Space weakens heart muscle cells

A recent study by Johns Hopkins Medicine revealed that low gravity conditions aboard the International Space Station (ISS) significantly weakened human bioengineered heart tissue and disrupted its normal rhythmic function. The research, which involved sending 48 heart tissue samples to the ISS for 30 days, found that the tissues beat about half as strongly as their Earth-bound counterparts. These findings, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, highlight potential health risks for astronauts during long space missions and may inform future heart health research on Earth. Previous studies have indicated that astronauts often return with age-related heart conditions, underscoring the importance of this research. Led by Dr. Deok-Ho Kim, the project utilized human induced pluripotent stem cells to create the heart muscle cells, allowing for a detailed investigation without risking astronaut health. The results contribute to a deeper understanding of how microgravity affects cardiovascular health, a critical factor for future space exploration.