NASA, Sends Thousands
of Worms Into Space .
The BBC reports that thousands
of worms were launched into
space on June 3 as part of a
research mission on muscle loss.
The research hopes to shed light
on developing new treatments
for muscular dystrophies, .
a group of inherited genetic
conditions that gradually cause
the muscles to deteriorate.
Researchers from the Universities of Nottingham
and Exeter pointed out that the effect of space
flight on humans has long been a concern.
as astronauts can lose up to 40% of their muscle after just six months in orbit.
This mission follows a previous one carried out by the same team in 2018.
According to the BBC, the
new experiments will aim to
identify the precise molecules
that cause muscle loss... .
... and also test out new
therapies to prevent muscle
degeneration in zero-gravity.
It is astonishing to think that
sending worms into space could
improve our health and help us
lead longer lives, and I am
thrilled that UK researchers
are leading this effort, Amanda Solloway, Science minister (UK),
via BBC