Station Science Top News: July 20, 2023

by ISS Program Science Office | 2023-07-24

Researchers found greater expansion of brain ventricles on longer spaceflight missions and greater postflight expansion associated with longer intervals between missions. These findings suggest that mission intervals of less than three years may not allow for sufficient recovery. A better understanding of changes in neural anatomy could inform protocols to help ensure the safety of crew members on future missions.

The NeuroMapping investigation collected data on brain structure and function, motor control, and multi-tasking abilities as well as recovery time postflight. This study attributes ventricle enlargement to increased cerebrospinal fluid in the brain and suggests that reduced ventricle expansion in experienced crew members may reflect incomplete recovery between flights. Researchers also determined that these changes were induced by spaceflight and not aging.

An astronaut floats aboard the International Space Station. — *Expedition 43 Commander Terry Virts is photographed during NeuroMapping (NMAP) Neurocognitive Test Operations in the Columbus module. Credit: NASA/Terry Virts.*

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A recent paper validates electroencephalography (EEG) as a method to detect changes in cerebral activity during spaceflight. Researchers suggest that this tool could be used to monitor cerebral function during future exploration missions.

ESA’s Neurospat assessed responses of the sensorimotor system in microgravity. Results could help identify countermeasures to the disorientation sometimes experienced by astronauts, especially during key activities such as spacewalks and docking and undocking of spacecraft. The changes in brain activity identified by this research persisted after return to Earth.

An astronaut aboard the International Space Station uses an EEG to collect data about his brain activity. — View of European Space Agency astronaut Andre Kuipers, Expedition 30 flight engineer, during his first orbital NEUROSPAT session. Andre is wearing an Electroencephalogram (EEG) electrode cap and optimizing channel impedance of the electrodes before starting measurements. Credit: NASA

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Researchers identified the first bacterium from the genus Cohnella found on the station. This bacterium has the potential to be used to promote plant growth in space.

Microbial Tracking-2 continues ongoing monitoring of the types of microbes present on the space station. The new species, which researchers propose naming C. hashimotonis, clearly can survive in the conditions of space and is closely related to many rhizosphere bacteria. The space station is the only current model for studying the evolution of a space habitat microbiome over time, which is important for understanding potential effects on astronaut health and identifying possible uses of these microbes.

A blue instrument collects air samples aboard the International Space Station. — Microbial Tracking-2 in the Node 2 module at air sampling location number 2 monitoring microbes present to assess the health environment on the International Space Station and understand the effects of the spaceflight environment on viral and microbial pathogen dynamics. Credit: NASA/Jack Fischer