Station Science Top News: March 17, 2022
Researchers behind the Microbial Observatory-1 study identified multiple strains of a new species of yeast belonging to the Naganishia genus aboard the International Space Station. This discovery allows researchers to better understand how new microbial species emerge, develop, and impact human health.
Researchers returned these new yeast varieties to Earth to study their characteristics outside of the space station. When this species of cells was cultured on Earth in simulated microgravity conditions, microscopy analyses showed that they produced giant cells with abnormal structures. The new cells revealed a thick cell wall, bud scars (which form during cell division), and genes involved in cell structure and radiation resistance — likely in response to microgravity-related stressors. This process helped scientists learn more about this newly formed yeast variety and how microgravity can prompt microbes to adapt.
Documentation during Microbial Observatory-1 sample collection by the Expedition 43 crew. Credits: NASA
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The Seedling Growth-1 and -2 experiments studied the pathways involved in tropism, the mechanisms of growth and development in plants based on stimuli from light and gravity. When compared to ground controls, seedlings grown aboard station revealed a new gene that is involved in the tropism response. This helps scientists understand how the pathways that allow for tropism can be manipulated to grow healthy food-producing plants on deep space missions.
Plant Signaling was a collaboration between NASA and ESA (European Space Agency). The study focused on five genes in Arabidopsis thaliana, a small flowering plant, that have the greatest impact on tropism pathways. Understanding mechanisms of plant development can also support improved agricultural production and lead to higher crop yields on Earth.
NASA Astronaut Tom Marshburn, in collaboration with ESA, studies the effects of microgravity on the growth of plants aboard the International Space Station. Credits: NASA
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NASA astronaut Mark Vande Hei is expected to return to Earth on March 30, 2022, after spending 355 days aboard station contributing to many human research experiments. Vande Hei’s contributions expand NASA’s knowledge about how the human body adapts to long-term spaceflight as the agency plans for future missions to the Moon and Mars.
While breaking the record for the longest single spaceflight by a NASA astronaut, Vande Hei contributed to many studies supported by NASA’s Human Research Program. He provided biological samples for an investigation that collects a core set of measurements, called Spaceflight Standard Measures. The investigation seeks to characterize “normal” changes in the human body during spaceflight. Vande Hei also participated in the first formal investigation into how eating repetitive meals in spaceflight changes the appeal of certain foods over time. Results will help researchers improve the design of current and future space food systems.
After he lands, Vande Hei will provide feedback to researchers investigating potential injuries such as bruises incurred by astronauts from the force of landing. This data will help scientists better understand whether long-term human spaceflight makes crew members more susceptible to such injuries and design protective measures in future spacecraft.
Aboard the International Space Station, NASA astronaut Mark Vande Hei squeezes in time to unwind with a book. Vande Hei made it into record books on March 15, 2022, breaking the record for the most consecutive days in space by an American explorer. Credits: NASA/ESA/T. Pesquet