ScienceDaily
Your source for the latest research news
Follow Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Subscribe RSS Feeds Newsletters
New:
  • Old-Growth Trees More Drought Tolerant
  • Early Life Experiences: Long-Lasting Impact ...
  • Nanomaterial Cuts Fat in Specific Parts of Body
  • 3D Printing Metal-Plastic Composite Structures
  • 2,000-Year-Old Shipwreck: Complex Trade
  • Mammoth Problem With Extinction Timeline
  • Landslide Risk Remains Long After a Quake
  • Physicists Observe Wormhole Dynamics
  • New Method of Spinal Cord Tissue Repair
  • How Giant-Faced Owls Snag Voles Hidden in Snow
advertisement
Follow all of ScienceDaily's latest research news and top science headlines!
Science News
from research organizations

1

2

Exploring The Final Frontier: Disease Proposed As Major Barrier To Mars And Beyond

Date:
October 30, 2009
Source:
Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology
Summary:
Scientists argue that human missions to Mars, as well as all other long-term space flights might be compromised by microbial hitchhikers, such as bacteria. That's because long-term space travel packs a one-two punch to astronauts: first it appears to weaken their immune systems; and second, it increases the virulence and growth of microbes.
Share:
FULL STORY

A new report appearing in The Journal of Leukocyte Biology argues that human missions to Mars, as well as all other long-term space flights might be compromised by microbial hitchhikers, such as bacteria. That's because long-term space travel packs a one-two punch to astronauts: first it appears to weaken their immune systems; and second, it increases the virulence and growth of microbes.

advertisement

This combination of factors makes it vital for scientists to find tools that can help people cope with these microscopic hitchhikers before they lead to disease, especially since astronauts will not have the ability to return home to a hospital.

"When people think of space travel, often the vast distances are what come to mind first," said Jean-Pol Frippiat, one of the report's co-authors from Nancy-University in France, "but even after we figure out a way to cover these distances in a reasonable amount of time, we still need to figure out how astronauts are going to overcome disease and sickness."

Frippiat and colleagues based their conclusions on studies showing that immune systems of both people and animals in space flight conditions are significantly weaker than their grounded counterparts. They also reviewed studies that examined the effects of space flight conditions and altered gravity on virulence and growth of common pathogens such as Salmonella, E. coli and Staphylococcus. These studies show that these bacteria reproduce more rapidly in space flight conditions, leading to increased risk of contamination, colonization and serious infection.

"As clearly outlined by the researchers, we are unlikely to remain healthy when leaving earth for prolonged periods," said Luis Montaner, Editor-in-Chief of The Journal of Leukocyte Biology. "Unfortunately, because spacecraft technology is way ahead of our understanding of how to maintain human health, disease-free survival after reaching Mars or establishing a colony on the Moon may be problematic."

make a difference: sponsored opportunity

Story Source:

Materials provided by Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.


Journal Reference:

  1. Gueguinou et al. Could spaceflight-associated immune system weakening preclude the expansion of human presence beyond Earth's orbit? Journal of Leukocyte Biology, 2009; 86 (5): 1027 DOI: 10.1189/jlb.0309167

Cite This Page:

  • MLA
  • APA
  • Chicago
Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology. "Exploring The Final Frontier: Disease Proposed As Major Barrier To Mars And Beyond." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 30 October 2009. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091029141251.htm>.
Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology. (2009, October 30). Exploring The Final Frontier: Disease Proposed As Major Barrier To Mars And Beyond. ScienceDaily. Retrieved December 2, 2022 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091029141251.htm
Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology. "Exploring The Final Frontier: Disease Proposed As Major Barrier To Mars And Beyond." ScienceDaily. www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091029141251.htm (accessed December 2, 2022).

  • RELATED TOPICS
    • Health & Medicine
      • Chronic Illness
      • Immune System
      • Healthy Aging
      • Diseases and Conditions
    • Space & Time
      • Space Station
      • NASA
      • Space Exploration
      • Space Missions
advertisement

  • RELATED TERMS
    • Exploration of Mars
    • Space exploration
    • Mir
    • European Space Agency
    • Space elevator
    • Space suit
    • Phoenix (spacecraft)
    • International Space Station
advertisement

  Print   Email   Share

advertisement

1

2

3

4

5
Most Popular
this week

SPACE & TIME
Astronomers Discover Closest Black Hole to Earth
An Exoplanet Atmosphere as Never Seen Before
Astronomers Observe Intra-Group Light -- The Elusive Glow Between Distant Galaxies
MATTER & ENERGY
New Catalyst Could Be Key for Hydrogen Economy
Artificial Neural Networks Learn Better When They Spend Time Not Learning at All
Wireless Earphones as Inexpensive Hearing Aids
COMPUTERS & MATH
Physicists Observe Wormhole Dynamics Using a Quantum Computer
A Simpler Path to Better Computer Vision
AI Tailors Artificial DNA for Future Drug Development
advertisement

Strange & Offbeat
 

SPACE & TIME
Physicists Observe Wormhole Dynamics Using a Quantum Computer
Rare Sighting of Luminous Jet Spewed by Supermassive Black Hole
Mysteriously Bright Flash Is a Black Hole Jet Pointing Straight Toward Earth, Astronomers Say
MATTER & ENERGY
Novel 3D Printing Method to Fabricate Complex Metal-Plastic Composite Structures
Organizing Nanoparticles Into Pinwheel Shapes Offers New Twist on Engineered Materials
The Entanglement Advantage
COMPUTERS & MATH
New Quantum Computing Feat Is a Modern Twist on a 150-Year-Old Thought Experiment
Sweet New Way to Print Microchip Patterns on Curvy Surfaces
Artificial Neural Networks Learn Better When They Spend Time Not Learning at All
Explore More
from ScienceDaily

