[Extremophiles] Understanding the coordinated regulation of gene expression in response to environmental challenges is critical for unravelling the resistance strategies of the extremophiles that endure extreme habitats.
Radiation
Posted inBiochemistry & Organic Chemistry
Unraveling The Building Blocks Of Earth’s Pigments
[Ohio State] Although they are some of the most widespread substances on Earth, not much is known about eumelanin, or natural organic matter (NOM) — a dark-colored substance formed by […]
Posted inInterstellar
New Horizons Extends Key Observations Of Interstellar Material Slowing The Solar Wind
[SwRI] A new Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) study based on data from NASA’s New Horizons spacecraft has uncovered fascinating insights into why the solar wind gradually slows as it moves […]
Posted inExtremeophiles and Extreme Environments, Habitable Zones, Microbiology & Virology, Radiation, Space Life Science, Status Report, Tardigrades
Tardigrades As An Emerging Model Animal For Astrobiology Research: A Case Study
Tardigrades are extraordinarily resilient creatures, capable of withstanding radiation, extreme dehydration, temperature fluctuations, and even the vacuum of space, which makes them exemplary models for studying the viability of life […]
Posted inAtmospheres, Climate, Weather, Magnetic Fields, Electromagnetism, bioelectricity,, Mars, Press Release, Radiation, Space Weather & Heliophysics
A Surprising Phenomenon Found In NASA Data From Mars
Data beamed back from Mars by the NASA spacecraft MAVEN provides the first evidence that a phenomenon protecting planets from solar winds can occur in the atmospheres of worlds that […]
Posted inBiosignatures & Paleobiology, Commercial & Private Sector, Cubesats and smallsats, Microbiology & Virology, Microgravity, Missions & Hardware, Nanotechnology & SynBio, Radiation, Space Life Science, Status Report
Development and Demonstration of a Modular Astrobiological Experiments (MAEx) Payload for Autonomous Biological Monitoring in Low Earth Orbit (LEO)
The spaceflight environment presents unique physicochemical conditions, including microgravity, ionizing radiation, altered fluid transport, and confined engineered habitats, which influence biological systems and biomolecular assembly processes.
Posted inAstronomy & Telescopes, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Gaia - Planetary Perspectives, Habitable Zones, Radiation, Space Weather & Heliophysics, Status Report
Exploring Space Weather From Young Solar-like Stars as Windows to Exoplanetary Habitability
Young solar-like stars are efficient generators of magnetic activity, superflares, coronal mass ejections (CMEs), and stellar energetic particles. These phenomena drive the early evolution of stars and shape the habitability […]
Posted inAlpha Centauri, Astronomy & Telescopes, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Proxima Centauri, Radiation, Space Weather & Heliophysics, Status Report
Star-planet Interaction In The Proxima System
(Abridged) We search for evidence of star-planet magnetic interactions in the nearby Proxima Centauri planetary system using high-quality, high-spectral-resolution optical observations.
Posted inBiophysics, Extremeophiles and Extreme Environments, Genomics, Proteomics, Bioinformatics, Habitable Zones, Microbiology & Virology, Microgravity, Origin & Evolution of Life, Panspermia, Planetary Protection & Biosafety, Press Release, Radiation, Space Life Science
Radiation-Resistant Microbes: Pioneers for Life Beyond Earth
Radiation is one of the most pervasive environmental stressors that has profoundly influenced microbial evolution, driving the development of intricate survival strategies in extreme environments.
Posted inAnalog Studies, Arctic / Antarctic / Alpine, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Cryobiology, Desert Worlds, Extremeophiles and Extreme Environments, Genomics, Proteomics, Bioinformatics, Gravitational Biology, Microgravity, Panspermia, Radiation, Sample Return, Space Life Science, Status Report
Antarctic Microbe Survival Tests Aboard The International Space Station
An international team is sending microbes from Antarctica and Chile to the International Space Station (ISS) to study how they withstand radiation and other spaceflight stressors.