[NASA] The abstract in PubMed or at the publisher’s site is linked when available and will open in a new window.

Papers deriving from NASA support:

  1. Kulkarni A, Tu E, Kolhatkar R, Claudio J, Reinsch S, Blaber EA.RNA-seq analysis of spaceflown mouse lungs reveals changes in circadian gene expression.Gravit Space Res. 2026 Jun;14(1):28-37.Note: ISS results. GeneLab is available at https://genelab.nasa.gov. This article may be obtained online without charge.

    Journal Impact Factor: 0.9

    Funding: A. Kulkarni, E. Tu, R. Kolhatkar, and J. Claudio are affiliated with NASA GeneLab for High Schools, Moffett Field. S. Reinsch is affiliated with Space Biosciences Division, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field.
  2. Bowman LC, Burns CJ, Elliott VE, Manicka S, Schaffer J, Connell RR, Thomas PK, Okulicz CJ, Smith J, Mraz A, Lau AG, Davis CM.Persistent cognitive impairment and bone health following helium ion exposure: Implications for space travel.npj Microgravity. 2026 Jul 15. Early access article.PIs: A.G. Lau, C.M. DavisNote: This article may be obtained online without charge.

    Journal Impact Factor: 5.1

    Funding: “…This work was supported by NASA grants 80NSSC22K0022 (CMD) and 80NSSC21K1506 (AGL), USUHS New Faculty Hiring Funds (CMD), and The College of New Jersey MUSE program (AGL), and the NJ Space Grant Consortium (AGL). …”
  3. McKaig J, Carr C.Validation of gentamicin and streptomycin stability for on-orbit microbial monitoring.Gravit Space Res. 2026 Jul;14(1):43-52.PI: C. CarrNote: From the abstract: “The Genomic Enumeration of Antibiotic Resistance in Space (GEARS) flight project seeks to characterize the frequency and genomic identity of antibiotic-resistant organisms on the ISS and expand in-space sequencing-based diagnostic capabilities. This project selects for antibiotic-resistant microbes on space station surfaces using agar plates containing antibiotics, which may require storing the plates for several months.” This article may be obtained online without charge.

    Journal Impact Factor: 0.9

    Funding: “This material is based upon work supported by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration under Grant No. 80NSSC21K0234 to C.E.C.”
  4. Gifford SE, Pohlen M, Wang AS, Lerner DJ, Wadhwa A, Cairnie M, Walter J, Karim KS, Tilley S 2nd, Karnick A, Rosenberg MA, Petersen LG.SpaceXray: Feasibility and diagnostic capabilities of on-orbit medical radiography.Radiology. 2026 Jul 14;320(1):e260258.Note: This article may be obtained online without charge.

    Journal Impact Factor: 17.6

    Funding: “The SpaceXray study received publishing and administrative support from the Mayo Clinic. The Fram2 mission on which the study was conducted received financial support from the Translational Research Institute for Space Health. This work was also supported by National Institutes of Health (NIH) NIGMS award T32GM144273(AW). The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the NIH or any affiliated institutions.”
  5. Soltez K, Schuerger AC, Bosch CV, Reed D, Logan S.The Conidia Application Device: Inoculation hardware to conduct plant pathology research in microgravity.Gravit Space Res. 2026 Jul;14(1):76-91.PI: A.C. SchuergerNote: This article may be obtained online without charge.

    Journal Impact Factor: 0.9

    Funding: “This work was supported by funding from the NASA Space Biology Office (#80NSSC22K0209). …”
  6. Stutte GW, Roberts MS.Piriformospora indica and Arabidopsis thaliana mutualism in modeled microgravity conditions: A model for plant-fungal interactions in spaceflight.Gravit Space Res. 2026 Jun;14(1):20-7.PI: G.W. StutteNote: A 2D clinostat was used in simulate microgravity. This article may be obtained online without charge.

    Journal Impact Factor: 0.9

    Funding: “This research was supported by NASA Grant NNX10AG93G.”
  7. Sheng Y, Kelton KF, Gangopadhyay AK.Enhanced nucleation kinetics due to stirring or slower cooling in Cu47Zr47Al6 from ground- and space-based experiments on the International Space Station.J Non-Cryst Solids. 2026 Oct 1;690:124277.PI: K.F. Kelton, A.K. GangopadhyayJournal Impact Factor: 3.6

    Funding: “… Work at Washington University was supported by NASA grant 80NSSC21K1649. …”

Other papers of interest:

