Latest news with #ELVIS
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Research Payloads to Support Long-Duration Spaceflight and Improve Osteoarthritis and Cancer Treatment Return From Space Station
NASA's latest SpaceX resupply mission to the space station returns with ISS National Lab-sponsored projects advancing biomedical R&D, technology development, and physical sciences KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla., May 27, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- ELVIS is back. Samples from the Extant Life Volumetric Imaging System (ELVIS)—a new holographic microscope—have returned from the International Space Station (ISS). The samples splashed down off the coast of California alongside more than two dozen other investigations sponsored by the ISS National Laboratory®. Experiments returning on SpaceX's 32nd commercial resupply services mission for NASA include a project to manufacture nanomaterials in space to treat osteoarthritis and cancer on Earth and several investigations funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF). These are a few highlights of the investigations that returned to Earth for further study to benefit humanity: Using innovative holographic technology, ELVIS delivers detailed 3D views of cellular life, allowing scientists to study the adaptability and resilience of life under extreme conditions. Findings could reveal how life might persist on distant moons and planets, potentially enhancing the search for life beyond Earth. Portland State University, in collaboration with NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California and Teledyne Brown Engineering, Inc., tested the advanced microscope system onboard the orbiting laboratory. A collection of samples examined on the space station returned for further analysis so the team can determine ELVIS' next steps in space. Researchers from the University of Connecticut and Eascra Biotech, with support from Axiom Space, built on previous research to improve the production of innovative nanomaterials in space. Janus base nanomaterials (JBNs) are composed of synthetic molecules that self-assemble into structures resembling human DNA. The injectable nanomaterials could help regenerate cartilage in the joints of osteoarthritis patients and could be used to carry cancer drugs into hard-to-penetrate solid tumors. The team's groundbreaking research is featured in the most recent issue of Upward, official magazine of the ISS National Lab. A project that is part of a series of investigations developed by the U.S. Air Force and the U.S. Air Force Academy, in partnership with Rhodium Scientific, examined how genetically modified tomato plants grow in the space environment. The team aimed to better understand how genetic modifications and gene expression changes influence root and shoot development. The researchers will compare results from this experiment with those from investigations on the Polaris Dawn and NASA's SpaceX Crew-9 missions, which featured the same Rhodium plant growth hardware. Findings could provide insights into the production of crops on long-duration space missions or in high-radiation environments. An experiment from Sophie's BioNutrients, supported by BioServe Space Technologies, aims to develop plant-based, protein-rich alternatives to meat and seafood using microalgae. The investigation examined how microgravity affects protein yields in microalgae that require nutrition from organic compounds to grow. Results could provide insights into the fundamental mechanisms of microalgae cell growth, metabolism, and protein production. In addition to serving as a food source on long-duration spaceflight missions, microalgae could also be used in life support systems and to provide oils for fuel production. Four investigations funded by NSF seek to advance fundamental science with valuable applications, continuing a strong, multiyear collaboration between NSF and the ISS National Lab. One of these projects, from Lehigh University, could enable the next generation of portable microfluidic devices that use bioseparation for virus detection. This process, which separates particles from fluids, relies on thermophoresis—the tendency of particles suspended in a solution to move from hot to cold regions along a temperature gradient. Bioseparation can be used in medical lab tests to detect the presence of a virus by separating virus particles from bodily fluids in samples. To learn more about these projects and others that launched on this resupply mission, please visit our launch page. For additional information on the ISS National Lab and its mission to enable R&D in space for the benefit of humanity, see our website. Download a high-resolution image for this release: NASA's SpaceX CRS-32 About the International Space Station (ISS) National Laboratory:The International Space Station (ISS) is a one-of-a-kind laboratory that enables research and technology development not possible on Earth. As a public service enterprise, the ISS National Laboratory® allows researchers to leverage this multiuser facility to improve quality of life on Earth, mature space-based business models, advance science literacy in the future workforce, and expand a sustainable and scalable market in low Earth orbit. Through this orbiting national laboratory, research resources on the ISS are available to support non-NASA science, technology, and education initiatives from U.S. government agencies, academic institutions, and the private sector. The Center for the Advancement of Science in Space® (CASIS®) manages the ISS National Lab, under Cooperative Agreement with NASA, facilitating access to its permanent microgravity research environment, a powerful vantage point in low Earth orbit, and the extreme and varied conditions of space. To learn more about the ISS National Lab, visit our website. