re: Long-Term Space Exposure Alters DNA

quote:

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Scott’s telomeres (endcaps of chromosomes that shorten as one ages) actually became significantly longer in space. While this finding was presented in 2017, the team verified this unexpected change with multiple assays and genomics testing. Additionally, a new finding is that the majority of those telomeres shortened within two days of Scott’s return to Earth.

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This is especially interesting as one of the theories gaining traction is that telomeres are a primary driver in the aging process (each time a cell copies itself, the telomeres shorten).