  1. Onuoha P, Huang A, Diaz AKC, Smith MA-Y, Bliss M, Foley K, Copeland DS, Saavedra EA, Kraves S.Validation of a fluorescence-based method for the quantitative detection of specific nucleic acids aboard the ISS.Gravit Space Res. 2026 Jul;14(1):92-105.Note: ISS results. This article may be obtained online without charge.
  2. Li Y, Gao H, Xiong J, Wang N, Yuan Y, Wang L, Xu J, Huang W, Tan G, He X, Zhang QC, Zhang T, Kee K.Spaceflight multi-omics reveals vulnerabilities of human germ cell development.Sci Adv. 2026 Jul 17;12(29):eaee0143.Note: From the abstract: “Understanding the impact of spaceflight on human reproduction is critical for interplanetary exploration, yet technical barriers have limited direct studies of germ cell biology in orbit. Here, we utilized an automated bioreactor that supported long-term differentiation of human embryonic stem cells into human induced primordial germ cells (hiPGCs), human induced ovarian follicles (hiOFs), and human induced spermatogonial stem cells (hiSSCs)aboard spacecraft. Integrated real-time imaging, programmable medium perfusion, and in situ preservation enabled time-resolved multi- omics analysis. During missions on China’s Tianzhou-1 and Tianzhou-6 spacecraft, spaceflight reduced hiPGC specification efficiency by approximately 50% and suppressed hiSSC proliferation by 26%.” This article may be obtained online without charge.
  3. Liu Z, Wang E.Deep space exploration: Sleep and circadian rhythms in heart and brain function.Sleep Med Rev. 2026 Oct;89:102343. Review.Note: This article may be obtained online without charge.
  4. Liu Y, Zhang M, Zhang S, Yu Y, Wang Y, Li J, Liu Z, NIU Z, ZHOU P, Chen Z, Qiu J, Guo Y, Xi Q.Prospects for the application of acupuncture in the prevention and treatment of gastrointestinal dysfunction in long-duration space mission crew.Space Med Med Eng. 2026 (2). Chinese.
  5. Liu Z, Li W, Yan Z, Li Z, Wu Z, Wang H, Kong X, Yu Z, Wang L, Huang L, Yao J, Dai X.Lower-limb gait analysis based on a simulated microgravity platform.Space Med Med Eng. 2026 (2). Chinese.
  6. Shirin MT, Yamada T, Kondoh D, Bochimoto H, Kato K.Simulated microgravity reprograms host cell architecture and mitochondrial function, altering Toxoplasma gondii growth.FASEB Bioadv. 2026 Jul;8(7):e70136.Note: A 3D dual-axis clinostat was used in this study to simulate microgravity. This article may be obtained online without charge.
  7. Singh S, Chakraborty S, Shemer S.Skeletal muscle adaptation to microgravity: How altered mechanical cues drive catabolic signaling.EMBO Rep. 2026 Jul 21. Review.Note: This article may be obtained online without charge.
  8. Nadeem F, Misra S, Sharma I, Choudhari S, Yadav HM, Lathkar SS, Kar S, Motiwala ZY, Carbin DD.The future of surgery in space exploration.J Robot Surg. 2026 Jul 20;20:689. Review.
  9. Collicott SH, Lokhande M.Popcorn from suborbital spaceflight.Gravit Space Res. 2026 Jun;14(1):38-42.Note: From the abstract: “A successful popcorn experiment from a K-12 STEM engagement was flown to sub-orbital space and is described.” This article may be obtained online without charge.
  10. Ghani F, Cheung I, Phillips A, Thompson BR, Tawhai M, Ashworth E.A systematic review and meta-analysis of pulmonary function in microgravity.Gravit Space Res. 2026 Jul;14(1):53-75.Note: From the abstract: “Technological advancements have increased the number of human spaceflights, including the advent of space tourism and deep space travel. The structure and function of the pulmonary system are gravitationally dependent, highlighting the importance of understanding functional changes within the pulmonary system during transient and sustained microgravity exposure. This systematic review and meta-analysis provide an overview of effects of microgravity (0G) on various functional outcome measures of the human lungs relative to Earth gravity (1G).” This article may be obtained online without charge.
  11. Huang X, Zang P, Zhu J, Chen P, Chen J, Liu W, Zhao X, Liu K.Co-delivery of vitamin D and probiotics and their synergistic improvement of intestinal functions in simulated microgravity rats via zein/sodium caseinate-based microcapsules.Int J Biol Macromol. 2026 Jul 15;153575.Note: Hindlimb unloading study. This article may be obtained online without charge.
  12. Song G, Cho BK, Kim G, Lee H.Ground-based microgravity simulators for plant research: Principles and biological responses.npj Microgravity. 2026 Jul 14. Review. Early access article.Note: This article may be obtained online without charge.
  13. Stutte GW, Shinners A.Simulated microgravity reduces growth but preserves bone-relevant bioactivity of Medicago truncatula.Gravit Space Res. 2026 Jun;14(1):7-19.Note: GeneLab is available at https://genelab.nasa.gov. This article may be obtained online without charge.
  14. Su EY, Jones S, Tollitt BR, McArdle A, Larkin LM.Microgravity-induced muscle atrophy in rodent and human models.Free Radic Biol Med. 2026 Jul 15. Review. Online ahead of print.Note: This article may be obtained online without charge.
  15. Tu S, Liu Y, Y. L, Li J, Sa Y, Guo Y.Application and prospects of acupuncture in aerospace medicine.Space Med Med Eng. 2026 (2). Chinese.
  16. Zhai R, Gao J, Tian Y, Zhao L, Zhu L, Gu J, Hu M.Multiple organ injury in septic rats under weightlessness.Front Physiol. 2026 Jul 16;17:1849176.Note: This article may be obtained online without charge.
