Comments on: Germs Living in Space "Almost Three Times as Likely to Cause Disease" http://www.universetoday.com/2008/03/11/germs-living-in-space-almost-three-times-as-likely-to-cause-disease/ Space and astronomy news Sun, 8 Nov 2009 10:14:11 -0600 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.5 hourly 1 By: How to Get Six Pack Fast http://www.universetoday.com/2008/03/11/germs-living-in-space-almost-three-times-as-likely-to-cause-disease/comment-page-1/#comment-63510 How to Get Six Pack Fast Wed, 15 Apr 2009 18:16:04 +0000 http://www.universetoday.com/2008/03/11/germs-living-in-space-almost-three-times-as-likely-to-cause-disease/#comment-63510 My fellow on Facebook shared this link with me and I'm not dissapointed that I came here. My fellow on Facebook shared this link with me and I'm not dissapointed that I came here.

]]> By: Peter K http://www.universetoday.com/2008/03/11/germs-living-in-space-almost-three-times-as-likely-to-cause-disease/comment-page-1/#comment-15539 Peter K Fri, 14 Mar 2008 14:34:07 +0000 http://www.universetoday.com/2008/03/11/germs-living-in-space-almost-three-times-as-likely-to-cause-disease/#comment-15539 And yes, I realize I capitalized your name there...von Dawson. And yes, I realize I capitalized your name there…von Dawson.

]]> By: Peter K http://www.universetoday.com/2008/03/11/germs-living-in-space-almost-three-times-as-likely-to-cause-disease/comment-page-1/#comment-15538 Peter K Fri, 14 Mar 2008 14:32:40 +0000 http://www.universetoday.com/2008/03/11/germs-living-in-space-almost-three-times-as-likely-to-cause-disease/#comment-15538 Holy cynicism, Cathbad! Being jaded is fine, but let the rest of us enjoy life without your hurtful history! Von Dawson, I'm Canadian so I spell Endeavour with a 'u'. But do Americans? Not according to my dictionary. Careful who you're correcting. Holy cynicism, Cathbad!

Being jaded is fine, but let the rest of us enjoy life without your hurtful history!

Von Dawson, I'm Canadian so I spell Endeavour with a 'u'. But do Americans? Not according to my dictionary.
Careful who you're correcting.

]]> By: cathbad http://www.universetoday.com/2008/03/11/germs-living-in-space-almost-three-times-as-likely-to-cause-disease/comment-page-1/#comment-15488 cathbad Thu, 13 Mar 2008 20:42:52 +0000 http://www.universetoday.com/2008/03/11/germs-living-in-space-almost-three-times-as-likely-to-cause-disease/#comment-15488 Why are most of these articles on universe today usually digressing from the title? Cause the titles are teasers to lure into the ads. Why are most of these articles on universe today usually digressing from the title?

Cause the titles are teasers to lure into the ads.

]]> By: von Dawson's Express http://www.universetoday.com/2008/03/11/germs-living-in-space-almost-three-times-as-likely-to-cause-disease/comment-page-1/#comment-15438 von Dawson's Express Wed, 12 Mar 2008 18:07:19 +0000 http://www.universetoday.com/2008/03/11/germs-living-in-space-almost-three-times-as-likely-to-cause-disease/#comment-15438 Its 'Endeavour' not 'Endeavor'..... Its 'Endeavour' not 'Endeavor'…..

]]> By: AndyF http://www.universetoday.com/2008/03/11/germs-living-in-space-almost-three-times-as-likely-to-cause-disease/comment-page-1/#comment-15431 AndyF Wed, 12 Mar 2008 13:45:26 +0000 http://www.universetoday.com/2008/03/11/germs-living-in-space-almost-three-times-as-likely-to-cause-disease/#comment-15431 I've often wondered if bacteria exist on space borne debris, e.g. meteorites, dust, and if they can survive entry through Earth's atmosphere. Could be an answer to some of the mysterious outbreaks we periodically experience. Incidentally, 'bacterium' is the singular, 'bacteria' is the plural. Just like the oft misused 'phenomena'/'phenomenon'. I've often wondered if bacteria exist on space borne debris, e.g. meteorites, dust, and if they can survive entry through Earth's atmosphere. Could be an answer to some of the mysterious outbreaks we periodically experience.

Incidentally, 'bacterium' is the singular, 'bacteria' is the plural. Just like the oft misused 'phenomena'/'phenomenon'.

