Latest news with #JuniaSchultz
Daily Mirror
18-07-2025
- Science
- Daily Mirror
NASA discovers 26 'unknown bacterial species' that can survive in space
NASA's Jet Propulsion have uncovered 26 bacterial species in ultra-clean environments (Image: AFP via Getty Images) Scientists from NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, working alongside Saudi Arabian and Indian researchers, have uncovered 26 previously undiscovered bacterial species flourishing in these ultra-clean environments. Cleanrooms are typically hostile to microbes and serve as the ultimate safeguard with strictly controlled air, temperature, and humidity levels. The discovery of these bacteria challenges our understanding of microbial toughness and hints at organisms that might endure the harsh realities of space. These microbes, dubbed extremophiles, boast genetic features including DNA repair capabilities and immunity to radiation and toxic substances. This suggests they could potentially survive interplanetary journeys and serve as valuable biological tools down the line, reports the Daily Star. The bacteria discovery challenges our understanding of microbial toughness (Image: Getty Images/Image Source) The research was spearheaded by scientists from the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) working with NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory and academic institutions throughout India and Saudi Arabia. Professor Alexandre Rosado, KAUST's lead researcher on the project, explained: "We were looking for extremophiles-organisms that can survive the kinds of extremes found in space. "And what we found were bacteria with the potential to not only hitchhike to Mars, but to help us engineer future medicines, preserve food, or clean up toxic waste right here on Earth." Junia Schultz, the study's primary author, noted these findings "raise critical questions for planetary protection," whilst also creating fresh opportunities. She remarked: "Imagine engineering these genes into beneficial microbes for medical use or food safety. Space, it turns out, might be an untapped reservoir for biotech innovation." Dr. Kasthuri Venkateswaran, a senior NASA scientist and co-author of the study, commented: "These tiny organisms could one day help us terraform other planets, cure diseases, or simply understand how life began and thrives in the most unexpected places." The research is also crucial for NASA to predict the types of bacteria astronauts may encounter on space missions and to devise ways to combat microbial contamination in sterile environments. Cleanrooms serve as the ultimate safeguard with strictly controlled air and temperature (Image: Bloomberg via Getty Images) The Daily Star previously highlighted that the quest for extraterrestrial life has spanned from lunar explorations to the farthest corners of deep space. Yet, aliens have seemingly been hiding in plain sight, squatting inside China's Tiangong space station, a mere 280 miles above Earth. A new type of bacteria, dubbed Niallia tiangongensis in tribute to their artificial abode, was discovered residing within a cabin on the orbiting station. Scientists are astounded as these microscopic beings have NEVER been observed on our planet before. Although related to a terrestrial soil bacterium, these space-dwelling variants have developed unique adaptations enabling them to survive the harsh conditions of space.
Time of India
25-05-2025
- Science
- Time of India
NASA acidentally discovers super bacteria that could survive on Mars
In a surprising discovery, NASA scientists found 26 new bacterial species in a JPL clean room, raising concerns about planetary contamination. These resilient microbes, resistant to radiation and toxins, evolved despite rigorous sterilization. While posing a threat to space missions, their unique survival traits could lead to advancements in medicine, food preservation, and biotechnology. According to the study, published in journal Microbiome, the microbes evolved to resist the clean room's repeated sterilization efforts. They boast powerful DNA repair systems, fast metabolism, and the ability to neutralize toxins. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Bacteria Built for the Impossible Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads More Than a Space Threat: Earthly Benefits Too Stronger antibiotics or extreme-condition medicines Better food preservation methods without synthetic additives Innovative materials for use in biotechnology and manufacturing Could They Survive on Mars? In an unexpected twist, NASA scientists have discovered 26 previously unknown species of bacteria—right inside one of the cleanest places on Earth. The find, made at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), reveals that some microbes are not only resilient but may even be capable of surviving the extreme conditions of Mars The bacteria were found in a highly sterilized clean room at JPL, where the Phoenix spacecraft was assembled in 2007. Designed to be virtually free of life to prevent contaminating other planets, the lab instead harbored 215 bacterial strains. Among them, scientists identified 53 strains that belonged to 26 never-before-seen bacteria were already present before the spacecraft arrived. Others appeared during its construction and testing. Despite rigorous sterilization procedures, including exposure to toxic chemicals and radiation, these microbes didn't just survive—they adapted.'This is a serious concern for planetary protection ,' microbiologist Alexandre Rosado was quoted as saying by the Dailygalaxy. He noted that such organisms could accidentally hitch a ride to other worlds, potentially interfering with life-detection newly discovered microbes possess traits typically found in Earth's most extreme environments. They showed high resistance to radiation, toxic substances, and disinfection chemicals—features that echo extremophiles like those living in deep-sea vents or to the study, published in journal Microbiome, the microbes evolved to resist the clean room's repeated sterilization efforts. They boast powerful DNA repair systems, fast metabolism, and the ability to neutralize toxins. As co-author Junia Schultz from King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) put it, 'They're true survivalists.'While their resilience raises concerns about planetary contamination, these bacteria could offer breakthroughs here on believe the same genes that help them endure harsh conditions could aid in developing:This accidental discovery also reinforces the need for more stringent cleanliness standards in space missions. NASA has already begun reviewing protocols to minimize the risk of microbial contamination during future interplanetary big question: Could these bacteria survive off Earth?While that's still being studied, their durability certainly raises the possibility. If Earth microbes are accidentally introduced to Mars or another planet, they could interfere with life-detection missions or be mistaken for alien life . They could outcompete native organisms—if any exist in the alien has previously conducted experiments on how microbes handle near-space environments, and this new research adds a powerful data point to that growing body of scientists continue to push the boundaries of space and life sciences, these rogue bacteria may turn out to be unlikely pioneers—showing us both the strength of life on Earth and the care needed when searching for it elsewhere.
