Latest news with #Shenzhou-15
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Unknown strain of bacteria found on China's Tiangong Space Station — and it's developing resistance to space
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Scientists have discovered a new microbe never-before-seen on Earth inside China's Tiangong space station. The new strain of bacteria, named Niallia tiangongensis after the space station, is a variant of a soil-dwelling terrestrial microbe that can cause sepsis, and was found inside one of the station's cabins. Now, a new analysis of the strain has revealed that the bacterium isn't only one of a kind, but has also picked up some key adaptations that could be helpful in future space missions. The researchers published their findings March 3 in the journal International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology. "Understanding the characteristics of microbes during long-term space missions is essential for safeguarding the health of astronauts and maintaining the functionality of spacecraft," the researchers wrote in the study. The new strain was found in samples collected in 2023 by the crew of the Shenzhou-15 mission, who swabbed the space station's modules with sterile wipes before freezing them for transport. Related: Purple bacteria could be key to finding extraterrestrial life on exoplanets After being sent back to Earth, analysis revealed that the bacteria was closely related to Niallia circulans, a rod-shaped, spore-propagating bacteria that typically dwells in soil, sewage and food, and can cause sepsis in immunocompromised patients. RELATED STORIES —If life can exist in your stomach, it can exist on Mars. Here's what it might look like. —Samples of 'alien' asteroid Ryugu are crawling with life — from Earth —Little Green Men? Nope, Extraterrestrial Life May Look More Like Pasta. However, the new strain had also picked up a few new adaptations to survive the harsh conditions of space. These include genes that code responses to oxidative stress, repair the bacteria from radiation damage, and enable it to form biofilms by breaking down gelatin to extract carbon and nitrogen. It's not yet clear if the new strain could cause harm to humans, but the researchers hope that by studying it further they could learn more about how it, and others, survive; as well as the best ways to prevent human astronauts from any risks associated with space-adapted bugs. This isn't the first microbe to have made the evolutionary leap to survive beyond our planet, either. In 2018, NASA scientists discovered four previously unknown strains of antibiotic-resistant bacteria hiding inside the International Space Station's toilets, each with a suite of new adaptations to help them survive in outer space.
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Mysterious Bacteria Not Found on Earth Are Growing on China's Space Station
Samples taken from China's Tiangong space station contained a new, mysterious microbe that hasn't been seen on Earth, a recent paper published in the International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology revealed. The microbe, named Niallia tiangongensis — it was named after the space station — is a never-before-seen strain of an earthborne bacteria specially adapted to off-planet life. According to the research, which was conducted by a team of scientists from the Shenzhou Space Biotechnology Group and the Beijing Institute of Spacecraft System Engineering, the new microbe has evolved to withstand oxidative stress and heal from radiation damage. It can also, as Science Alert points out, use gelatin as a source of nitrogen and carbon to build itself a protective shield against environmental stressors. It's unclear whether the bacteria pose any threat to astronauts onboard the space station, and their related strains are generally considered unpathogenic. Though, as Science Alert notes, one of its Earthly cousins is known to cause sepsis in immunocompromised patients. But if the microbe could stand to cause any harm, its recovery and analysis could help researchers on Earth better equip spacefarers to stay healthy, safe, and protected during their trips beyond our atmosphere. "Understanding the characteristics of microbes during long-term space missions is essential for safeguarding the health of astronauts and maintaining the functionality of spacecraft," the researchers wrote in the paper. The new species is a cousin of the rod-shaped, spore-forming bacterium Niallia circulans, commonly found in soil and sewage. The samples studied by Chinese researchers were first collected back in 2023 by the crew of the Shenzhou-15 mission, whose research contributions also include playing ping-pong in space. This isn't the first time that space-adapted microbes have been discovered aboard humanity's space stations. Last year, for instance, a NASA study revealed that researchers from its esteemed Jet Propulsion Lab had found that specimens of the drug-resistant bacteria Enterobacter bugandensis had mutated into never-before-seen alien strains, which were adapted not only to help themselves better withstand conditions of space, but had even evolved to help other microbial life do the same. "Any microorganisms introduced to these areas," NASA said in a press release at the time, "must adapt to thrive." More on spacefaring bacteria: Mutant Bacteria Discovered Aboard International Space Station
