scholarly journals Space Radiation Biology for “Living in Space”

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-25 ◽  
Author(s):  
Satoshi Furukawa ◽  
Aiko Nagamatsu ◽  
Mitsuru Nenoi ◽  
Akira Fujimori ◽  
Shizuko Kakinuma ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Cycle ◽  
Biological Effects ◽  
Space Station ◽  
Space Radiation ◽  
Living Environment ◽  
Radiation Environment ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Space Travel ◽  
Novel Technologies

Space travel has advanced significantly over the last six decades with astronauts spending up to 6 months at the International Space Station. Nonetheless, the living environment while in outer space is extremely challenging to astronauts. In particular, exposure to space radiation represents a serious potential long-term threat to the health of astronauts because the amount of radiation exposure accumulates during their time in space. Therefore, health risks associated with exposure to space radiation are an important topic in space travel, and characterizing space radiation in detail is essential for improving the safety of space missions. In the first part of this review, we provide an overview of the space radiation environment and briefly present current and future endeavors that monitor different space radiation environments. We then present research evaluating adverse biological effects caused by exposure to various space radiation environments and how these can be reduced. We especially consider the deleterious effects on cellular DNA and how cells activate DNA repair mechanisms. The latest technologies being developed, e.g., a fluorescent ubiquitination-based cell cycle indicator, to measure real-time cell cycle progression and DNA damage caused by exposure to ultraviolet radiation are presented. Progress in examining the combined effects of microgravity and radiation to animals and plants are summarized, and our current understanding of the relationship between psychological stress and radiation is presented. Finally, we provide details about protective agents and the study of organisms that are highly resistant to radiation and how their biological mechanisms may aid developing novel technologies that alleviate biological damage caused by radiation. Future research that furthers our understanding of the effects of space radiation on human health will facilitate risk-mitigating strategies to enable long-term space and planetary exploration.

Exercise-Related Effects on Executive Functions During a Simulated Underwater Extravehicular Activity

2021 ◽  
pp. 001872082110328
Author(s):  
Fabian Möller ◽  
Uwe Hoffmann ◽  
Tobias Vogt ◽  
Fabian Steinberg
Keyword(s):  
Executive Functions ◽  
Cognitive Performance ◽  
Space Station ◽  
Cognitive Testing ◽  
Upper Body ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Space Travel ◽  
Neutral Buoyancy ◽  
Upper Body Exercise

Objective Investigation of cognitive performance during extravehicular activities (EVAs) in a space-analog setting. Background EVAs performed by humans in microgravity on the International Space Station (ISS) call for high cognitive performance during upper-body workload. Higher cardiovascular demands interact with cognitive performance, but no knowledge exists about EVA’s special requirements. This study simulates EVA-training underwater to investigate its effects on the executive functions inhibition and switching. Method In a counterbalanced crossover design, 16 divers (age: 28 ± 2.4 years; eight females) performed two conditions (i.e., EVA vs. Inactivity [INACT]) in 3–5 m submersion (diving gear; not in a space-suit). EVA included 30 min of moderate-, followed by 30 min of high-intensity upper-body exercise intervals, paired with EVA-specific cognitive-motor tasks. INACT included no exercise in submersion and neutral buoyancy. Both conditions included cognitive testing at pre, mid (after the first 30 min), and post (after the second 30 min) on a tablet computer. Reaction times (RTs) and response accuracy (ACC) were calculated for both tasks. Results ACC was significantly lower during EVA compared with INACT for inhibition (post: p = .009) and switching (mid: p = .019) at post ( p = .005). RTs for inhibition were significantly faster during EVA ( p = .022; ηp 2 = 0.320). Conclusion Specific physical exercise, intensity, duration, and tasks performed during the EVA might differently affect the exercise-cognition interaction and need further investigation, especially for future long-term space travel. Application Future research might serve to improve mission success and safety for EVAs and long-term space travel.

The tumor suppressor LZTS2 functions through the cellular samurai Katanin

2009 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yoshiro Maru
Keyword(s):  
Cell Cycle ◽  
Tumor Suppressor ◽  
Leucine Zipper ◽  
Biological Effects ◽  
Regulatory Subunit ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Central Spindle ◽  
Microtubule Severing ◽  
Putative Tumor Suppressor ◽  
Potential Area

AbstractThe leucine zipper putative tumor suppressor (LZTS) 2 is frequently and specifically found in LOH (loss of heterozygosity) analysis in cancer. Different from other LZTS family members, it regulates the microtubule-severing protein Katanin by binding the p80 regulatory subunit of Katanin and inhibiting its interaction with microtubules. At specific phases of the cell cycle, LZTS2 suppresses cell migration and establishes proper central spindle assembly for cytokinesis. Importantly, those biological effects are mediated by the inhibitory activity of LZTS2 on Katanin. LZTS2 binding to Katanin also plays a role in Katanin transport to the midbody to control proper abscission. Therapeutic applications of the interaction between LZTS2 and Katanin in tumor cells are a potential area for future research.

