NASA: Space Travel Genetic Changes are Temporary

For years, NASA has been analyzing the health effects of space travel by comparing the twin astronauts Mark and Scott Kelly. From 2015 to 2016, Scott spent 340 days in orbit while Mark remained on Earth, providing scientists with rare data on how human activity outside the planet affects his body. A study published in the journal Science shows that Scott experienced a series of genetic changes while he was in space. And surprisingly, most of them returned to the old state when he returned to Earth. It is reported by MIT Technology Review, providing researchers with valuable information, as space agencies are preparing for longer space missions.

Back and forth

Over the past few years, NASA scientists have gradually released in the open press some information about the results of the study of twins. The most surprising thing was that at the genetic level in Scott, the active protection of the chromosome against aging was activated at the genetic level.

This finding may lead to future research on how space travel can affect human longevity. Within six months after the cattle returned to Earth, the elongated telomeres of the Scott chromosomes returned to normal, while some of the newer, shorter than usual, telomeres that were formed after his return were preserved.
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Ready to launch

Previous astronaut studies have shown that long-term space travel can jeopardize their immune system. The new results show that these changes are mostly temporary. Astronauts recover quickly, which is a promising event for the prospect of sending people to Mars.

“This is similar to the way we measured blood pressure for the first time,” said lead researcher Chris Mason told MIT Tech. “We didn’t know what the real reference numbers were until we started to measure more people.”