]]> By: Johnny Blues http://www.universetoday.com/2008/03/11/germs-living-in-space-almost-three-times-as-likely-to-cause-disease/comment-page-1/#comment-15425 Johnny Blues Wed, 12 Mar 2008 10:30:19 +0000 http://www.universetoday.com/2008/03/11/germs-living-in-space-almost-three-times-as-likely-to-cause-disease/#comment-15425 The benefits of this research will probably impact earthly biology the most. My first question on reading this was "Does that mean one can produce distilled beverages 3X faster? Somebody crank up the brewery! Talk about a light beer.... The benefits of this research will probably impact earthly biology the most. My first question on reading this was "Does that mean one can produce distilled beverages 3X faster? Somebody crank up the brewery! Talk about a light beer….

]]> By: Yael Dragwyla http://www.universetoday.com/2008/03/11/germs-living-in-space-almost-three-times-as-likely-to-cause-disease/comment-page-1/#comment-15414 Yael Dragwyla Wed, 12 Mar 2008 05:58:19 +0000 http://www.universetoday.com/2008/03/11/germs-living-in-space-almost-three-times-as-likely-to-cause-disease/#comment-15414 Fraser's right. What is it that Calvin L. finds unrelated to articles about Universe Today -- our space programs and space habitats? Our drive to explore and, eventually, colonize the universe? Does he think that life has nothing to do with the universe we're part of? If so, where does he think the world we live on now is -- in some other universe than the one observed and written about in this newsletter? Somebody seems to have problems connecting the dots . . . Fraser's right. What is it that Calvin L. finds unrelated to articles about Universe Today — our space programs and space habitats? Our drive to explore and, eventually, colonize the universe? Does he think that life has nothing to do with the universe we're part of? If so, where does he think the world we live on now is — in some other universe than the one observed and written about in this newsletter? Somebody seems to have problems connecting the dots . . .

]]> By: Fraser Cain http://www.universetoday.com/2008/03/11/germs-living-in-space-almost-three-times-as-likely-to-cause-disease/comment-page-1/#comment-15405 Fraser Cain Wed, 12 Mar 2008 02:52:45 +0000 http://www.universetoday.com/2008/03/11/germs-living-in-space-almost-three-times-as-likely-to-cause-disease/#comment-15405 <i>Why are most of these articles on universe today usually digressing from the title?</i> But this is totally about space travel, and the current space shuttle mission. You think this has nothing to do with space? Why are most of these articles on universe today usually digressing from the title?

But this is totally about space travel, and the current space shuttle mission. You think this has nothing to do with space?

