REAL LIFE NEWS: SEE, I TOLD YOU SPACE TRAVEL WAS GOOD FOR YOU!
by Hazed
We hear a lot about the hazards of space travel, particularly long trips: zero-gravity causes loss of bone density and cosmic radiation does all sorts of nasty things to name just two of the potential problems.
Now it turns out that there could be a benefit: spaceflight could slow the ageing process.
At least, it could if you are a worm...
Microscopic worms sent up the International Space Station were compared with a developmentally-matched set that remained on Earth, and scientists discovered that the space worms had an increased lifespan and had lower levels of aging proteins in their bodies.
It seems that the low gravity environment turned off certain genes associated with aging, so that particular toxins and proteins created by those genes were not produced. As a result, the muscles stayed healthier for longer.
Interesting results, although of course there’s no guarantee the same effect would be seen in humans!
Source: http://www.theregister.co.uk/2012/07/09/space_worms_live_longer/