scholarly journals Recent progress on the Chinese space programme and radiation research

2020 ◽  
Vol 49 (1_suppl) ◽  
pp. 213-216
Author(s):  
G. Zhou ◽  
W. Hu ◽  
H. Pei ◽  
H. Chen ◽  
T.K. Hei
Keyword(s):  
Space Exploration ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Space Station ◽  
Space Radiation ◽  
Alpha Particles ◽  
Assessment System ◽  
Substantial Progress ◽  
Potential Strategy ◽  
Radiation Research

Manned space exploration was initiated in China in 1992, and substantial progress has been made. The next step is to build the Chinese Space Station (CSS), which is planned to be launched in 2020. The CSS will provide an on-orbit laboratory for experimental studies including space radiation research. The health risk of space radiation, especially carcinogenesis, is a major concern for long-term space exploration. Establishing a risk assessment system suitable for Chinese astronauts and developing effective countermeasures are major tasks for Chinese space radiobiologists. The Institute of Space Life Sciences, Soochow University has focused on these topics for years. We established cancer models with low-dose-rate exposure of alpha particles, and elucidated a microRNA-TGFβ network regulating bystander effects and a lncRNA-cytoskeleton network regulating genomic instability induced by ionising radiation. We also confirmed the radioresistance of quiescent cells, which inspires a potential strategy to improve individual radioresistance during long-term space travel. However, we believe that a multi-disciplinary strategy must be developed to protect astronauts from highly energised space radiation.

scholarly journals LOH Analyses for Biological Effects of Space Radiation: Human Cell Culture in "Kibo" of International Space Station

2009 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 11-16 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fumio Yatagai ◽  
Akihisa Takahashi ◽  
Masamitsu Honma ◽  
Hiromi Suzuki ◽  
Katsunori Omori ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Culture ◽  
International Space Station ◽  
Human Cell ◽  
Biological Effects ◽  
Space Station ◽  
Space Radiation ◽  
Human Cell Culture ◽  
International Space

scholarly journals Spaceflight Induced Disorders: Potential Nutritional Countermeasures

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fabio Costa ◽  
Francesco Saverio Ambesi-Impiombato ◽  
Tommaso Beccari ◽  
Carmela Conte ◽  
Samuela Cataldi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Human Body ◽  
Space Station ◽  
Space Environment ◽  
Nutritional Deficiencies ◽  
Space Travel ◽  
Basic Training ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Selection Strategies ◽  
Almost All

Space travel is an extreme experience even for the astronaut who has received extensive basic training in various fields, from aeronautics to engineering, from medicine to physics and biology. Microgravity puts a strain on members of space crews, both physically and mentally: short-term or long-term travel in orbit the International Space Station may have serious repercussions on the human body, which may undergo physiological changes affecting almost all organs and systems, particularly at the muscular, cardiovascular and bone compartments. This review aims to highlight recent studies describing damages of human body induced by the space environment for microgravity, and radiation. All novel conditions, to ally unknown to the Darwinian selection strategies on Earth, to which we should add the psychological stress that astronauts suffer due to the inevitable forced cohabitation in claustrophobic environments, the deprivation from their affections and the need to adapt to a new lifestyle with molecular changes due to the confinement. In this context, significant nutritional deficiencies with consequent molecular mechanism changes in the cells that induce to the onset of physiological and cognitive impairment have been considered.

scholarly journals Practicalities of dose management for Japanese astronauts staying at the International Space Station

2020 ◽  
Vol 49 (1_suppl) ◽  
pp. 194-199
Author(s):  
T. Komiyama
Keyword(s):  
Radiation Exposure ◽  
International Space Station ◽  
Space Station ◽  
Space Radiation ◽  
Radiation Environment ◽  
International Space ◽  
Dose Limits ◽  
Dose Management ◽  
Effects Of Radiation ◽  
Tissue Reactions

Japanese astronauts started staying at the International Space Station (ISS) in 2009, with each stay lasting for approximately 6 months. In total, seven Japanese astronauts have stayed at the ISS eight times. As there is no law for protection against space radiation exposure of astronauts in Japan, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) created its own rules and has applied them successfully to radiation exposure management for Japanese ISS astronauts, collaborating with ISS international partners. Regarding dose management, JAXA has implemented several dose limits to protect against both the stochastic effects of radiation and dose-dependent tissue reactions. The scope of the rules includes limiting exposure during spaceflight, exposure during several types of training, and exposure from astronaut-specific medical examinations. We, therefore, are tasked with calculating the dose from all exposure types applied to the dose limits annually for each astronaut. Whenever a Japanese astronaut is at the ISS, we monitor readings of an instrument in real-time to confirm that the exposed dose is below the set limits, as the space radiation environment can fluctuate in relation to solar activity.

