Is It True That Germs More Dangerous in Space?

Some types of bacteria can cause disease in humans. But the danger of germs in humans was found to double in non-gravity conditions in space. The results of this latest research shows that bacteria terrible threat to the astronauts.

These findings are part of a research project that is being worked on the International Space Station, along with research to reduce the risk of germs in space. Research using micro gravity is used to uncover the secrets of microbes.

Sunlight glints off the International Space Station with the blue limb of Earth providing a dramatic backdrop in this photo taken by an astronaut on the shuttle Endeavour just before it docked after midnight on Feb. 10, 2010 during the STS-130 mission. (Picture from: http://www.livescience.com/)

"We are trying to uncover new cellular and molecular mechanisms associated with the development of an infectious disease that can not be observed on Earth," said Cheryl Nickerson, a microbiologist from Arizona State University's Biodesign Institute, on February 25, 2013.

The researchers found significantly reduced levels of gravity in space, even close to zero. Weightless conditions presents some abnormal effects on astronauts, such as reduced muscle mass and bone.

But the non-gravity situation is not only disrupt normal biological functions of the human body. In experiments on several NASA spacecraft flight, Nickerson and her colleagues found that the conditions inside the spacecraft actually encourage microbial virulence.

The research team focused on salmonella, bacteria that cause food-related illnesses. Aggressive bacteria has infected 94 million people worldwide and caused 155 thousand deaths per year. In the United States alone, more than 40 thousand cases of salmonellosis are reported each year, resulting in at least 500 deaths and health care costs of more than U.S. $50 million. "Micro Gravity proven to change behavior becomes more virulent salmonella," said Nickerson.

Behavior of salmonella has not been fully observed in laboratory experiments because influenced by Earth gravity. In space, gravity micro salmonella apparently led many genes that function to turn on and off more virulence observed by the researchers.

Nickerson said the findings are of particular concern to the health of astronauts during the mission extension in a spacecraft. Space travel also weaken the immune astronaut. "Plus having to deal with the threat of disease-causing microbes, which have improved the infectious ability," she said. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | LIVESCIENCE | MAHARDIKA SATRIA HADI | KORAN TEMPO  4155]
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