April 14, 2009 -- A series of experiments conducted aboard the International Space Station may soon lead to a vaccine against food poisoning from salmonella bacteria. Researchers are analyzing a batch of the bacteria brought back by the shuttle Discovery crew last month. Earlier studies showed salmonella can become more virulent in weightlessness; further investigations proved its virulence can be controlled, toggled on and off like a switch. Now two groups are working to develop compounds for a salmonella vaccine, said space station program scientist Julie Robinson. The studies began because NASA was concerned its astronauts might be more susceptible to food poisoning in space due to their weakened immune systems -- an unfortunate, but well-documented effect of microgravity. Related Content:
Then researchers discovered that microgravity changes salmonella itself, providing insight into a new way to possibly control the bacteria on Earth. "Given that salmonella is among the leading causes of food-borne pathogens, one of the disappointments of the 21st century is that we don't have a vaccine," said Arizona State University's Cheryl Nickerson, who heads one of the research teams investigating salmonella in space. It was Nickerson's group that identified genetic changes in space-borne salmonella which made the bacteria more virulent than identical samples on Earth. Because the environment inside the intestines is similar to weightlessness, Nickerson is hopeful her research will lead to a vaccine and other treatments for food poisoning. Get More NewsSpiders, Scorpions Among World's Oldest CreaturesMany creepy crawlies have been on Earth much longer than previously believed.Blood-Sucking Vampire Bats Sing DuetsWhite-winged vampire bats "harmonize" with separated roost mates.Oldest Hebrew Writing Possibly FoundAncient inscriptions on a 3,000-year-old pottery shard could make history.Rare, Prehistoric-Age Reptile Found in N.Z.A tuatara has been spotted on the New Zealand mainland for the first time in 200 years.Iceman Has No Living RelativesOetzi, the 5,300 year-old frozen mummy, left no living genetic legacy.SLIDE SHOW: Landscapes of TerrorWhat makes a place feel scary? There are scientific explanations.It's Official: People Are Warming the PolesHumans are conclusively to blame for polar warming, say scientists.Eight-Armed Animal Preceded DinosaursWhat may be one of Earth's first animals was no bigger than a coaster and had eight arms.Phoenicians Live on in People's GenesOne in 17 Mediterranean men may be descended from ancient Phoenicians.Pesticides, Fertilizers Linked to Frog DeclineA pesticide is found to promote parasites among amphibians.Hubble Telescope Taking Photos AgainThe Hubble Space Telescope is once again snapping stunning photos of the universe.Andean Mummy Hairs Show Hallucinogen UseScientists find direct evidence of hallucinogenic drug use among ancient Andeans.Opals on Mars Reveal Planet's Long Wet PastOpals found on Mars suggest the planet has been wet for much longer. |
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