Latest news with #Shenzhou15
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Scientists Find New Space-Adapted Bacteria Aboard Tiangong Space Station
Scientists have identified a new type of bacteria capable of withstanding harsh space conditions. The bacteria, retrieved from samples obtained during the Shenzhou 15 crewed mission, appear to have survived several months aboard China's Tiangong space station in 2022 and 2023. Researchers aboard the Tiangong space station and the International Space Station (ISS) regularly test their orbital quarters for bacteria. While bacteria are bound to be present anywhere humans hang out, it's a good idea to capture snapshots of a microbial community at a given time: Astronauts get to find out which bacteria might go to battle with their weakened immune systems, and planetary scientists get to monitor how contaminants might reach a separate space body if a crew isn't careful. It's a procedure that benefits virtually everyone involved in space exploration. NASA astronaut Scott Kelly collects microbial samples aboard the ISS. Credit: NASA The microbes found in these samples are often a known quantity. But every now and then, a new species of bacteria enters the scientific canon. Such is the case with Tiangong, which housed Niallia tiangongensis: a Gram-positive, rod-shaped bacteria that hangs out in the air. The new bacteria is detailed in a peer-reviewed paper for the International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Biology. According to the researchers, who analyzed the samples after Shenzhou 15 returned to Earth in June 2023, N. tiangongensis (also known as strain JL1B1071T) is spore-forming. This survival mechanism allows a bacterium to become dormant in harsh environmental conditions; once it returns to a "friendlier" environment, the spore can germinate back into an active cell. N. tiangongensis might also be capable of "biofilm formation, oxidative stress response, and radiation damage repair, thereby aiding its survival in the space environment," the researchers note. This is the first time a new type of bacteria has been found on Tiangong, but other spacecraft are no stranger to novel microbes. Last year, scientists announced the discovery of a multi-drug resistant bacteria aboard the ISS, where the bacteria (Enterobacter bugandensis) was actively mutating to become "functionally distinct" from its former self. Researchers at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory and its institutional partners also found 26 novel bacteria species in NASA's clean rooms—ultra-sterile environments aimed at preventing the transport of Earth bacteria to space—earlier this month.
Express Tribune
23-05-2025
- Science
- Express Tribune
Is the new bacteria aboard China's Tiangong space station a future threat?
Scientists have identified a new strain of bacteria, Niallia tiangongensis, aboard China's Tiangong space station, which is showing signs of evolution in space. This bacteria was collected during the Shenzhou 15 crewed mission in 2023, and researchers were quick to note its unique ability to adapt to the harsh conditions of space. Unlike typical Earth-bound microbes, Niallia tiangongensis thrives in the extreme environment of low Earth orbit. Its resistance to radiation is far beyond that of most terrestrial bacteria, and its ability to form biofilms a protective layer helps it survive not just in space's vacuum, but against harmful UV radiation. This biofilm-forming characteristic may also protect it from being eradicated by disinfectants or cleaning methods, making it an even more formidable presence aboard spacecraft. While Niallia tiangongensis has not shown any immediate harmful effects on astronauts, scientists fear the bacteria could evolve in unpredictable ways. With space missions pushing further into deep space, the long-term effects of such microbes could pose grave risks. Over time, this bacteria could adapt further, potentially mutating into a more aggressive form, one capable of infecting astronauts or damaging vital spacecraft materials. The possibility that this bacteria might evolve into a spaceborne pathogen is not far-fetched. The long-term isolation of space, combined with radiation, zero-gravity, and other extreme factors, could create the perfect conditions for bacterial mutations. The resilience shown by Niallia tiangongensis raises concerns that other microbes aboard space stations may be evolving in similar ways, unknowingly preparing to wreak havoc on human health or technology in future missions. 'What we are seeing is the bacteria's ability to thrive in an environment completely alien to life on Earth,' said Dr. Chen Liyu, a microbiologist at the China National Space Administration (CNSA). Researchers are working on sequencing the bacteria's genome to understand its evolution better, but there's a looming question: Could this new strain be the tip of the iceberg? As we prepare for missions to the Moon and Mars, the survival of microorganisms like Niallia tiangongensis could have serious implications. If these microbes are capable of adapting in ways we can't yet predict, humanity might be facing a microbial threat that could evolve alongside us, far beyond our current understanding. This discovery underscores the need for tighter microbial monitoring and prevention protocols as we venture deeper into space. As Niallia tiangongensis continues to evolve, it may not just be the health of astronauts at risk—but the future of human space exploration itself.
