All Microbes and Space articles
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FeaturesMars analogues and where to find them
“Are we alone in the universe?” is one of humanity’s oldest questions, with tremendous scientific and social ramifications. In search of answers, a great deal of attention has been focused on our closest neighbour, the red planet, Mars.
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CareersTowards space plastics - and solving a few Earth problems en route
Dr Nils Averesch, Assistant Professor of Space Biology at the Space Life Science Laboratory, Cape Canaveral, reveals how his research on microbial plastic production could pave the way for thriving human settlements in space.
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CareersThe Space Microbiology Group
The Space Microbiology Group studies how microorganisms behave in space conditions, using tools such as microbiology, molecular biology, system biology and geomicrobiology to learn how new biotechnologies could be applied to space.
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NewsStudy reveals how ‘Conan the Bacterium’ withstands extreme radiation
Deinococcus radiodurans can withstand radiation doses thousands of times higher than what would kill a human - and scientists have uncovered the secrets of the antioxidant that confers this protection.
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NewsScientists team up with NASA to unlock ocean phytoplankton secrets from space
Scientists have teamed up with NASA on a new-generation satellite mission to study the colour of the ocean from space, providing vital information about ocean health and its role in climate regulation.
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NewsCrews sample lichens in ‘dress rehearsal’ for Martian exploration
During simulated extra-vehicular activities, Mars 160 mission specialists wearing simulated spacesuits scouted out various habitats in two Mars analog stations, seeking out lichen species growing in various microhabitats.
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NewsStudy suggests how to curb spread of mold in future space stations
Researchers have created a predictive approach for modeling unintended microbial growth in critical spaces and applied it to life on the International Space Station. The study provides insight into how healthy environments might be maintained during future missions.
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NewsNASA brings space leaders to London to shape future of microgravity research
Leading space experts from around the world gathered at the Royal Institution to discuss the future of microgravity research and prepare for the next generation of human presence in low Earth orbit.
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NewsInternational consortium with NASA reveals hidden impact of spaceflight on gut health
Scientists have uncovered how spaceflight profoundly alters the gut microbiome, revealing previously unknown effects on host physiology that could shape the future of long-duration space missions.
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CareersMeet the Global Ambassadors: our Q&A with Alexandre S. Rosado
The Microbiologist gets to know our new Global Ambassador for Saudi Arabia, Alexandre S Rosado, who is Professor of Bioscience at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology.
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NewsExpiring medications could pose challenge on long space missions
Medications commonly used by astronauts aboard the International Space Station might be ineffective or harmful on a multi-year mission to Mars, a new study suggests.
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NewsResearchers develop new way for beneficial microbes to survive extreme conditions and space exploration
The team’s formulations allow microbial therapeutics to maintain their potency and function over time despite extreme temperatures, harsh manufacturing processes, and radiation exposure.
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NewsStudy reveals a way to protect microbes from extreme conditions
By helping microbes withstand industrial processing, the method could make it easier to harness the benefits of microorganisms used as medicines and in agriculture.
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CareersThe Microbial EcoGenomics and Biotechnology Lab (MEGBLab)
At MEGBLab, our mission is to advance the understanding of microorganisms and their crucial role in environmental sustainability.
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CareersMicrobiology at the edge of the world: Studying high temperature sites in Antarctica
AMI Ocean Sustainability Scientific Advisory Group member André Antunes and his colleagues reveal the ups and downs of their latest expedition to Antarctica.
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NewsSigns of life potentially detectable in single ice grain emitted from extraterrestrial moons
A new lab-based study shows that individual ice grains ejected from the moons of Saturn and Jupiter may potentially contain enough material for instruments headed there in the fall to detect signs of life, if such life exists.
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NewsSpace-grown antiviral drug successfully brought back to earth in private Varda Space capsule
Space-grown crystals of an antiviral drug have been brought to earth following the successful recovery of the capsule from Varda Space Industries’ W-1 mission.
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NewsScience and technology projects wanted for potential UK mission with Axiom Space
UK Space Agency seeks proposals for best of British science and tech that could fly to space with a team of British astronauts, funded by commercial sponsorship.
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NewsSpace-grown salad more susceptible to foodborne infections than on earth
A research team finds lettuce and other plants are more susceptible to bacterial infections in space than on Earth.
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NewsScientists sending microbes to space to see how they grow in low gravity
Researchers will send specimens to the International Space Station to see how biofilms develop in partially and variably water-saturated porous media.
