When Astronauts Enter Space, a “Dark Genome” Activates in Their DNA

The researchers have found that human stem cells are constantly exposed to stress in the minimum gravity of space – stimulating the old hidden sections of DNA called “dark genome”.

In a study published in the magazine The cell stem cell Last week, a team of researchers led by the director of the Sanford Institute of Catriona Jamieson used a mobile phone size on the International Space Station to see how stem cells behave in space for the first time.

They found that the stem cells donated by the bone marrow cells from patients with hip replacement surgery ranging from the space station from the sampling station on Earth, which may deteriorate the ability of astronauts to renew in orbit.

It is a realistic discovery, which enhances a growing set of evidence that space radiation and minor appeal can have a set of associated health risks – and another risk factor in our plans to spend more time travel deeper into space.

Previous research has also found that spending time in microscopic gravity can lead to bone loss, silent cognitive abilities, and a deterioration of vision.

“In space, the stem cells decrease in the function,” Jameson said CNN. “In fact, they reduce their ability to renew themselves or renew, and this is important to be able to know the tasks of space in the long run.”

Researchers warn that the results may have important effects on the health of astronauts.

Jameson told CNN: “It is important to study the health of stem cells and knowledge that is likely to be able to bear the cruelty of space – it is tired to rise, it is expected that you will come down, and it is hard to be there,” Jameson told CNN.

What is accelerating this decline is the “dark genome” inherent in our DNA, which was left by “Ritrovat Viruses” that invaded our genomics thousands and thousands of years ago and represented 55 percent of our DNA, “Jamson said, Jamson said. CNN.

“They send stem cells to the cycle of death,” she added. “The cells feel exaggerated. They have a crisis. They are very quickly.”

Fortunately, after the researchers identified the case, Jameson and her colleagues are already working on the clinical trials of medicines that can suppress this aging process.

according to CNNAn upcoming study also found that stem cells may be able to recover by just returning to Earth, allowing astronauts to retract the harmful effects of minor gravity.

Interestingly, these “counter -measures” can “accelerate the pace” of cancer research, Jameson told the broadcaster – this means that protecting the health of astronauts can lead to positive results for patients on Earth, too.

More about the health of the astronaut: Something disrupted with the brains of astronauts