]]> By: Laszlo http://www.universetoday.com/2008/03/11/germs-living-in-space-almost-three-times-as-likely-to-cause-disease/comment-page-1/#comment-15402 Laszlo Wed, 12 Mar 2008 02:07:49 +0000 http://www.universetoday.com/2008/03/11/germs-living-in-space-almost-three-times-as-likely-to-cause-disease/#comment-15402 Funny how I never read about results from shuttle experiments, they always claim to bring more sci-ex w launches though we're not privy to the findings? I assume the 3x virulence is Not referring to our compromised immune system while in space. What then might augment microbial virility? First, they grow as cohesive unit in 3D. Biofilm sticks to a porous surface and others latch on both hor & ver. Our tissues scaffold similarly. Lotsa mediators are secreted, but the physical contact also dictates growth form, whether on agar in petri or in space. Our tissues also respond/grow from cell feedbacks: magnetic fields, ions & peptides, thermal, pressure(osmotic) & membrane signals. Unlike bacteria, cell nuclear DNA sequestered w/i nucleus. Bacteria can exchange nuclear material from plasmid w neighbors. The catalyst for the mutation, deletion, transposition, rearrangement, etc might be the radiation. I see less problem w fungi & parasites, which would be far more devastating than bacteria or virus. Mold will need moisture and parasites 2 or 3 cyst/larval/juvenile stages w hosts in insects, snails, rodents,etc. Although bacteria can multiply at theoretical 20min clip, closer to an hour's more realistic. Bacteria mentioned require soil, water or diseased carcas. Anthrax extremely rare, almost extinct except for govn stockpiles. Remember bacteria depend on supernatant. They only adapt to their environment. You only find "bad bacter" on polluted dumps or diseased tissue, leachate being 1,000x more toxic than the garbage- due intermediary metabolites. When we create toxic waste, bacteria can only bioremediate it for us via their special enzymes through the 'incendiary' biometabolic pathway. So, you see Holmes, the question is Not the toxic microbes- we fed'em the toxins, but our ability to nurture our Good eco-friendly microbes in space. They're the buggarz digesting our food, making co-enzymes & vitamins, fermentation, protecting us from other microbes, ad nauseum. If something in space were ever to harm these symbiotic, mutual or commensal organisms, then "Houston we have a problem!" Funny how I never read about results from shuttle experiments, they always claim to bring more sci-ex w launches though we're not privy to the findings?
I assume the 3x virulence is Not referring to our compromised immune system while in space. What then might augment microbial virility?
First, they grow as cohesive unit in 3D. Biofilm sticks to a porous surface and others latch on both hor & ver. Our tissues scaffold similarly. Lotsa mediators are secreted, but the physical contact also dictates growth form, whether on agar in petri or in space. Our tissues also respond/grow from cell feedbacks: magnetic fields, ions & peptides, thermal, pressure(osmotic) & membrane signals. Unlike bacteria, cell nuclear DNA sequestered w/i nucleus. Bacteria can exchange nuclear material from plasmid w neighbors. The catalyst for the mutation, deletion, transposition, rearrangement, etc might be the radiation.
I see less problem w fungi & parasites, which would be far more devastating than bacteria or virus. Mold will need moisture and parasites 2 or 3 cyst/larval/juvenile stages w hosts in insects, snails, rodents,etc.
Although bacteria can multiply at theoretical 20min clip, closer to an hour's more realistic. Bacteria mentioned require soil, water or diseased carcas. Anthrax extremely rare, almost extinct except for govn stockpiles. Remember bacteria depend on supernatant. They only adapt to their environment. You only find "bad bacter" on polluted dumps or diseased tissue, leachate being 1,000x more toxic than the garbage- due intermediary metabolites. When we create toxic waste, bacteria can only bioremediate it for us via their special enzymes through the 'incendiary' biometabolic pathway.
So, you see Holmes, the question is Not the toxic microbes- we fed'em the toxins, but our ability to nurture our Good eco-friendly microbes in space. They're the buggarz digesting our food, making co-enzymes & vitamins, fermentation, protecting us from other microbes, ad nauseum. If something in space were ever
to harm these symbiotic, mutual or commensal organisms, then "Houston we have a problem!"

]]> By: Calvin L. http://www.universetoday.com/2008/03/11/germs-living-in-space-almost-three-times-as-likely-to-cause-disease/comment-page-1/#comment-15400 Calvin L. Wed, 12 Mar 2008 02:05:21 +0000 http://www.universetoday.com/2008/03/11/germs-living-in-space-almost-three-times-as-likely-to-cause-disease/#comment-15400 Why are most of these articles on universe today usually digressing from the title? To Don- I totally agree with Ian Why are most of these articles on universe today usually digressing from the title?

To Don-
I totally agree with Ian

]]> By: Ian O'Neill http://www.universetoday.com/2008/03/11/germs-living-in-space-almost-three-times-as-likely-to-cause-disease/comment-page-1/#comment-15399 Ian O'Neill Wed, 12 Mar 2008 01:55:56 +0000 http://www.universetoday.com/2008/03/11/germs-living-in-space-almost-three-times-as-likely-to-cause-disease/#comment-15399 To Don, You are totally right. Thanks for spotting that - I went off on a tangent and used the incorrect terminology... will make it clearer. The hazards of a physicist trying to interpret a biologist's work ;-) Cheers, Ian To Don,

You are totally right. Thanks for spotting that – I went off on a tangent and used the incorrect terminology… will make it clearer.

The hazards of a physicist trying to interpret a biologist's work ;-)

Cheers, Ian

]]> By: Don Monroe http://www.universetoday.com/2008/03/11/germs-living-in-space-almost-three-times-as-likely-to-cause-disease/comment-page-1/#comment-15398 Don Monroe Wed, 12 Mar 2008 01:17:08 +0000 http://www.universetoday.com/2008/03/11/germs-living-in-space-almost-three-times-as-likely-to-cause-disease/#comment-15398 Although it is well worth following up on the previous studies, it is important to note that the increased virulence was *not* a result of mutation of the bacteria. Instead, the low-shear environment activated an alternative "program" in the salmonella, perhaps related to the one they use when they form biolfilms, that changed the production rates of various proteins. After returning to earth, they presumably reverted to their normal virulence. Although it is well worth following up on the previous studies, it is important to note that the increased virulence was *not* a result of mutation of the bacteria. Instead, the low-shear environment activated an alternative "program" in the salmonella, perhaps related to the one they use when they form biolfilms, that changed the production rates of various proteins. After returning to earth, they presumably reverted to their normal virulence.

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