Bacteria in space grow more lethal and antibiotic-resistance according to experiments. Science Alert reported that a rocket holding an orbiter, rover, and lander was launched by China's Tianwen-1 mission to Mars earlier this week from the country's Hainan province. China expects the mission to deploy the rover on the Red Planet's surface by early 2021. 

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Another space mission took place on Sunday, July 26, after the Arab World began its interplanetary space travel by launching the Emirates Mars Missions. The report also stated that NASA's Mars Perseverance rover will also be launched from Florida on July 30. For other updates on future space missions, check the latest news of TechTimes. 

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It was also explained that although space is becoming the ultimate frontier for many countries and nations, the ability gained to travel faster and smarter into space, doesn't currently provide enough knowledge to understand the effects of space on biological substances, such as bacteria. Since these microorganisms live in the people's body and surroundings, it can also latch itself wherever people go, including into space.

Scientists concluded that since people are affected by space's unique environment, it can also impact the microscopic organisms. Earth's life has not yet adapted to spend time in space since all living organisms on the planet have evolved with the ever-present force of gravity. However, it is not yet fully understood how minimal gravity, liquid surface tension, and capillary forces affect different lifeforms.

How does microgravity make bacteria more deadly and lethal?

According to the research from space flight missions, microgravity, a state when only tiny gravitational forces are present, affects the growth of bacteria, making them more deadly and resilient. A study published by Springer Link stated that bacteria in space seem to become more lethal and antibiotic-resistant.

The microorganisms can also stay this way for a short period after returning to the planet, unlike other bacteria that never went to space. These microscopic organisms also mutate faster in space, but, the report clarified that the mutations are mainly used by the bacteria to adapt to the new environment.

That lack of gravity causes the bacteria to become more resistant to antibiotics since space's microgravity promotes the biofilm of the microorganisms. Bacteria can stick to each other and stationary surfaces, because of the biofilms, which are densely-packed cells that produce a matrix of polymeric substances.

It improves bacteria's ability to survive and cause infection by increasing their resistance to antibiotics. The study said that biofilms can attach and grow on space stations' equipment, causing it to biodegrade.

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