New Study Reveals How Space Travel Impairs Astronauts' Immune System
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A recent study conducted by researchers at Karolinska Institutet has examined the impact of weightlessness on T cells, a crucial component of the immune system. Published in the journal Science Advances, the study aimed to uncover why astronauts experience decreased T cell activity and effectiveness in fighting infections during space travel. By simulating weightlessness through a technique called dry immersion, the researchers discovered that T cells underwent significant changes in gene expression after 7 and 14 days of simulated weightlessness. This knowledge could contribute to developing strategies to counteract the negative effects of weightlessness on the immune system, ensuring the health and safety of astronauts during extended space missions.