scholarly journals Potential Hazard of Lanthanides and Lanthanide-Based Nanoparticles to Aquatic Ecosystems: Data Gaps, Challenges and Future Research Needs Derived from Bibliometric Analysis

Nanomaterials ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 328 ◽  
Author(s):  
Irina Blinova ◽  
Marge Muna ◽  
Margit Heinlaan ◽  
Aljona Lukjanova ◽  
Anne Kahru
Keyword(s):  
Emerging Contaminants ◽  
Biological Effects ◽  
Green Energy ◽  
Future Research ◽  
High Tech ◽  
Aquatic Biota ◽  
Potential Hazard ◽  
Research Needs ◽  
Data Gaps

Lanthanides (Ln), applied mostly in the form of nanoparticles (NPs), are critical to emerging high-tech and green energy industries due to their distinct physicochemical properties. The resulting anthropogenic input of Ln and Ln-based NPs into aquatic environment might create a problem of emerging contaminants. Thus, information on the biological effects of Ln and Ln-based NPs is urgently needed for relevant environmental risk assessment. In this mini-review, we made a bibliometric survey on existing scientific literature with the main aim of identifying the most important data gaps on Ln and Ln-based nanoparticles’ toxicity to aquatic biota. We report that the most studied Ln for ecotoxicity are Ce and Ln, whereas practically no information was found for Nd, Tb, Tm, and Yb. We also discuss the challenges of the research on Ln ecotoxicity, such as relevance of nominal versus bioavailable concentrations of Ln, and point out future research needs (long-term toxicity to aquatic biota and toxic effects of Ln to bottom-dwelling species).

LETTUCE SEEDLING RESPONSE TO DETERGENTS RECOMMENDED FOR SPACE TRAVEL

HortScience ◽  
1992 ◽  
Vol 27 (6) ◽  
pp. 656a-656 ◽  
Author(s):  
Catherine Greene ◽  
David Bubenheim ◽  
Wade Berry
Keyword(s):  
Life Support ◽  
Pure Water ◽  
Primary Root ◽  
Space Station ◽  
Threshold Concentration ◽  
Space Environment ◽  
Space Travel ◽  
Lettuce Seedling ◽  
Lettuce Seeds

Water contributes approximately 90% of the life support consumables in a closed space environment, therefore, regeneration of pure water from waste streams is important for long term space travel. Controlled Ecological Life Support Systems (CELSS) will rely on plants to produce food, oxygen, consume CO2 and purify water. Igepon TC42, Amide coco N-methyl N-2-sulphoethyl sodium salt, is the main ingredient of the soap recommended for showering and hand washing aboard Space Station Freedom. To determine the soap concentration which causes plant toxicity, lettuce seeds were germinated in 0.1 strength modified Hoagland's nutrient solution and a series of increasing concentrations of Igepon. After 5 days, the seedlings were examined and primary root length measured. The dose response curve indicates an Igepon acute toxicity threshold of 0.2 g l-1 Below the threshold concentration the curve is similar to that of the control, but drops linearly upon reaching the toxic threshold. Seedlings exposed to concentrations of soap greater than the toxic threshold exhibited root damage characterized by the browning of cells in bands above the root cap resulting in reduced growth rates. The damaged cells enlarged becoming round in appearance prior to departing from adjacent cells. The underlying cells appeared clear and uniform making up a thinner, more fragile root mass when compared to undamaged root regions.

scholarly journals Evaluating the long-term effect of space radiation on the reproductive normality of mammalian sperm preserved on the International Space Station

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (24) ◽  
pp. eabg5554
Author(s):  
Sayaka Wakayama ◽  
Daiyu Ito ◽  
Yuko Kamada ◽  
Toru Shimazu ◽  
Tomomi Suzuki ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
International Space Station ◽  
Space Station ◽  
Reproductive Potential ◽  
Space Radiation ◽  
Biological Research ◽  
Deep Space ◽  
Long Term Effects ◽  
International Space ◽  
Freeze Dried

Space radiation may cause DNA damage to cells and concern for the inheritance of mutations in offspring after deep space exploration. However, there is no way to study the long-term effects of space radiation using biological materials. Here, we developed a method to evaluate the biological effect of space radiation and examined the reproductive potential of mouse freeze-dried spermatozoa stored on the International Space Station (ISS) for the longest period in biological research. The space radiation did not affect sperm DNA or fertility after preservation on ISS, and many genetically normal offspring were obtained without reducing the success rate compared to the ground-preserved control. The results of ground x-ray experiments showed that sperm can be stored for more than 200 years in space. These results suggest that the effect of deep space radiation on mammalian reproduction can be evaluated using spermatozoa, even without being monitored by astronauts in Gateway.

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