  17. Zheng Y, Li J, Yu Y, Wang W, Fan X, Sun L, Tang L.The gut-microbiota-brain axis mediates the neuroprotective effects of exercise against microgravity-induced cognitive impairment.Exp Neurol. 2026 Nov;115930.Note: Hindlimb unloading study. This article may be obtained online without charge.
  18. Gracheva MA, Manko OM, Kazakova AA, Vasilieva GY.SANS syndrome in ground-based experiments. Investigation of eye retina in 5-day female dry immersion.Hum Physiol. 2026 Jul 10;52(1):117-30.
  19. Jacob P, Vanet A, Feuerecker M, Strewe C, Heitland T, Dangoisse C, Possnig C, Jonczyk P, Ghislin S, Choukér A, Frippiat JP.Extreme environment provides clues about socio-environmental stressors contribution to ISS-induced changes in antibody repertoire.npj Microgravity. 2026 Jul 17. Early access article.Note: From the abstract: “Spaceflight-induced immune system dysregulation coupled with limited clinical care represents a risk for crew members. This study aimed to discern which stressor encountered during a space mission impact the antibody repertoire. Via next-generation sequencing, we analyzed the immunoglobulin heavy chain repertoire of volunteers wintering for a year in Antarctica at two stations, Neumayer III (sea level) and Concordia (altitude of 3233 m), which are recognized ground-based analogs of the space environment except for the gravity change and radiation.” This article may be obtained online without charge.
  20. Maillard T, Bresciani JP.Perceptual and sensorimotor adaptations to hypogravity: Implications for manual task performance and verticality perception.Front Psychol. 2026 Jun 11;17:1843289.Note: This article is part of Research Topic “Gravitational Influence on Human Cognition and Behavior: Emerging Research” (https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/66872/gravitational-influence-on-human-cognition-and-behavior-emerging-research/articles). The Research Topic also includes articles from previous Current Awareness Lists #1,186 https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2026.1713354, #1,187 https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1735072, #1,201 https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2026.1748118, and #1,206 Thttps://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2026.1769177. This article may be obtained online without charge.
  21. Salehi F, Dixit MK.Effects of visual-body axis misalignment on spatial ability under altered visuospatial conditions.Acta Astronaut. 2026 Jul 18. Online ahead of print.Note: From the abstract: “Spatial ability plays a critical role in performance within extreme operational environments, where individuals must navigate, manipulate objects, and maintain orientation under challenging spatial conditions. In environments such as spaceflight and underwater operations, the visual frame of reference can become misaligned with the body’s natural sense of orientation, contributing to spatial disorientation. Although this phenomenon has been widely recognized, its effects on different dimensions of spatial ability are still not fully understood. The present study investigated how static and dynamic misalignment between the visual frame of reference and the idiotropic axis influences spatial visualization, spatial relations, and spatial orientation.” This article may be obtained online without charge.
  22. Santos de Sousa I, Gégo G, Verseux C, Azevedo J, Magalhães C, Tamagnini P, Azevedo NF, Cortesão M.Aspergillus niger growth on upcycled cyanobacterial biomass, and Martian and lunar minerals.Acta Astronaut. 2026 Jul 18. Online ahead of print.Note: This article may be obtained online without charge.
  23. Ohira Y, Wakatsuki T, Ohira T, Kawano F, Goto K, Murakami M, Edgerton VR.Regulation of muscle properties by elevation of mitochondrial metabolism independent of changes in muscle contractility.Biol Sci Space. 2026;40:18-37.Note: This article may be obtained online without charge.
  24. Wang Z, Yang J, Tang H, Yue C, Yin Y, Li J.The auxin response factor PgARF19 directly activates PgFLP and PgPIN3 to regulate the GSA of adventitious roots in self-rooted pomegranate stocks.Plant Physiol Biochem. 2026 Jul 20;237:111567.Note: From the abstract: “Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) has abundant germplasm resources and strong adaptability, which has high ornamental value, good ecological and economic benefits, and high health care functions. The main production method of pomegranate industry in China is to build orchards with self-rooted stocks. However, the gravitropic setpoint angle (GSA) of self-rooted pomegranate stocks adventitious roots are relatively large, and its root system is shallow, resulting in poor stress resistance of pomegranate. Therefore, understanding the molecular basis of gravitropism in adventitious roots of self-rooted pomegranate stocks is crucial for breeding deep-rooted cultivars.” This article may be obtained online without charge.
  25. Witze A.Here’s what’s next for the Artemis II astronauts.Nature. 2026 Jul 22.

astrobiology, Microgravity, NASA, space biology, space medicine, spaceline,

Explorers Club Fellow, ex-NASA Space Station Payload manager/space biologist, Away Teams, Journalist, Lapsed climber, Synaesthete, Na’Vi-Jedi-Freman-Buddhist-mix, ASL, Devon Island and Everest Base Camp...

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