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Viruses appear to be getting stronger in space – and scientists don’t know why
- New space study shows phages and bacteria evolve differently in microgravity on the ISS.
- Researchers infected E. coli with T7 phage aboard the ISS and compared results with Earth.
- Space mutations boosted phage infectivity and altered bacterial defenses.
- Mutations in the T7 protein may underlie increased infection in microgravity.
- Space-driven bacterial mutations could enhance survival in near-weightless conditions.
- Findings offer potential for improving phage therapies on Earth.
- The research compared Earth-based and space-based infection dynamics to reveal evolution in action.
- The study appears in the journal PLOS Biology and informs space biology.
- Researchers see space work as a platform to study microbial adaptation.
- The ISS phage research links space exploration to human health applications.
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