The International Space Station (|SS) has low microbial diversity, which could lead to astronaut health issues, according to a study published in Cell.

Researchers found that the microbial communities resemble those found in sanitized environments like hospitals rather than natural settings.

Co-senior study author Pieter Dorrestein explains that increasing microbial exposure could improve astronaut health during long-term space travel.

The study suggests incorporating natural elements, like soil, into the ISS to enhance microbial diversity and astronaut well-being.

The study in question:

https://www.cell.com/cell/fulltext/S0092-8674(25)00108-4

you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments

[–] surph_ninja@lemmy.world 0 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago)

I haven’t, but I’ll put it on my wishlist. Thanks!

Yeah, I knew I was gonna get downvoted for it. I get it. I am also enamored with human space flight, and it’s why I’m such a massive sci-fi fan. It’s such a romantic notion. I feel no joy in accepting that humanity isn’t meant for the stars.

But Neanderthals weren’t meant to colonize the earth. Sometimes the species needs to leap forward to meet new challenges.