New preliminary results from NASA ’s Twin Study suggest that going to blank space increases DNA methylation , a process responsible for turn on and off factor . These finding not only allow a glance into this cellular appendage , but also tells scientists how the human dead body might change once it gets into outer space .
“ Some of the most exciting things that we ’ve get word from looking at factor grammatical construction in space is that we really see an blowup , like pyrotechnic taking off , as soon as the human body gets into blank , ” Twins Study Principal Investigator Dr Chris Mason of Weill Cornell Medicine say in astatement . “ With this subject area , we ’ve seen thousands and thou of genes change how they are turned on and turn off . This happens as shortly as an astronaut become into space , and some of the activity persist temporarily upon return to Earth . ”
The unequaled experiment was possible thanks to Mark and Scott Kelly , who are Gemini and were both NASA astronauts . Scott Kelly pass more than 11 months in space ( between 2015 and 2016 ) , and generate that he had a large control sample in his brother Mark , NASA jumped on this groundbreaking research effort .
Thefull studyis yet to be publish , but some of the finding are already available . In one of thesegenetic studies , researchers discovered that Scott Kelly ’s telomeres grew longer than Mark ’s . This was the opposite of what was require .
“ This study represents one of the most comprehensive views of human biota , ” Mason added . “ It really determine the bedrock for understanding molecular risk for space travel as well as way to potentially protect and fix those genetical change . ”
The study looked at four primary aspects of human biological science : It inquire physiology and how microgravity affects different organ , like the eye and brain . It also count into change in sensing and reasoning , which make up the core of behavioral health , and considered the human microbiome and how infinite flights might affect the bacteria living in our guts . Finally , it looked at any change in genetics between Scott and Mark .
The Twin Study is part of NASA ’s Human Research Program , which depend into the respectable technology to insure that human spacefaring is as safe as potential .
