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HUMAN BIOLOGY SPACE RESEARCH
Nasa scientists grew corn seeds in space and found something strange: How microgravity confused roots & shoots that normally know exactly which way to growNasa scientists grew corn seeds in space: NASA conducted an intriguing experiment on corn seeds grown in the absence of gravity’s guiding f...
In 2007, ESA sent 3,000 tardigrades into low Earth orbit; after 10 days of vacuum and UV-A/UV-B exposure, 68% revived upon rehydrationKnown for their resilience, tardigrades have astonishingly withstood the harsh conditions of outer space. Their unique protein showcases an...
In 2010, NASA launched a 12-pound, loaf-of-bread-sized satellite with two Bacillus populations; radiation exposure reached about 15 times that of the ISS orbitNASA's O/OREOS mission embarked on an exciting journey to observe how bacteria withstand the rigors of space radiation. The compact satelli...
In 1998, NASA sent oyster toadfish into space on Space Shuttle Columbia; over 16 days in orbit, researchers studied how their balance systems adapted to microgravityIn 1998, saltwater toadfish participated in the Columbia's Neurolab mission, offering insights into the effects of microgravity on the nerv...
In 1998, NASA flew crickets on Neurolab to study how spaceflight affects developing nervous systems; across the 16-day mission, they joined about 2,000 animals in spaceDuring the Neurolab mission, the space shuttle Columbia hosted 2,000 animals, crickets being one of them, to examine spaceflight's impacts ...
In 1967, Biosatellite II irradiated parasitic wasps for 2 days in orbit; females later laid as many eggs as controls, and hatchability remained excellentA 1967 NASA mission sent parasitic wasps into orbit around Earth. These wasps showed surprising resistance to radiation damage while in spa...
Japanese researchers in 2009 placed five men individually inside a dark room and captured a faint glow from their bodies, 1,000 times too weak for human eyes to see; but strangely, the invisible light wasn't constant: it grew stronger through the day and peaked around 4 p.m.Japanese researchers discovered the human body emits ultraweak light. This faint glow is invisible to the naked human eye. The emission int...
In 2003, researchers found freshwater snails had mated in space; their gravity-sensing statoconia were 50% larger by volume than matched ground controlsExperiments conducted aboard the Space Shuttle demonstrated that pond snails bred in microgravity possessed larger gravity-sensing structur...
In 1960, NASA launched rhesus monkey Miss Sam to test Mercury's escape system, and she reached 1,800 mph and 9 miles, then returned in overall good conditionMiss Sam, a rhesus monkey, played a pivotal role in NASA's launch escape system testing, demonstrating the system's ability to safely eject...
Psychology says people who recognize friends by their footsteps may have highly tuned social memoryRecognizing a friend by the sound of their footsteps is a small example of a broader psychological ability: the brain can build detailed re...
In 2026, scientists tracked 4,581 animals across 37 species; more than 65% changed their behaviour simply when humans were nearbyResearchers tracking 4,581 animals across 37 species in the US found that more than 65% changed how they used space when humans were nearby...
COVID lockdowns accidentally created an experiment scientists could never have deliberately run: What happens when the roads and buildings stay, but the people disappear?The COVID-19 lockdowns accidentally created a rare real-world experiment for scientists, as human activity suddenly dropped while roads, bu...
Your 'Gut' may play a bigger role in Alzheimer’s disease than scientists once thought - New research reveals a potential linkNew research links gut bacteria molecule ImP to Alzheimer's disease changes. Higher ImP levels correlate with poorer cognitive scores and b...
In 1962, NASA packed 22,900 gallons of water into a Saturn I rocket and deliberately released it 65 miles above Earth to see how water behaved in the upper atmosphereNASA scientists have long explored recycling resources for extended space travel. Plants and microorganisms could help regenerate vital sup...
In 1997, NASA sent 64 desert beetles to Russia’s Mir space station with tiny wheels tracking their every movement; their movements helped scientists understand how light regulates biological clocks in microgravityNASA sent black desert beetles into space aboard the Space Shuttle Atlantis in 1997. These insects lived on the Russian Mir space station f...
In 1958, the US launched Gordo the squirrel monkey 300 miles above Earth; he endured 8.3 minutes of weightlessness and 40 g during re-entry, but died after his capsule sank at seaIn the historic space flight of 1958, Gordo, a courageous squirrel monkey, faced intense conditions that ultimately validated human surviva...
Plants react to damage, but can they feel pain like humans? Here's what science saysPlants exhibit dynamic responses to environmental stress and damage. However, they lack brains and nervous systems to feel pain. Internal e...
In 2013, a special medical research facility was started in Cologne, Germany to understand how humans adapt to extreme environments: How :envihab helps prepare astronauts?In 2013, a special medical research facility was started in Cologne, Germany to understand how humans adapt to extreme environments. The fa...
In 1968, two Russian steppe tortoises travelled around the Moon before humans did. They survived a punishing 20G force while returning to EarthIn a remarkable journey, two Russian steppe tortoises embarked on a mission aboard Zond 5, orbiting the Moon in September 1968. This pionee...
Why NASA's latest moon discovery creates a major dilemma for Artemis astronautsMicrobes from Earth can survive on the Moon's surface for days. New research shows shadowed lunar craters offer protective microclimates fo...