Traveling into space can be very exciting: it is a unique opportunity to see Earth from a whole new perspective, to experience what it is like to live in a different environment than what we are used to, and also an opportunity to participate in scientific research and contribute to the exploration of the space. However, it also involves effects on the human body that, in some cases, can be downright horrifying.
The latter is what explores a research recently published in the journal Cells, which warns that the field of human space travel is in the midst of a dramatic revolution. Since the next missions seek to carry out space travel of greater distances and durations than any of those that took place before, a new challenge has to do with human health in spacewhose study at the moment is quite limited.
This is an analysis made by medical experts from Baylor University, in the United States, which collects information from previous studies and unpublished data from NASA related to different organ systems such as the cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, immune system and more.
One of the biggest challenges of long-term travel, the researchers say, is perhaps exposure to alien dustwhich can cause respiratory, cardiopulmonary, eye and/or skin damage.
Another cause for concern is the radiationwhich can cause DNA mutations and put astronauts in increased risk of developing cancer. During long-duration spaceflight, they argue, prolonged radiation exposure may cause gastrointestinal cancer, while gamma radiation exposure is a known risk factor for colorectal cancer. Even during short duration space flights, exposure to space radiation can cause cancer through DNA changes.
On the other hand, exposure to microgravity can not only have damaging effects on the immune systembut can even activate latent virus such as the Epstein-Barr virus that causes infectious mononucleosis, the Varicella-Zoster virus that causes shingles and chickenpox, and the Cytomegalovirus also related to chickenpox and mononucleosis. Additionally, exposure to microgravity could also lead to the development of autoantibodies, predisposing astronauts to various autoimmune diseases. In line with this, various studies have shown that bacteria found in the space environment appear to be more resistant to antibiotics and generally more harmful compared to bacteria found on Earth. “This adds to the threat of new species of bacteria that we have not yet discovered,” they add.
As if that wasn’t enough, microgravity can also cause thrombosis, hemolytic anemia, joint injuries and unloading of the cardiovascular system, resulting in cardiac atrophya serious and life-threatening condition in which the heart muscle becomes smaller and weaker.
“Space exploration carries great risk from both known factors (e.g., ionizing radiation, microgravity) and unknown factors. Therefore, there is an urgent need for further research to determine the true extent of current space travel limitations. in the long term and to develop potential applications and countermeasures for deep space exploration and colonization. Researchers must take advantage of emerging technology, such as AI, to advance our diagnostic capabilities and provide high-quality healthcare in the space environment.” , the authors conclude.
