min saved

Space Reproduction Put on Hold as Experts Warn of Safety Risks

A new report in Reproductive BioMedicine Online warns that reproducing in space is far from safe due to radiation, microgravity, and lunar dust, which may affect fertility, pregnancy, and offspring. It calls for a global ethical framework, better shielding, medical countermeasures, and advanced assisted reproduction tools before any long-duration missions, effectively delaying space births until safeguards are in place.

via The Mirror|

#bioethics #lunar-dust #microgravity

space2 months ago•3 min saved

Crew-12 to Probe How Microgravity Changes the Human Body on ISS

NASA’s SpaceX Crew-12 will conduct long‑duration ISS studies on how the body adapts to microgravity, including the Venous Flow study to assess blood circulation and clot risk, a Manual Piloting exercise simulating Moon landings to test disorientation and control after gravity shifts, and a vitamin B trial for spaceflight‑associated neuro‑ocular syndrome (SANS), with preflight, in‑flight, and postflight measurements to guide future Artemis missions and crew safety.

via NASA (.gov)|

#crew-12 #human-research-program #microgravity