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Astronaut Scott Kelly entered history in 2016 by becoming the first American to spend 12 consecutive months in space after an epic 340 days on the International Space Station.
During her stay in orbit, Kelly also participated in an innovative study involving her twin brother and astrologer Mark, back on Earth. The brothers provided blood, saliva, and urine samples, underwent ultrasound scans and bone scans, were vaccinated against influenza, and more in the name of science.
NASA published the results of the study, which involved 10 research teams, in the journal Science.
ASTRONAUT SCOTT KELLY: MY AMAZING YEAR IN SPACE AND THE "CRAZY RIDE" BACK TO EARTH
The strangest discovery probably concerns telomeres, which are the protective ends of chromosomes. As we get older, these tips gradually shorten and are thought to be related to age-related diseases, including some cancers.
Photo of archive – Scott Kelly (left) spent a year in space while his identical twin, Mark (right), remained on Earth as a witness subject.
(NASA)
In the space, however, Scott Kelly's telomeres have become longer. "We were surprised," said Susan Bailey, a telomere expert at Colorado State University. She can not explain it well that does not mean that Kelly has become younger. Back on Earth, his telomeres have generally returned to the mean before the flight although he has had more short telomeres than before.
In a statement, NASA explained that since telomeres are important for the stability of cellular genomics, new studies are planned for future one-year missions.
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In another discovery, scientists have noted that although Kelly's DNA has not mutated in space, the activity of many of its genes – their mode of life. 39, activation and deactivation – has changed, especially during the last part of the trip, which ended in March 2016.
In this archival photo from March 4, 2016, NASA astronaut Scott Kelly, left, and his identical twin, Mark, are standing in front of a press conference in Houston.
(AP Photo / Pat Sullivan, File)
"In space, researchers have observed changes in Scott's gene expression, and most of them have returned to normal after six months on Earth," NASA said in a statement. "However, a small percentage of genes related to the immune system and DNA repair did not return to the baseline after returning to Earth."
Scientists have also identified key genes that can be targeted to monitor the health of future astronauts.
SCOTT KELLY: A YEAR IN SPACE OPENS NEW MISSIONS
Crucially, the researchers found that a flu shot given to Scott in the space worked in the same way as that administered to Mark on Earth, which discovery could prove crucial for long journeys in l & # 39; space. "A fully functioning immune system during long-duration space missions is essential to protect the health of astronauts from opportunistic microbes in the spacecraft environment," NASA said.
REPORT – On Wednesday, March 2, 2016, the photo of the file provided by NASA, Scott Kelly, member of the International Space Station (ISS) team, reacts after landing near the city of Dzhezkazgan, Kazakhstan.
(Bill Ingalls / NASA via AP, File)
NASA's goal is to send a human mission to Mars by 2035, which will spur further research before an epic round-trip trip that could take two and a half years.
Radiation also represents a major challenge for Mars missions, as well as the durability of astronaut bodies and minds.
ASTRONAUT SCOTT KELLY WAS 2 INCHES SOLD AFTER HIS EPIC YEAR IN SPACE
According to the NASA study, Scott Kelly experienced chromosomal instability during his year in the orbiting space laboratory, which could reflect exposure to radiation in space. He also performed better on cognitive tests in space, but slowed down after his return, perhaps as more things competed for his attention.
US astronaut Scott Kelly, right, member of the mission crew to the International Space Station (ISS), poses in front of a safety glass with his brother, Mark Kelly, after a conference of press in the Baikonur cosmodrome rented by Russia (Kazakhstan), Thursday, March 26, 2015.
(Photo AP / Dmitry Lovetsky)
Similar to nearly 40% of all astronauts, the former US Navy pilot has undergone changes in the structure of his eye and a thickening of his retina in space, which could be symptoms of the "neurological syndrome". ocular associated with spaceflight ". Changes can be the result of fluid changes in the absence of gravity, the scientists explain.
In addition, like other astronauts, Kelly experienced a temporary gain in height in space.
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Scott Kelly described his historic year in space during an interview with Fox News last year. "I was surprised at the length of a year. It's really very long, "he said.
Scott Kelly's archival photo at an exit in space
(NASA)
"It's a crazy race to come back to Earth in a capsule," Scott said. "It's like the craziest race you'll ever have in your life – it's like going over Niagara Falls in a barrel, but while you're on fire. As soon as you realize you will not die … [it’s] the most fun you will have in your life. "
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Kelly retired from NASA in 2016 after returning from the ISS.
Associated Press contributed to this article. Follow James Rogers on Twitter @jamesjrogers
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