A recent study published by the US Space Agency (NASA) discovered that astronaut genes Scott Kelly are no longer identical to the twin brother Mark, due to his permanence in the International Space Station (ISS) for one year (from March 2015 to March 2016). 6f1561
The effects of spending so much time in space 5ek6j
The results of the study involving more than 200 scientists in 30 US states found that 7% Kelly's genes no longer match those of her brother, who, although he's also an astronaut (already retired), hasn't spent as much time in zero gravity. In fact, no one had as much with zero gravity as Scott Kelly. In all, he has spent more than 500 days in space, 342 of which uninterrupted.
During his time in space, NASA monitored Scott Kelly's metabolism to see how space affects his biological system. Although the biological changes that the astronaut experienced during his stay on the ISS returned to their normal values when he returned to Earth, his genetic makeup was permanently modified, so he is no longer genetically identical to his brother Mark!
In a statement, NASA said that the “Twin Study” (Twin Study) was beneficial in providing the first genomics application in assessing potential risks to the human body in space.
Telomeres (ends of chromosomes that shorten with age) were significantly lengthened by Scott Kelly's extended stay in space. Although these results were announced in 2017, it is only now possible to reach a conclusion based on multiple genetic studies.
According to NASA these rangefinders were shortened two days after Scott returned to Earth.
The researchers now know that 93% of Scott's genes returned to normal after landing. Ten research teams analyzed various proteins and the cognitive ability of the Kelly twins.
Permanent changes in Scott's DNA (7%) appear to have occurred in genes that control functions related to his immune system, such as bone formation, DNA repair, or responding to an oxygen- or carbon-dioxide-laden environment.
Other curious effects of Scott's so long stay on the space station were also revealed. For example, that the two inches Scott grew in space was a temporary effect of microgravity: the stretched spine.
His gene expression also changed Scott's DNA methylation levels (a process that turns genes on or off) rose or fell, depending on the gene, indicating that our genetics are sensitive to environmental changes. His gut flora has also changed compared to his brother, likely due to the change in diet and environment.
NASA claims that the six-month to one-year period on the International Space Station (ISS) mission did not produce significant decreases in the astronaut's cognitive performance during flight and relative to the twin.
NASA has plans to send its first mission to Mars in 2030, and with the study of the Kelly twins, the space agency has taken another step towards its goal. Astronauts usually spend six months in space, but a mission to Mars will take three years, thanks to Scott and Mark it was possible to begin to understand the effects of such a long trip.