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, CASIS accepts corporate and individual donations to help advance science in space for the benefit of humanity. For more information, visit our donations page. Media Contact: Patrick O'Neill 904-806-0035 PONeill@ International Space Station (ISS) National LaboratoryManaged by the Center for the Advancement of Science in Space® (CASIS®)1005 Viera Blvd., Suite 101, Rockledge, FL 32955 • 321.253.5101 • original content to download multimedia: SOURCE International Space Station National Lab Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Malaysian Reserve
28-05-2025
- Science
- Malaysian Reserve
Research Payloads to Support Long-Duration Spaceflight and Improve Osteoarthritis and Cancer Treatment Return From Space Station
NASA's latest SpaceX resupply mission to the space station returns with ISS National Lab-sponsored projects advancing biomedical R&D, technology development, and physical sciences KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla., May 27, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — ELVIS is back. Samples from the Extant Life Volumetric Imaging System (ELVIS)—a new holographic microscope—have returned from the International Space Station (ISS). The samples splashed down off the coast of California alongside more than two dozen other investigations sponsored by the ISS National Laboratory®. Experiments returning on SpaceX's 32nd commercial resupply services mission for NASA include a project to manufacture nanomaterials in space to treat osteoarthritis and cancer on Earth and several investigations funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF). These are a few highlights of the investigations that returned to Earth for further study to benefit humanity: Using innovative holographic technology, ELVIS delivers detailed 3D views of cellular life, allowing scientists to study the adaptability and resilience of life under extreme conditions. Findings could reveal how life might persist on distant moons and planets, potentially enhancing the search for life beyond Earth. Portland State University, in collaboration with NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California and Teledyne Brown Engineering, Inc., tested the advanced microscope system onboard the orbiting laboratory. A collection of samples examined on the space station returned for further analysis so the team can determine ELVIS' next steps in space. Researchers from the University of Connecticut and Eascra Biotech, with support from Axiom Space, built on previous research to improve the production of innovative nanomaterials in space. Janus base nanomaterials (JBNs) are composed of synthetic molecules that self-assemble into structures resembling human DNA. The injectable nanomaterials could help regenerate cartilage in the joints of osteoarthritis patients and could be used to carry cancer drugs into hard-to-penetrate solid tumors. The team's groundbreaking research is featured in the most recent issue of Upward, official magazine of the ISS National Lab. A project that is part of a series of investigations developed by the U.S. Air Force and the U.S. Air Force Academy, in partnership with Rhodium Scientific, examined how genetically modified tomato plants grow in the space environment. The team aimed to better understand how genetic modifications and gene expression changes influence root and shoot development. The researchers will compare results from this experiment with those from investigations on the Polaris Dawn and NASA's SpaceX Crew-9 missions, which featured the same Rhodium plant growth hardware. Findings could provide insights into the production of crops on long-duration space missions or in high-radiation environments. An experiment from Sophie's BioNutrients, supported by BioServe Space Technologies, aims to develop plant-based, protein-rich alternatives to meat and seafood using microalgae. The investigation examined how microgravity affects protein yields in microalgae that require nutrition from organic compounds to grow. Results could provide insights into the fundamental mechanisms of microalgae cell growth, metabolism, and protein production. In addition to serving as a food source on long-duration spaceflight missions, microalgae could also be used in life support systems and to provide oils for fuel production. Four investigations funded by NSF seek to advance fundamental science with valuable applications, continuing a strong, multiyear collaboration between NSF and the ISS National Lab. One of these projects, from Lehigh University, could enable the next generation of portable microfluidic devices that use bioseparation for virus detection. This process, which separates particles from fluids, relies on thermophoresis—the tendency of particles suspended in a solution to move from hot to cold regions along a temperature gradient. Bioseparation can be used in medical lab tests to detect the presence of a virus by separating virus particles from bodily fluids in samples. To learn more about these projects and others that launched on this resupply mission, please visit our launch page. For additional information on the ISS National Lab and its mission to enable R&D in space for the benefit of