Even Short Flights to Space Cause Cell Mutations That Could Lead to Cancer and Heart Disease

It's not just that astronauts are strapped to an explosion for their ascent into space, it's also that spaceflight can be dangerous. It's long-term effects on the human body are starting to come more clearly into focus, and so far, no good answers have been found. According to a new study from Mount Sinai Medical Hospital, astronauts are at risk of being damaged if they go on spaceflights for less than a year.

Fourteen astronauts that flew on shuttle flights from 1998 to 2001 were the subject of the study. The majority of the astronauts had their blood drawn before and after their shuttle flights. The blood samples have been used by scientists for the last twenty years and this new study uses them and the improved technology of the last twenty years.

The hematopoietic system is the place where blood cells are formed. They won't be passed on to the next generation becausematic mutations don't affect egg or sperm cells. clonal hematopoiesis is a disorder in which more blood cells come from a single clone.

CH doesn't usually have symptoms associated with it so that isn't cause for alarm. It shows an increased risk factor for cardiovascular disease. The astronauts genes were similar to those of people who have been exposed to ultraviolet radiation or chemicals.

One of the most frequently changed genes is associated with acute myeloid leukemia. Doctors use a standard threshold to diagnose someone with CH.

The astronauts only spent 12 days in space. Longer missions, such as those to Mars or even a permanent base on the Moon, could lead to more damaging effects. Twins Mark and Scott Kelly were used to study the effects of microgravity on the human body. The effects don't seem to be very effective.

There were other problems found in the shuttle astronauts as well. Inflammation problems can be caused by a high amount ofMitochondrial DNA floating in their bloodstream. The human body is difficult to deal with in regards to spaceflight. There are no red flags so far but they are worth keeping an eye on.

You can learn more.

According to researchers at Mt Sinai Hospital, spaceflight may increase the risk of heart disease and cancer.

A retrospective analysis of hematopoiesis in astronauts was done.

UT defends against radiation.

Humans on Artemis I will be soaked up a lunar mission's worth of radiation.

There will be many lifetimes worth of radiation for astronauts going to Mars.