Latest news with #BeijingInstituteofSpacecraftSystemEngineering
Economic Times
22-05-2025
- Science
- Economic Times
Can microbes survive in space? This study answers the question
Scientists have discovered a new microbe species aboard China's Tiangong space station. Named Niallia tiangongensis, this strain shows unique adaptations to space. The discovery, made during the Shenzhou 15 mission, offers insight into how microbes survive in orbit and may help protect astronauts on long-term space missions. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads New Microbe Found Scientific Analysis Traits of New Strain Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads The Study FAQs A new species of microbe has been found on the Chinese Tiangong space station . Scientists analyzed samples from the station and identified a strain not seen before. The discovery was confirmed in a scientific strain, Niallia tiangongensis , was discovered in samples collected during the Shenzhou 15 crewed mission. This mission returned to Earth in June 2023. The samples were taken from surfaces inside Tiangong. Scientists later studied these samples in laboratories on confirmed that the microbe is a new strain using different methods. They used morphological observation, genome sequencing and metabolic profiling. These methods showed that the strain belongs to the genus Niallia and the family Cytobacillaceae. The microbe is related to another strain found on Earth. That strain exists in soil and waste. It can infect people with weak immune new strain has several traits that are different from its Earth-based relatives. It shows a stronger oxidative stress response. It also forms a biofilm that helps it repair radiation damage. These traits help the microbe survive in space. The differences come from changes in two types of proteins in the microbe. Scientists believe these traits are adaptations to astronauts collect microbe samples from different areas inside Tiangong. These areas include air vents, surfaces and water dispensers. Monitoring microbes helps protect astronauts and keep the space station working well. This regular monitoring helped researchers discover the new study was done by scientists from the Shenzhou Space Biotechnology Group and the Beijing Institute of Spacecraft System Engineering. The findings were published in the International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology in March discovery helps scientists understand how microbes adapt in space and how to protect astronauts during long was identified using morphological studies, genome sequencing and metabolic profiling from samples taken aboard the Tiangong station.
Sky News AU
21-05-2025
- Science
- Sky News AU
Mysterious bacteria with ‘unique abilities' discovered on Chinese space station
Chinese scientists discovered a novel strain of bacterium with 'unique abilities' that allowed it to thrive on the Tiangong Space Station, according to a report. The newly named Niallia tiangongensis was isolated by taikonauts from surface hardware on the China Space Station, according to a paper from the Beijing Institute of Spacecraft System Engineering published in the International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology. The novel strain is closely related to the terrestrial bacterium Niallia circulans, which is found in soil, sewage, food and human stool — but exhibits several mutations that could prove beneficial in the study of life as it moves out into space, the paper claimed. Scientists said the novel strain 'demonstrates a unique ability to hydrolyze gelatin suggesting that it can utilize gelatin as a substrate in nutrient-limited environments,' according to the paper. Nialla t. further showed 'structural and functional' difference in two key proteins which 'may enhance' biofilm formation, oxidative stress response and repair radiation damage, scientists claimed. All of these unique formations, likely mutations of the earthly bacteria developed in space, make Nialla tiangongensis incredibly resilient and adaptable to the space environment, the paper stated. Taikonauts from the China Space Station Habitation Area Microbiome Program collected the novel strain in 2023 using a somewhat homespun protocol — sterile wipes to swab the surface of the station and returning the frozen wipes to Earth, South China Morning Post reported. The program, called CHAMP, tracks microbial dynamics during long-term space operations, conducting research related to active substances, genetic resources, and metabolic functions of microbes, according to that report. Knowledge gleaned from these tests will be key for long-term, manned space flights, but also will be useful for medicine and agriculture, according to the report. A similar icky discovery was made on the International Space Station last year — when American astronauts discovered a mutated and drug-resistant version of a common bacterium that is also commonly found in the human gastrointestinal tract, a study showed. Originally published as Mysterious bacteria with 'unique abilities' discovered on Chinese space station
New York Post
21-05-2025
- Science
- New York Post
Mysterious bacteria with ‘unique abilities' discovered on Chinese space station
Bact to the future. Chinese scientists discovered a novel strain of bacterium with 'unique abilities' that allowed it to thrive on the Tiangong Space Station, according to a report. The newly named Niallia tiangongensis was isolated by taikonauts from surface hardware on the China Space Station, according to a paper from the Beijing Institute of Spacecraft System Engineering published in the International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology. The novel strain is closely related to the terrestrial bacterium Niallia circulans, which is found in soil, sewage, food and human stool — but exhibits several mutations that could prove beneficial in the study of life as it moves out into space, the paper claimed. Scientists said the novel strain 'demonstrates a unique ability to hydrolyze gelatin suggesting that it can utilize gelatin as a substrate in nutrient-limited environments,' according to the paper. Nialla t. further showed 'structural and functional' difference in two key proteins which 'may enhance' biofilm formation, oxidative stress response and repair radiation damage, scientists claimed. The novel strain is closely related to a bacteria found in soil, sewage, food and human stool. Wikipedia/CC BY-SA 4.0 Bacteria in a petri dish similar to that swabbed with sterile wipes on China's Tiangong Space Station. ridvanarda – All of these unique formations, likely mutations of the earthly bacteria developed in space, make Nialla tiangongensis incredibly resilient and adaptable to the space environment, the paper stated. Taikonauts from the China Space Station Habitation Area Microbiome Program collected the novel strain in 2023 using a somewhat homespun protocol — sterile wipes to swab the surface of the station and returning the frozen wipes to Earth, South China Morning Post reported. The program, called CHAMP, tracks microbial dynamics during long-term space operations, conducting research related to active substances, genetic resources, and metabolic functions of microbes, according to that report. Knowledge gleaned from these tests will be key for long-term, manned space flights, but also will be useful for medicine and agriculture, according to the report. A similar icky discovery was made on the International Space Station last year — when American astronauts discovered a mutated and drug-resistant version of a common bacterium that is also commonly found in the human gastrointestinal tract, a study showed.