humanity, see our website. Download a high-resolution image for this release: NASA's SpaceX CRS-32 About the International Space Station (ISS) National Laboratory:The International Space Station (ISS) is a one-of-a-kind laboratory that enables research and technology development not possible on Earth. As a public service enterprise, the ISS National Laboratory® allows researchers to leverage this multiuser facility to improve quality of life on Earth, mature space-based business models, advance science literacy in the future workforce, and expand a sustainable and scalable market in low Earth orbit. Through this orbiting national laboratory, research resources on the ISS are available to support non-NASA science, technology, and education initiatives from U.S. government agencies, academic institutions, and the private sector. The Center for the Advancement of Science in Space® (CASIS®) manages the ISS National Lab, under Cooperative Agreement with NASA, facilitating access to its permanent microgravity research environment, a powerful vantage point in low Earth orbit, and the extreme and varied conditions of space. To learn more about the ISS National Lab, visit our website. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, CASIS accepts corporate and individual donations to help advance science in space for the benefit of humanity. For more information, visit our donations page. Media Contact: Patrick O'Neill 904-806-0035 PONeill@ International Space Station (ISS) National Laboratory Managed by the Center for the Advancement of Science in Space® (CASIS®) 1005 Viera Blvd., Suite 101, Rockledge, FL 32955 • 321.253.5101 •
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Research Payloads to Support Long-Duration Spaceflight and Improve Osteoarthritis and Cancer Treatment Return From Space Station
NASA's latest SpaceX resupply mission to the space station returns with ISS National Lab-sponsored projects advancing biomedical R&D, technology development, and physical sciences KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla., May 27, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- ELVIS is back. Samples from the Extant Life Volumetric Imaging System (ELVIS)—a new holographic microscope—have returned from the International Space Station (ISS). The samples splashed down off the coast of California alongside more than two dozen other investigations sponsored by the ISS National Laboratory®. Experiments returning on SpaceX's 32nd commercial resupply services mission for NASA include a project to manufacture nanomaterials in space to treat osteoarthritis and cancer on Earth and several investigations funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF). These are a few highlights of the investigations that returned to Earth for further study to benefit humanity: Using innovative holographic technology, ELVIS delivers detailed 3D views of cellular life, allowing scientists to study the adaptability and resilience of life under extreme conditions. Findings could reveal how life might persist on distant moons and planets, potentially enhancing the search for life beyond Earth. Portland State University, in collaboration with NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California and Teledyne Brown Engineering, Inc., tested the advanced microscope system onboard the orbiting laboratory. A collection of samples examined on the space station returned for further analysis so the team can determine ELVIS' next steps in space. Researchers from the University of Connecticut and Eascra Biotech, with support from Axiom Space, built on previous research to improve the production of innovative nanomaterials in space. Janus base nanomaterials (JBNs) are composed of synthetic molecules that self-assemble into structures resembling human DNA. The injectable nanomaterials could help regenerate cartilage in the joints of osteoarthritis patients and could be used to carry cancer drugs into hard-to-penetrate solid tumors. The team's groundbreaking research is featured in the most recent issue of Upward, official magazine of the ISS National Lab. A project that is part of a series of investigations developed by the U.S. Air Force and the U.S. Air Force Academy, in partnership with Rhodium Scientific, examined how genetically modified tomato plants grow in the space environment. The team aimed to better understand how genetic modifications and gene expression changes influence root and shoot development. The researchers will compare results from this experiment with those from investigations on the Polaris Dawn and NASA's SpaceX Crew-9 missions, which featured the same Rhodium plant growth hardware. Findings could provide insights into the production of crops on long-duration space missions or in high-radiation environments. An experiment from Sophie's BioNutrients, supported by BioServe Space Technologies, aims to develop plant-based, protein-rich alternatives to meat and seafood using microalgae. The investigation examined how microgravity affects protein yields in microalgae that require nutrition from organic compounds to grow. Results could provide insights into the fundamental mechanisms of microalgae cell growth, metabolism, and protein production. In addition to serving as a food source on long-duration spaceflight missions, microalgae could also be used in life support systems and to provide oils for fuel production. Four investigations funded by NSF seek to advance fundamental science with valuable applications, continuing a strong, multiyear collaboration between NSF