Mars astronauts risk brain damage from cosmic rays, say scientists
US researchers exposing mice to streams of high-energy particles similar to galactic cosmic rays discover damage to nervous system affecting cognition. Researchers in the US exposed mice to streams of high energy particles– similar to those found in galactic cosmic rays - and found they produced nervous system damage that caused the animals’ performance to plummet. This is not positive news for astronauts deployed on a two- to three-year round trip to Mars,” said Charles Limoli, a professor of radiation oncology at the University of California, Irvine. Researchers said on Friday long-term exposure to these rays that permeate space may cause dementia-like cognitive impairments in astronauts during any future return journey to Mars, expected to take at least 2½ years. In a NASA-funded study, mice exposed to highly energetic charged particles like those in galactic cosmic rays experienced declines in cognition and changes in the structure and integrity of brain nerve cells and the synapses where nerve impulses are sent and received. The irradiated particles in galactic cosmic rays, remnants of star explosions called supernovas, can penetrate spacecraft and astronauts' bodies. Earth itself is protected by its magnetosphere. University of California, more info: http://earthxzone.blogspot.in/2015/05/radiation-in-space-may-change.html
for more updates, just subscribe and get email alert's
earthXzone
we report..u decide
fallow us:
www.facebook.com/earthXzone
www.twitter.com/earthXzone
www.youtube.com/earthXzone
www.dailymotion.com/earthXzone
www.earthxzone.blogspot.com
www.earthXzone.com ©earthXzone
