A series of findings were highlighted by NASA in its latest study with mice in space.
In 2019, NASA released observations from mice experiments sent to International Space Station (ISS), accompanied by a two -minute video on YouTube.
In 2025, the research continues with a new scientific study considering the impact of microwave In mice that remained 37 days in space.
OR life life It is tough for the human body. Despite the six decades that have passed since the first manned space mission, space services continue to study the effects of prolonged stay on space.
With initiatives such as Maskplanning missions to Mars in the 2030s, understanding its long -term impacts microwave becomes vital.
But what exactly is the micro?
Essentially, this is a very weak form of gravitywhich the objects experience in orbit around the earth. In 2019 reports, NASA noted that it is preparing for future missions on the Moon and Mars, which makes it necessary to study the effects of microfinance on basic biology.
Using organizations such as micewhich are similar to the human system, scientists can collect valuable information on how the body is affected in a zero -gravity environment.
The effect of microtivity on bones
The new study of 2025 focuses on bone loss And in the way in which space radiation affects bone density. NASA estimates that for every month of stay in space, bone density is reduced by 1%while muscle mass is reduced by 20% within two weeks.
In this research, scientists examined female mice And they compared their bone mass with mice that remained on Earth, either in regular cages or in an environment that resembles ISS conditions.
The results of the survey
Findings showed that the loss of bone mass was not uniform. The femoral bones of mice traveled in space presented greater loss of mass in relation to the bones of the spine. Scientists believe that the leading cause is microwave, rather than increased radiation.
The bone mass loss process appeared to be different from previous experiments with Medaka fish sent to the ISS. In fish, cells that absorb bone tissue (osteoclasts) were excessively activated, while bone forming cells were inactive.
But in mice, the results were more complicatedas different types of bones reacted in a different way to microfinance. While the bones of weight (such as the femur) showed a loss of mass, some remained unaffected.
On the contrary, the cranial bones became denser, which may be due to the Increase in blood pressure on the upper part of the body. In the first days in space, astronauts are experiencing swelling in the face; headaches and changes to the feeling of smellerdue to the redistribution of body fluids. By adapting the body, these symptoms recede.
What does this mean for future space missions?
Despite new discoveries, there are still unanswered questions How human bones react to prolonged missions in space.
Research is continuing so that future astronauts who travel to the Moon, Mars and beyond him, can be able to adapt and maintain the health of their musculoskeletal system.