Oh Jeez! Isn’t this the way a couple of space-based sci-fi movies have started?
New strain of bacteria found on China’s Tiangong space station
The microbe developed in a cabin and its discovery could have important implications for the future of space travel
By Dannie Peng, South China Morning Post - May 17, 2025
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3310769/new-strain-bacteria-found-chinas-tiangong-space-station
Chinese scientists have discovered a new microbe that developed on board the county’s Tiangong space station, according to a new study. The strain, officially named niallia tiangongensis, is a new variant of a previously known terrestrial bacteria and was found on a cabin in the space station.
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The authors added that this new strain had ingenious mechanisms for adapting to the extreme space environment – a discovery that could have many real-life implications. For instance, the strain had a better ability to combat oxidative stress – a condition that leads to cell and tissue damage due to an imbalance in the body – and reverse radiation-induced damage, according to the study.
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The survival of microorganisms in space stations depends upon factors such as the interplay of complex conditions such as microgravity, radiation and confinement. However, they are not easily killed because they are widely known for their strength, resilience and ability to adapt to their environment.