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Business Standard
22-05-2025
- Science
- Business Standard
Chinese scientists discover mysterious bacteria on Tiangong space station
On board the Tiangong space station, Chinese researchers have identified a new kind of bacteria. The new microbe strain, officially known as Niallia tiangongensis, was discovered in microbial samples taken from the surfaces of the Tiangong during the Shenzhou 15 crewed mission, which returned to Earth in June 2023, according to a paper published in the International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology. According to descriptions, the new microorganism is a rod-shaped, aerobic bacterium that forms spores. On board Tiangong, a three-module space station in low Earth orbit, a new microbial species has been found for the first time. Chinese researchers found mysterious bacteria: About the Mutations According to the study, the bacteria is identical to the terrestrial species Niallia circulans. However, scientists found that the space strain had important genetic differences. The mutations can help scientists understand the evolution of bacteria beyond Earth. The bacterium exhibits a unique ability to break down gelatine, a trait that could support microbial life in nutrient-poor or extreme environments. Two proteins in Niallia tiangongensis experienced structural and functional changes, according to the study. These changes may improve the bacterium's ability to form biofilms, respond to oxidative stress, and repair radiation damage. Chinese found mysterious bacteria: Is it helpful in future? According to scientists, this research suggests how bacteria survive in space. It is currently unknown if astronauts' health might be at risk due to this new strain. However, research into these microbes is essential for both mission security and space sanitation. By monitoring microbiological life on spacecraft, unintended contamination is avoided. The discovery of new microbes in space is not unprecedented. The strains of new bacteria had also been identified from the International Space Station (ISS), which the scientists say would be helpful in growing crops on Mars. According to a recent study, 26 new bacterial strains were found in NASA clean rooms, which are among the world's most sterile settings.
Daily Mail
22-05-2025
- Science
- Daily Mail
Scientists discover an unknown bacteria that has never been seen on Earth inside China's space station
The search for life in space has led astronomers to look everywhere from the surface of Mars to the atmospheres of the most distant exoplanets. Now, scientists have discovered unknown bacteria that have never been seen on Earth - living inside a cabin on China 's Tiangong space station. The bacteria, named Niallia tiangongensis after the station, are a relative of a soil-dwelling bacterium from Earth. However, the researchers found that this unique bacteria has evolved special adaptations that help it survive in space. This includes specialized genes which help repair damage caused by the intense radiation found beyond Earth's atmosphere. Most surprisingly, the scientists found that the bacteria have evolved the ability to eat gelatin in order to create a tough protective 'biofilm'. While its closest relative on Earth is known to cause sepsis, it has not yet been determined whether Niallia tiangongensis poses a threat to humans. The researchers say that understanding the abilities of new space-faring bacteria is 'essential for safeguarding the health of astronauts'. The new species was found in samples taken from the station in 2023 by members of the Shenzhou-15 mission. The crew swabbed the walls of the station with sterile tissues, which were then frozen and sent back to Earth for analysis. When scientists analyzed these samples, they found a type of bacteria which was similar to the common soil-dwelling species Niallia circulans. Niallia circulans is a rod-shaped bacteria which spreads itself by dispersing spores and is commonly found in the ground, sewage, and in food. In immunocompromised patients, Niallia circulans can cause sepsis - a life-threatening condition caused by the body reacting improperly to a bacterial infection. Just like its earthly cousin, Niallia tiangongensis also propagates by spreading spores, which can survive extreme conditions. Niallia tiangongensis likely started as a small colony of Niallia circulans bacteria or spores, which slowly adapted to their new life in space after being taken onto the station. These adaptations help the bacteria survive in the nutrient-scarce space-station interior and resist the stresses of space. However, this is not the first time that humans have accidentally created new bacterial species by