RELATED STORIES

International Space Station Experiments Reveal Risks for Future Human Space Flights
Oct. 19, 2022 — A long-term experiment aboard the International Space Station has tested the effect of space radiation on mouse embryonic stem cells. Their findings will contribute to helping scientists better ...
Long Spaceflights Affect Astronaut Brain Volume
Apr. 14, 2020 — Extended periods in space have long been known to cause vision problems in astronauts. Now a new study suggests that the impact of long-duration space travel is more far-reaching, potentially causing ...
How Deep Space Travel Could Affect the Brain
Aug. 5, 2019 — Exposure to chronic, low dose radiation -- the conditions present in deep space -- causes neural and behavioral impairments in mice, researchers report. These results highlight the pressing need to ...
Microbes May Help Astronauts Transform Human Waste Into Food
Jan. 25, 2018 — Human waste may one day be a valuable resource for astronauts on deep-space missions. Now, a research team has shown that it is possible to rapidly break down solid and liquid waste to grow food with ...
advertisement


SD
  • SD
    • Home Page
    • Top Science News
    • Latest News
  • Home
    • Home Page
    • Top Science News
    • Latest News
  • Health
    • View all the latest top news in the health sciences,
      or browse the topics below:
      Health & Medicine
      • Allergy
      • Alternative Medicine
      • Birth Control
      • Cancer
      • Diabetes
      • Diseases
      • Heart Disease
      • HIV and AIDS
      • Obesity
      • Stem Cells
      • ... more topics
      Mind & Brain
      • ADD and ADHD
      • Addiction
      • Alzheimer's
      • Autism
      • Depression
      • Headaches
      • Intelligence
      • Psychology
      • Relationships
      • Schizophrenia
      • ... more topics
      Living Well
      • Parenting
      • Pregnancy
      • Sexual Health
      • Skin Care
      • Men's Health
      • Women's Health
      • Nutrition
      • Diet and Weight Loss
      • Fitness
      • Healthy Aging
      • ... more topics
  • Tech
    • View all the latest top news in the physical sciences & technology,
      or browse the topics below:
      Matter & Energy
      • Aviation
      • Chemistry
      • Electronics
      • Fossil Fuels
      • Nanotechnology
      • Physics
      • Quantum Physics
      • Solar Energy
      • Technology
      • Wind Energy
      • ... more topics
      Space & Time
      • Astronomy
      • Black Holes
      • Dark Matter
      • Extrasolar Planets
      • Mars
      • Moon
      • Solar System
      • Space Telescopes
      • Stars
      • Sun
      • ... more topics
      Computers & Math
      • Artificial Intelligence
      • Communications
      • Computer Science
      • Hacking
      • Mathematics
      • Quantum Computers
      • Robotics
      • Software
      • Video Games
      • Virtual Reality
      • ... more topics
  • Enviro
    • View all the latest top news in the environmental sciences,
      or browse the topics below:
      Plants & Animals
      • Agriculture and Food
      • Animals
      • Biology
      • Biotechnology
      • Endangered Animals
      • Extinction
      • Genetically Modified
      • Microbes and More
      • New Species
      • Zoology
      • ... more topics
      Earth & Climate
      • Climate
      • Earthquakes
      • Environment
      • Geography
      • Geology
      • Global Warming
      • Hurricanes
      • Ozone Holes
      • Pollution
      • Weather
      • ... more topics
      Fossils & Ruins
      • Ancient Civilizations
      • Anthropology
      • Archaeology
      • Dinosaurs
      • Early Humans
      • Early Mammals
      • Evolution
      • Lost Treasures
      • Origin of Life
      • Paleontology
      • ... more topics
  • Society
    • View all the latest top news in the social sciences & education,
      or browse the topics below:
      Science & Society
      • Arts & Culture
      • Consumerism
      • Economics
      • Political Science
      • Privacy Issues
      • Public Health
      • Racial Disparity
      • Religion
      • Sports
      • World Development
      • ... more topics
      Business & Industry
      • Biotechnology & Bioengineering
      • Computers & Internet
      • Energy & Resources
      • Engineering
      • Medical Technology
      • Pharmaceuticals
      • Transportation
      • ... more topics
      Education & Learning
      • Animal Learning & Intelligence
      • Creativity
      • Educational Psychology
      • Educational Technology
      • Infant & Preschool Learning
      • Learning Disorders
      • STEM Education
      • ... more topics
  • Quirky
    • Top News
    • Human Quirks
    • Odd Creatures
    • Bizarre Things
    • Weird World
Free Subscriptions

Get the latest science news with ScienceDaily's free email newsletters, updated daily and weekly. Or view hourly updated newsfeeds in your RSS reader:

  • Email Newsletters
  • RSS Feeds
Follow Us

Keep up to date with the latest news from ScienceDaily via social networks:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
Have Feedback?

Tell us what you think of ScienceDaily -- we welcome both positive and negative comments. Have any problems using the site? Questions?

  • Leave Feedback
  • Contact Us
About This Site  |  Staff  |  Reviews  |  Contribute  |  Advertise  |  Privacy Policy  |  Editorial Policy  |  Terms of Use
Copyright 1995-2022 ScienceDaily or by other parties, where indicated. All rights controlled by their respective owners.
Content on this website is for information only. It is not intended to provide medical or other professional advice.
Views expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of ScienceDaily, its staff, its contributors, or its partners.
Financial support for ScienceDaily comes from advertisements and referral programs, where indicated.
— CCPA: Do Not Sell My Information — GDPR: Privacy Settings —