Researchers examined samples bloodτος δεκαετιών από 14 αστροναύτες της NASA που πέταξαν σε αποστολές διαστημικών λεωφορείων μεταξύ του 1998 και του 2001. Διαπίστωσαν ότι δείγματα και από τους 14 αστροναύτες έδειξαν μεταλλάξεις στο DNA τους. Το Futurism he says:
While these mutations are likely low enough not to pose a serious threat to astronauts' long-term health, the research underscores the importance of regular health checks for astronauts, especially as they embark on longer missions in the coming years.
The specific mutations, as identified in a new study published in magazine Nature Communications Biology, χαρακτηρίστηκαν από ένα υψηλό ποσοστό αιμοσφαιρίων που προέρχονταν από έναν μόνο κλώνο, ένα φαινόμενο που ονομάζεται κλωνική αιμοποίηση. Μεταλλάξεις όπως αυτή μπορεί να προκληθούν από έκθεση σε υπερβολική υπεριώδη radiation or other forms of radiation, including chemotherapy. In this case, researchers suspect it may have been the result of exposure to space radiation.
"Astronauts work in an extreme environment where many factors can lead to somatic mutations, most notably space radiation, which means there is a risk that these mutations could develop into clonal hematopoiesis," said lead author David Goukassian, professor of medicine at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, in a statement.
The blood samples for this latest study were collected from 12 men and two Women astronauts ten days before their flight and on the day of their landing. The samples were then cryogenically stored at -44°C for approximately two decades. The mutations seen in the blood samples look like the kind of bodily mutations we see in older people – which is interesting in itself, given that the average age of the astronauts was 42.
"Although the clonal hematopoiesis we observed was relatively small in magnitude, the fact that we observed these mutations was surprising given the relatively young age and health of these astronauts," Reported the Goukassian.
"The presence of these mutations does not necessarily mean that astronauts will develop cardiovascular disease or cancer," he added, "but there is a risk that, over time, this could occur through continuous and prolonged exposure to the extreme environment of deep space.”
So Goukassian and his team recommend that NASA regularly screen astronauts for these types of mutations.
