CNN reports that a sample Salmonella carried on board the space shuttle mission STS-115 came back to Earth three times as potent as Salmonella left behind. This raises many concerns about the effects of micro-gravity on germs astronauts and other space travelers unavoidably carry with them. Are these bugs bombarded with cosmic rays that mutate them into unstoppable killing machines? Probably not. No one's sure yet, but the working theory is that fluid shear (the force of liquid passing over cells) is lower in space, with may result in the germs becoming more robust. All I know is I'm not taking a flight on Virgin Galactic without a box of Handi Wipes.
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Killer Germs from Outer Space