Time of India
19-05-2025
- Science
- Time of India
26 unknown bacterial species found in 'clean rooms' used to prep NASA's Phoenix Mars lander
credit: NASA/JPL/LMSS/pheonix mars lander Imagine this: This is a high-tech, crystal-clean, and sterile room designed to prevent any earthly contaminants from hitchhiking a ride to Mars. You can imagine this, right? Because on the inside, you know that a high-tech operating room would be squeaky clean. Well, the irony is that, in a surprising turn of events, scientists have discovered 26 new species of bacteria that are thriving in NASA 's so-called 'clean' spacecraft facilities. These findings were recently discovered from a study conducted by NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, along with researchers from King Abdullah University of Science and Technology. The team, although they came to this high-tech operating room for a different purpose and were investigating a potential microbial contamination in NASA's clean rooms, instead returned with a unique discovery in itself. Reportedly, the team collected samples from the facility where the Phoenix Mars lander was prepared for its 2007 mission. Upon scanning the place, the doctors found that those microbes had survived. These microorganisms are known as extremophiles and are capable of surviving even the harsh, sterilized environments that most microorganisms would not. credit: NASA/JPL What is a clean room? A clean room within a space facility is a specially controlled environment that is optimized to hold extremely low concentrations of dust, airborne particles, and contaminants. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like New Trend Lets Indians Access Benefits Up to ₹2,00,00,000 India News Learn More Undo They play a crucial role in aerospace engineering, particularly when designing, assembling, and testing spacecraft, satellites, and instruments, for which even small particles can result in catastrophic failure in space. What was the team's initial discovery? During their thorough investigation, they had unexpectedly encountered 53 bacterial strains, 26 of which were previously known to science. A particular new species was discovered, known as Neobacillus Driksii, named after the microbiologist Dr. R. S. Drik. it is known to produce a unique antimicrobial peptide, which is called paeninodin. A fact that you will be shocked to know is that this bacterium's resilience to sterilization makes it significant in planetary protection and potential application in medicine. "The genes identified in these newly discovered bacterial species could be engineered for applications in medicine, food preservation and other industries," said Junia Schultz, a postdoctoral fellow at KAUST. What does this mean for NASA further? This unexpected discovery has raised a lot of ethical questions about the robustness of life and the complexities that would further come up for space exploration. If you stop to think, the entire purpose of this facility is to ensure that no microorganism, such as bacteria or any type of fungi, makes its way onto a spacecraft. Yet, despite their vigorous sterilization process, these extremophiles were able to endure, adding a layer of complexity to NASA's planetary protection protocols. This question becomes particularly relevant when we think of the search for life on Mars and other planets. With more missions to explore Mars coming up, scientists are required to exercise caution to avoid cross-contamination between Earth and extraterrestrial bodies. The fact that these resilient microbes are found in the clean rooms indicates that even the best sterilization measures might not be sufficient to ensure that our equipment and spacecraft are completely devoid of terrestrial life. This would result in more efficient approaches to sterilization and containment in the future, as space organizations strive to avoid contamination of microorganisms. If we can take lessons from these stress-tolerant organisms, we may be able to develop more efficient mechanisms for avoiding the transmission of infectious pathogens in hospitals, research labs, and other high-stakes environments. What do we learn from this? Regardless of how advanced our technology is, life has a way of evolving and persisting, even in the most unlikely and artificial settings. It also demonstrates the unanticipated manner in which exploration in space results in discoveries that hold significant implications for both medicine and science. As NASA and other space agencies press on with their mission to explore far-off worlds, they are also bringing new information to light about life on our planet, laying open doors to technologies that can help humanity in ways they never could have imagined.