Newsweek
20-05-2025
- Science
- Newsweek
New Microbe Discovered Aboard Chinese Space Station
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Scientists have identified a new microbe that developed on board China's Tiangong space station, according to a new study. The strain, officially named niallia tiangongensis, is a new variant of a terrestrial bacteria and was found in a cabin inside the space station. The findings were revealed this month by researchers from the Shenzhou Space Biotechnology Group and Beijing Institute of Spacecraft System Engineering in the International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology. Why It Matters The discovery holds major implications for future space missions, astronaut health, and biosecurity. Niallia tiangongensis demonstrated noteworthy resilience to space-specific stressors, including enhanced repair from radiation damage and the ability to survive oxidative stress—factors critical for maintaining long-term spaceflight safety. As humanity prepares for extended lunar and Mars missions, understanding how microbes adapt to space will inform engineering, medicine, and agricultural practices not only in orbit but for Earth-bound applications as well. File photo: Tiangong space station orbiting planet Earth. File photo: Tiangong space station orbiting planet Earth. alejomiranda/Getty Images What To Know Astronauts on the Shenzhou-15 mission used sterile wipes to collect microbial samples from Tiangong's interior in May 2023. Samples were stored at very low temperatures, returned to Earth, and subjected to genomic, metabolic, and phylogenetic analysis. Researchers found that the new strain belongs to the genus niallia in the family cyto bacillaceae, but is genetically distinct from known relatives on Earth. Cytobacillus is a genus of rod-shaped bacteria, and the bacillaceae family is one of the most robust bacteria on Earth. The microbe appears to have evolved or adapted traits suited to life in the unique environment of the Tiangong space station, distinguishing it both genetically and functionally from known Earth species. The new bacterium was noted for its ability to survive the extreme conditions of space: it demonstrated advanced resistance to radiation-induced cellular damage and oxidative stress. Researchers have yet to establish whether niallia tiangongensis poses any direct health threat to astronauts aboard Tiangong. The finding is part of the China Space Station Habitation Area Microbiome Program, which seeks to characterize and control microbial populations within space habitats. Tiangong's platform has enabled more than 180 science experiments to date, including the development of space-grown rice varieties, deployment of stem cell research, a space-based cold-atom gyroscope, and sustained experimental ecosystems, according to Chinese outlets. What People Are Saying Javier Martin-Torres, a professor at the University of Aberdeen, Scotland, told Newsweek: "The discovery of this new microbe is not immediately concerning but warrants careful study. Its enhanced ability to combat oxidative stress and reverse radiation-induced damage suggests it has adapted to the extreme space environment, which could pose health risks to astronauts if not properly managed. However, it is not currently a significant threat to space travel or humans on Earth, as microbes in space stations are closely monitored, and robust control measures are in place." Martin-Torres added: "This finding highlights the remarkable adaptability of extremophiles to space conditions, offering insights into microbial survival in harsh environments like Mars or other planetary bodies and solar system environments. It also underscores the importance of international cooperation under the COSPAR Planetary Protection Policy, which fosters collaboration among space agencies to document and manage spacecraft microbiomes, ensuring astronaut safety and planetary protection." What Happens Next Research teams continue to monitor the new bacterium's characteristics, focusing on potential health impacts for crew and mitigation strategies for long-term missions. Future findings are expected to inform protocols for microbial control on the Tiangong and other international space platforms, as well as influence biotechnological innovations for Earth and space.