Scottish Sun
20-05-2025
- Science
- Scottish Sun
Unknown bacteria found on China's space station ‘never seen on Earth' with ‘unique ability' after astronauts swab cabin
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A MYSTERIOUS form of bacteria has been discovered aboard China's space station, with unique abilities that help it survive hundreds of kilometres above the ground. Scientists found the bacteria, called Niallia tiangongensis, after astronauts swabbed a cabin on the Tiangong orbital outpost in May 2023. 2 While it is related to similar bacteria on Earth, it's not clear where the new N. tiangongensis came from, or whether it evolved on the station Credit: Getty Researchers from the Shenzhou Space Biotechnology Group and the Beijing Institute of Spacecraft System Engineering say the study of this new bacteria and others is "essential" in protecting astronauts' health. While it is related to similar bacteria on Earth, it's not clear where the new N. tiangongensis came from, or whether it evolved on the station. It's possible it arrived on Tiangong in spore form, with at least a few of its distinguishing features in place. Scientists are still working out if N. tiangongensis poses any threat to astronauts health. A bacterial cousin on Earth can cause sepsis in immunocompromised patients. A new study on the bacteria, published in a leading microbiology journal, found the new species can break down gelatin as a source of nitrogen and carbon. This rare ability allows it to build a protective biofilm shield over itself when conditions become too extreme to survive. Related bacteria on Earth are able to consume other energy-packed substances for survival - but N. tiangongensis appears to have lost this ability. N. tiangongensis' new skill of breaking down gelatin, paired with the deadliness of its Earthbound bacterial cousin, suggests it could pose a risk to health. US gearing up for all-out SPACE WAR with Russia and China as general warns West 'must be ready' for orbit battlefield Astronauts on the Tiangong space station regularly disinfect surfaces and monitor microorganisms to control the growth of bacteria. There are also air filtration systems built into the space station to purify the air. But despite best efforts, astronauts can get sick with microbial infections from space station bacteria - just like they do on Earth. It cannot be completely prevented, despite the cleaning and monitoring regime, as well as the quarantining of astronauts prior to flight.
The Sun
20-05-2025
- Science
- The Sun
Unknown bacteria found on China's space station ‘never seen on Earth' with ‘unique ability' after astronauts swab cabin
A MYSTERIOUS form of bacteria has been discovered aboard China's space station, with unique abilities that help it survive hundreds of kilometres above the ground. Scientists found the bacteria, called Niallia tiangongensis, after astronauts swabbed a cabin on the Tiangong orbital outpost in May 2023. Researchers from the Shenzhou Space Biotechnology Group and the Beijing Institute of Spacecraft System Engineering say the study of this new bacteria and others is "essential" in protecting astronauts' health. While it is related to similar bacteria on Earth, it's not clear where the new N. tiangongensis came from, or whether it evolved on the station. It's possible it arrived on Tiangong in spore form, with at least a few of its distinguishing features in place. Scientists are still working out if N. tiangongensis poses any threat to astronauts health. A bacterial cousin on Earth can cause sepsis in immunocompromised patients. A new study on the bacteria, published in a leading microbiology journal, found the new species can break down gelatin as a source of nitrogen and carbon. This rare ability allows it to build a protective biofilm shield over itself when conditions become too extreme to survive. Related bacteria on Earth are able to consume other energy-packed substances for survival - but N. tiangongensis appears to have lost this ability. N. tiangongensis' new skill of breaking down gelatin, paired with the deadliness of its Earthbound bacterial cousin, suggests it could pose a risk to health. US gearing up for all-out SPACE WAR with Russia and China as general warns West 'must be ready' for orbit battlefield Astronauts on the Tiangong space station regularly disinfect surfaces and monitor microorganisms to control the growth of bacteria. There are also air filtration systems built into the space station to purify the air. But despite best efforts, astronauts can get sick with microbial infections from space station bacteria - just like they do on Earth. It cannot be completely prevented, despite the cleaning and monitoring regime, as well as the quarantining of astronauts prior to flight.
