Space station experiment could suggest a cure for aging – BGR



[ad_1]

Like all other living creatures on the planet, our bodies are slaves to the endless march of time. We can not do anything to stop it – at least not yet – and we will eventually collapse, like everything we have been presented. But what if we did not do it? And if scientists could slow down, or even prevent cell deterioration that leads us to aging?

A new experience aboard the International Space Station could be the first tiny step towards such a discovery. ESA will study the possibility of using artificial nanoparticles in the fight against free radicals, which are known to be one of the major contributors to cell and DNA damage in the course of life.

Aging is a problem we all face, but it is still not well understood from a scientific point of view. Over time, our body is degraded and some of the damage to our cells and DNA is linked to end-of-life diseases that affect the heart and the nervous system. It is thought that the accumulation of cellular damage over time is one of the main causes of aging. If we could avoid it, we would all have a much better chance of living longer.

Free radicals are dishonest molecules with unpaired electrons that can damage other molecules by stealing electrons. This is called oxidative stress, and if your body's chemistry is not balanced with antioxidants, it can cause serious problems. Managing the spread of free radicals could contribute to overall health and longevity, and ESA will test the ability of nanoparticles to absorb these atoms, reducing the damage they can cause over time. .

For ESA and future travelers in the space of all nations, the most urgent concern is to ensure health during long-haul space flights. The main goal of the experiment is to determine if such particles could help maintain the health of astronauts on long space travels, such as to Mars or beyond.

The results of the experiment, conducted in a large "incubator" filled with samples that will be frozen for further travel on Earth, could inform future space mission projects, and perhaps even give us a clue. . how to slow down aging in our country

Image Source: Shutterstock

[ad_2]

Source link