and the ISS National Lab. One of these projects, from Lehigh University, could enable the next generation of portable microfluidic devices that use bioseparation for virus detection. This process, which separates particles from fluids, relies on thermophoresis—the tendency of particles suspended in a solution to move from hot to cold regions along a temperature gradient. Bioseparation can be used in medical lab tests to detect the presence of a virus by separating virus particles from bodily fluids in samples. To learn more about these projects and others that launched on this resupply mission, please visit our launch page. For additional information on the ISS National Lab and its mission to enable R&D in space for the benefit of humanity, see our website. Download a high-resolution image for this release: NASA's SpaceX CRS-32 About the International Space Station (ISS) National Laboratory:The International Space Station (ISS) is a one-of-a-kind laboratory that enables research and technology development not possible on Earth. As a public service enterprise, the ISS National Laboratory® allows researchers to leverage this multiuser facility to improve quality of life on Earth, mature space-based business models, advance science literacy in the future workforce, and expand a sustainable and scalable market in low Earth orbit. Through this orbiting national laboratory, research resources on the ISS are available to support non-NASA science, technology, and education initiatives from U.S. government agencies, academic institutions, and the private sector. The Center for the Advancement of Science in Space® (CASIS®) manages the ISS National Lab, under Cooperative Agreement with NASA, facilitating access to its permanent microgravity research environment, a powerful vantage point in low Earth orbit, and the extreme and varied conditions of space. To learn more about the ISS National Lab, visit our website. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, CASIS accepts corporate and individual donations to help advance science in space for the benefit of humanity. For more information, visit our donations page. Media Contact: Patrick O'Neill 904-806-0035 PONeill@ International Space Station (ISS) National LaboratoryManaged by the Center for the Advancement of Science in Space® (CASIS®)1005 Viera Blvd., Suite 101, Rockledge, FL 32955 • 321.253.5101 • original content to download multimedia: SOURCE International Space Station National Lab
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Not-so-clean rooms: Scientists discover 26 new microbe species in NASA spacecraft facility
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Life, as they say, finds a way — even in the most sterile places on Earth. Scientists from NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Southern California, along with researchers in India and Saudi Arabia, have discovered 26 previously unknown bacterial species in the clean rooms that were used to prep NASA's Phoenix Mars lander for its August 2007 launch. Clean rooms are decontaminated and intensely controlled environments specifically designed to prevent microbial life from hitching a ride into space. But some microorganisms, known as extremophiles, show impressive resilience in inhospitable environments, whether that's the vacuum of space, hydrothermal vents on the slopes of undersea volcanoes, or even NASA clean rooms. "Our study aimed to understand the risk of extremophiles being transferred in space missions and to identify which microorganisms might survive the harsh conditions of space," study team member Alexandre Rosado, a researcher at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) in Saudi Arabia, said in a statement. "This effort is pivotal for monitoring the risk of microbial contamination and safeguarding against unintentional colonization of exploring planets," Rosado added. These hardy microbes may also offer insights that could benefit life on Earth. The scientists performed genetic research on samples gathered from the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, one of the last stops for Phoenix before its launch from neighboring Cape Canaveral Space Force Station (then known as Cape Canaveral Air Force Station). They found 53 strains that they determined belonged to 26 novel species. And they dug into the genomes of these newfound extremophiles, looking for clues that could help explain their extraordinary survivability. The keys might be in genes linked to DNA repair, detoxification of harmful substances and boosted metabolism, according to the team. "The genes identified in these newly discovered bacterial species could be engineered for applications in medicine, food preservation and other industries," said Junia Schultz, a postdoctoral fellow at KAUST. Related stories: — How microbes from Earth can help astronauts adapt to long-term space missions — Life on Mars? It probably looks like something you'd find in your stomach — ELVIS in orbit: New 3D microscope arrives at the ISS to study microbes in space And, of course, the research will help NASA improve its clean room protocols to minimize the risk of biological contamination on future missions. "Together, we are unraveling the mysteries of microbes that withstand the extreme conditions of space — organisms with the potential to revolutionize the life sciences, bioengineering and interplanetary exploration," said Kasthuri Venkateswaran, a retired JPL scientist and a lead author of the study on the research, which was published May 12 in the journal Microbiome.