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Unknown Species of Bacteria Discovered in China's Space Station
Swabs from China's Tiangong space station reveal traces of a bacterium unseen on Earth, with characteristics that may help it function under stressful environmental conditions hundreds of kilometers above the planet's surface. Naming their discovery after the station, researchers from the Shenzhou Space Biotechnology Group and the Beijing Institute of Spacecraft System Engineering say the study of Niallia tiangongensis and similar species could be "essential" in protecting astronaut health and spacecraft functionality over long missions. The swabs were taken from a cabin on board the space station in May 2023 by the Shenzhou-15 crew as part of one of two surveys by the China Space Station Habitation Area Microbiome Programme. Follow-up studies have traced the growth of microbes that inhabit the space station environment, revealing a microbiome that differs in both composition and function from the one found on the International Space Station. The new species appears to be a close cousin to a known strain called Niallia circulans – a rod-shaped, soil-dwelling bacterium that just a few years ago was reallocated to a new genus classification, having previously been regarded as a pathogenic form of Bacillus. Like species of Bacillus, N. circulans and its space-faring relatives pack their essential chemistry into hardy spores to survive times of great stress. It's not clear whether N. tiangongensis evolved on the station or arrived in spore form with at least a few of its distinguishing features in place. According to the recently published analysis on its genes and functions, the new species has a unique ability to break down gelatin as a source of nitrogen and carbon, a knack that comes in handy when it needs to construct a protective coat of biofilm to bunker beneath when conditions get a little rough. On the other hand, it seems to have lost the ability to utilize other energy-packed substances its cousins happily chow down on. Not only does this reveal Niallia can be a diverse bunch of microorganisms, it demonstrates how readily some varieties of bacterium can make themselves right at home in our orbiting habitats. There's also not a great deal we can do about it. An examination of the 'clean rooms' NASA used to prepare the Mars Phoenix mission revealed dozens of microbe strains belonging to 26 novel species. A recent study of these novel bacteria found their amazing ability to survive conditions we would assume to make the environment sterile came down to genes linked to DNA repair and resistance to levels of substances other microbes would find toxic. Knowing thy enemy is clearly a significant step towards dealing with them. If we can't prevent their existence or their ability to adapt, it is vital we can predict how microbes will adjust to living in space. It's yet to be determined whether Niallia tiangongensis poses any threat to the health of Tiangong's astronauts, but given its cousin's ability to cause sepsis in immunocompromised patients and its newfound ability to break down gelatin, the potential for health problems from this and other space microbes is a serious issue. With eyes on launching missions to the Moon and beyond, it's never been more important to know how the tiny passengers sharing our space may be suited to a life far from home. This research was published in the International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology. NASA Mission Captures Eerie New View of The Moon And Sun Mysteriously Perfect Sphere Spotted in Space by Astronomers The Most Violent Solar Storm Ever Detected Hit Earth in 12350 BCE
Time of India
19-05-2025
- Science
- Time of India
China finds alien-like microbes with super survival skills at Tiangong space station
Image: iStock In a discovery that sounds straight out of a sci-fi movie, Chinese scientists have identified a previously unknown bacterial strain aboard the Tiangong Space Station . Named Niallia tiangongensis, the microbe was isolated during the Shenzhou-15 mission in May 2023 and appears to thrive in conditions most life forms would find unbearable. This microbe's ability to endure extreme space stressors has amazed researchers and may hold the key to better understanding life in space. The findings raise intriguing questions about microbial resilience and offer potential applications ranging from astronaut health to waste recycling on Earth. How the microbe survives where others fail Life in space is no picnic. With constant radiation, microgravity, and oxidative stress, even the hardiest Earth microbes struggle to stay functional. Not so for Niallia tiangongensis. Scientists observed that this space-dwelling bacterium has heightened defenses against oxidative damage, allowing it to repair cellular harm more efficiently. This resilience suggests it has evolved or adapted mechanisms that could inform future medical and biological technologies aimed at protecting astronauts during prolonged exposure to space conditions. A microbial first for the Chinese space station Niallia tiangongensis marks the first unique microbial discovery from within China's Tiangong Space Station. Found inside a crew cabin, this bacterial strain adds to a growing body of knowledge about how microorganisms behave in closed, artificial environments like spacecraft. Its detection is part of the China Space Station Habitation Area Microbiome Programme (Champ), which monitors microbial life to ensure crew safety and support long-term missions. What it means for astronaut health and spacecraft safety While microbes in space might sound like harmless hitchhikers, they can pose real risks to both astronaut health and equipment. Bacteria can affect air quality, degrade spacecraft materials, and contaminate sensitive systems. By understanding how Niallia tiangongensis behaves and survives in space, scientists can better anticipate microbial threats, develop sterilization techniques, and design improved environmental controls for future missions. This could be crucial for long-duration flights, such as missions to Mars or lunar bases. A microscopic tool for planetary problems Beyond its implications for spaceflight, Niallia tiangongensis may offer valuable tools for life on Earth. The bacterium has shown potential for breaking down organic compounds, making it a candidate for sustainable waste recycling. These traits could be harnessed in agriculture, medicine, or industrial applications where controlling or utilizing microbial activity is essential. What began as a routine check on microbial levels aboard a space station might ultimately lead to more efficient, eco-friendly solutions here on Earth. A floating lab with far-reaching potential Tiangong continues to act as more than just a space habitat; it is now proving to be a cutting-edge laboratory for exploring biology beyond Earth. Microbes like Niallia tiangongensis demonstrate the untapped potential of space environments to inspire innovations in biotechnology, sustainability, and health. As research progresses, the knowledge gained from these tiny astronauts could have an outsized impact on how we explore space and care for our planet.
