Space could be toxic to microbial life

Despite its interest in migrating into space, it is likely to be toxic to microorganisms in our bodies.

With the advent of air tourism, it is likely that humans will witness our expansion as a species beyond Earth. However, projects to inhabit the Moon or Mars carry concerns: Could humans resist altering life in space if it is toxic to microbial life?

It is crucial for experts to understand how long-term exposure to space could affect health. This includes aspects such as microgravity, radiation and the reactions of our microorganisms in space.

An international team of scientists investigated this last aspect, about which there is still not much information.

Microorganisms and space

human microbiome, which consists of bacteria, fungi and viruses, is essential for well-being, influencing the reaction of the organism to its environment. IN studies recently investigated how weightlessness and cosmic rays, including cosmic rays, affect the microbiota of astronauts.

These beams, generated from elements heavier than hydrogen or helium, are known as HZE ions, which are potentially dangerous.

While Earth’s protective magnetosphere prevents the particles from reaching the surface, astronauts are regularly exposed to them. Although it is possible to develop resistance to radiation, this effect may vary between individuals.

On the other hand, Antibiotic resistance poses another deadly risk for astronautswho risk infection during long-duration missions. Space travel and prolonged exposure to microgravity can weaken the immune system and reduce its natural resistance to microbes.

Because of microbial adaptation

In addition to advocating for a better understanding of how space radiation affects microorganisms, the research suggests uses International Space Station as a site for studying the interaction between the human microbiome and the space environment.

Radiation exposure inside the space station could not only create resistance to the high levels of DNA damage caused by HZE, but also to other factors that threaten bacterial activity, such as antibiotics.

The adaptation of microorganisms to space presents significant challenges that highlight the need to identify potential risks and develop mitigation strategies. This includes selecting astronauts with a high adaptive response to radiation for long-duration space missions.

Despite the technical and logistical challenges, understanding how space exploration affects our microbiome is critical to ensuring the health and safety of space explorers in the future.

He wrote this text Ana Paola Martínez, Mexican journalist passionate about social issues. She works as an editor at National Geographic en Español.

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