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
ELVIS in orbit: New 3D microscope arrives at the ISS to study microbes in space
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. A new microscope just arrived at the International Space Station (ISS) to help study life's adaptability under extreme conditions using an innovative imaging technique. The Extant Life Volumetric Imaging System, or ELVIS, was sponsored by the ISS National Laboratory and developed by researchers at Portland State University (PSU), in partnership with NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California. The instrument arrived at the orbiting lab this morning (April 22) on a SpaceX Dragon cargo capsule, which is flying the company's 32nd Commercial Resupply Services mission for NASA. ELVIS uses cutting-edge holographic technology known as volumetric imaging to create 3D images of microbes and other cells. The mission aims to study how microscopic life adapts to the harsh environment of space; its results could eventually help scientists identify life on other planets and moons, such as Jupiter's Europa and Saturn's Enceladus, team members say. Related: The search for alien life Unlike traditional two-dimensional microscopes, ELVIS allows researchers to observe the intricate structure and behavior of living cells in a volumetric format. The system enables detailed biological assessments of how cells change in microgravity — a condition only consistently available to researchers aboard the ISS. "We are thrilled to leverage the ISS National Lab to prepare ELVIS for its future roles in space exploration missions,' Jay Nadeau, a PSU physics professor and principal investigator on the project, said in a PSU statement. "The successful operation of ELVIS in the demanding conditions of space not only paves the way for its use in off-Earth environments but also holds implications for enhancing biomedical and microbiological research on our planet," Nadeau added. Nadeau first proposed using holographic microscopy as a life-hunting technique back in 2017, in a paper arguing that it could potentially detect minute signs of life that regular 2D microscopes might miss. "It's harder to distinguish between a microbe and a speck of dust than you'd think," Nadeau said in 2017, when she was a research professor of medical engineering and aerospace at the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena. "Digital holographic microscopy allows you to see and track even the tiniest of motions," she went on to say. Related stories: — International Space Station: Everything you need to know about the orbital laboratory — SpaceX CRS-32 Dragon cargo capsule arrives at the ISS with 6,700 pounds of supplies (video) — Did we actually find signs of alien life on K2-18b? 'We should expect some false alarms and this may be one' This capability not only allows for possibly identifying microbes among inert matter, as Nadeau and her colleagues proposed in that 2017 paper, but also enables tracking cellular changes that might not be apparent from flat, 2D imaging. ELVIS therefore could see changes induced in a cell's structure in the extreme conditions of space better than a 2D image could. During its ISS mission, ELVIS will study two Earth-based organisms known for their toughness and resilience: Euglena gracilis, a highly adaptable microalga, and Colwellia psychrerythraea, a cold-loving bacterium found in deep ocean waters. By analyzing these lifeforms in microgravity, scientists aim to uncover both observable and genetic changes that could help life persist in alien environments. Engineered for space conditions, ELVIS includes durable, low-maintenance components and automation features that reduce the need for astronaut intervention, allowing experiments to run with minimal disruption, mission team members said.
