Astrophysical ionizing radiation events have been recognized as a potential threat to life on Earth, primarily through depletion of stratospheric ozone and subsequent increase in surface-level solar ultraviolet radiation. Simulations […]
Radiation
Posted inRadiation
Gamma Ray Bursts and Life Extinction in the Universe
As a copious source of gamma-rays, a nearby Galactic Gamma-Ray Burst (GRB) can be a threat to life. Using recent determinations of the rate of GRBs, their luminosity function and […]
Posted inAstrochemistry, Radiation
Radiolysis of Amino Acids by Heavy and Energetic Cosmic Ray Analogs in Simulated Space Environments
In this work, we studied the stability of the glycine molecule in the crystalline zwitterion form, known as {alpha}-glycine (+ NH3 CH2 COO− ) under action of heavy cosmic ray […]
Posted inMissions & Hardware, Radiation
New Class of Biological Detectors for WIMPs
Weakly Interacting Massive Particles (WIMPs) may constitute a large fraction of the matter in the Universe. There are excess events in the data of DAMA/LIBRA, CoGeNT, CRESST-II, and recently CDMS-Si, […]
Posted inExtremeophiles and Extreme Environments, Genomics, Proteomics, Bioinformatics, Radiation
How Do Tardigrades Survive Environmental Extremes?
If you have been watching the new series “Cosmos” recently then you have see Tardigrades or “water bears” featured. These creatures are remarkably resistant to a wide range of conditions […]
Posted inGenomics, Proteomics, Bioinformatics, Microbiology & Virology, Radiation
Understanding How Life Resists Radiation Damage
Capitalizing on the ability of an organism to evolve in response to punishment from a hostile environment, scientists have coaxed the model bacterium Escherichia coli to dramatically resist ionizing radiation […]
Posted inHabitable Zones, Radiation
The Possible Effect of Cosmic Rays on Terrestrial Climate
The problem of the contribution of cosmic rays to climate change is a continuing one and one of importance. In principle, at least, the recent results from the CLOUD project […]
Posted inAstrobiology (general), Icy Worlds, Mars, Origin & Evolution of Life, Planetary Protection & Biosafety, Radiation
Comparative Survival Analysis of D. radiodurans and the Haloarchaea N. magadii and H. volcanii Exposed to Vacuum Ultraviolet Irradiation
Comparative Survival Analysis of Deinococcus Radiodurans and the Haloarchaea Natrialba Magadii and Haloferax Volcanii, Exposed to Vacuum Ultraviolet Irradiation Ximena C. Abrevaya, Ivan G. Paulino-Lima, Douglas Galante, Fabio Rodrigues, Pablo […]
Posted inRadiation
NASA Research Announcement "Ground-Based Studies in Space Radiobiology"
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center (JSC) has released NASA Research Announcement (NRA) NNJ11ZSA001N, entitled “Ground-Based Studies in Space Radiobiology.” This NRA solicits ground-based […]
Posted inMissions & Hardware, Moon, Press Release, Radiation
NASA Solicitation: Exploration Systems Mission: Radiation Standards for Lunar Sortie Missions
NASA/HQ is hereby soliciting information about potential sources to provide support for study and report on radiation standards for lunar sortie missions. This will consist of an Ad Hoc committee […]