taking them into space. In April last year, NASA discovered 13 new strains of drug-resistant bacteria living on the International Space Station inside the air vents, exercise equipment, and toilets. Just like Niallia tiangongensis, the scientists believe these bacteria started out as species from Earth, which evolved over time after hitching a ride into space. Space agencies go to great lengths not to contaminate the controlled environments of space stations or other planets. But, as NASA is beginning to discover, it is almost impossible to prevent bacteria from getting a foothold in even the most sterile environment. NASA recently discovered that the 'clean rooms' used to prep the Phoenix Mars Lander were home to 53 strains of bacteria, including 26 previously unknown species. Bacteria are so ludicrously tough that the space agency has even launched a mission to swab the outside of the ISS to see if any germs might be surviving in the harsh vacuum of space. This is a pressing issue for the Chinese Space Agency and NASA since both organizations are currently attempting to establish permanent bases on the moon. Within the cramped confines of a remote space station, infections can spread rapidly between crew members. If novel, antibiotic-resistant bacteria develop inside the station, this could sweep through the crew and cause serious health risks. The overly sterile environment of a space station actually makes this risk worse by allowing a handful of hardy bacteria to thrive uninhibited. NASA recently found that an increase in rashes and cold sores experienced by astronauts on the ISS might actually be caused by the station being too clean. Without other bacteria competing for resources, germs from the astronauts' skin were thriving on the station walls and leading to more common infections. If nations are serious about keeping humans in space for good, they will need to find a way to manage and control the spread of these new bacterial species. Discovery of pulsars British astronomer Dame Jocelyn Bell Burnell was the first person to discover a pulsar in 1967 when she spotted a radio pulsar. Since then other types of pulsars that emit X-rays and gamma rays have also been spotted. Pulsars are essentially rotating, highly magnetised neutron stars but when they were first discovered it was believed they could have come from aliens. 'Wow!' radio signal In 1977, an astronomer looking for alien life in the night sky above Ohio spotted a radio signal so powerful that he excitedly wrote 'Wow!' next to his data. In 1977, an astronomer looking for alien life in the night sky above Ohio spotted a radio signal so powerful that he excitedly wrote 'Wow!' next to his data The 72-second blast, spotted by Dr Jerry Ehman through a radio telescope, came from Sagittarius but matched no known celestial object. Conspiracy theorists have since claimed that the 'Wow! signal', which was 30 times stronger than background radiation, was a message from intelligent extraterrestrials. Fossilised Martian microbes In 1996 Nasa and the White House made the explosive announcement that the rock contained traces of Martian bugs. The meteorite, catalogued as Allen Hills (ALH) 84001, crashed onto the frozen wastes of Antarctica 13,000 years ago and was recovered in 1984. Photographs were released showing elongated segmented objects that appeared strikingly lifelike. However, the excitement did not last long. Other scientists questioned whether the meteorite samples were contaminated. They also argued that heat generated when the rock was blasted into space may have created mineral structures that could be mistaken for microfossils. Behaviour of Tabby's Star in 2005 The star, otherwise known as KIC 8462852, is located 1,400 light years away and has baffled astronomers since being discovered in 2015. It dims at a much faster rate than other stars, which some experts have suggested is a sign of aliens harnessing the energy of a star. Recent studies have 'eliminated the possibility of an alien megastructure', and instead, suggests that a ring of dust could be causing the strange signals. Exoplanets in the Goldilocks zone in 2017 In February 2017 astronomers announced they had spotted a star system with planets that could support life just 39 light years away. Seven Earth-like planets were discovered orbiting nearby dwarf star 'Trappist-1', and all of them could have water at their surface, one of the key components of life. Three of the planets have such good conditions, that scientists say life may have already evolved on them. Researchers claim that they will know whether or not there is life on any of the planets within a decade, and said: 'This is just the beginning.'
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.
