...sadly, the effects of cosmic rays are not superpowers and spandex tights:
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| Comic Book Movie dot com |
For the future of manned spaceflight, we have yet another problem to solve...
Senior author of the study, Professor Kerry O'Banion from the University of Rochester Medical Centre (URMC) Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy said: 'Galactic cosmic radiation poses a significant threat to future astronauts.
'The possibility that radiation exposure in space may give rise to health problems such as cancer has long been recognised.
'However, this study shows for the first time that exposure to radiation levels equivalent to a mission to Mars could produce cognitive problems and speed up changes in the brain that are associated with Alzheimer's disease.'
Tests on mice with models of Alzheimer's showed that after they were exposed to various doses of radiation, including levels comparable to what astronauts would be experience during a mission to Mars, they were far more likely to fail these tasks - suggesting neurological impairment - earlier than these symptoms would typically appear.
The brains of the mice also showed signs of vascular alterations and a greater than normal accumulation the protein 'plaque' that accumulates in the brain and is one of the hallmarks of the disease.
'These findings clearly suggest that exposure to radiation in space has the potential to accelerate the development of Alzheimer's disease,' said Professor O'Banion.
Daily Mail:
Space travel under threat as scientists find cosmic radiation could cause Alzheimer's in astronauts
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