{
  "id": 14441682,
  "title": "A Trip to Mars Could Break Your Heart - Literally",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/14/a-trip-to-mars-could-break-your-heart-literally",
  "topic": "science",
  "section": "Science",
  "published": "2026-10-14T11:57:41.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Universe Today",
    "slug": "universe-today",
    "url": "https://www.universetoday.com/articles/a-trip-to-mars-could-break-your-heart-literally"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A recent study published in PLoS One examines the potential health risks of deep space travel, specifically for astronauts traveling to Mars. The research, conducted by scientists at the Medical College of Wisconsin, used rats to simulate the effects of weightlessness and radiation exposure on the human body. The findings reveal several concerning implications for long-term space exploration.\n\nOne of the primary concerns is the impact of radiation on the heart. After exposure to a high dose of radiation (1.5 Gray), the rats developed perivascular fibrosis, a condition where scar tissue forms around the coronary vessels supplying blood to the heart. This condition doubled in size 270 days after radiation exposure, increasing the likelihood of a heart attack. While weightlessness alone did not have a significant effect on this outcome, it appears that radiation was the primary cause.\n\nAnother alarming finding is the long-term effects of radiation on the immune system. Months after exposure, the rats' spleens had lost two-thirds of their Natural Killer (NK) cells, which are crucial for eliminating virus-infected and cancerous cells. This immune system compromise could render astronauts more susceptible to infections and cancer during and after their missions.\n\nThe study also highlights the synergistic effects of microgravity and radiation on the body. While rats exposed only to microgravity eventually recovered to normal cellular levels, those exposed to both microgravity and radiation showed a muted recovery. The radiation stunted the bone marrow's ability to respond to physiological stress, leading to more severe consequences for the cardiovascular system.\n\nFurthermore, the research revealed permanent genetic mutations in the rats' white blood cells following radiation exposure. These mutations, particularly in genes related to Clonal Hematopoiesis of Indeterminate Potential (CHIP), could lead to an increased risk of leukemia and heart attacks or strokes. The effects of radiation appear to accelerate these age-related changes, potentially compromising the cardiovascular system much faster than expected for a rat's lifespan.\n\nWhile the study has limitations, such as the use of male rats and a single dose of radiation, the findings underscore the need for thorough research and preparation before sending humans to Mars. The long-term health implications of deep space travel highlight the importance of developing advanced radiation shielding and medical countermeasures to protect astronauts during their missions.",
  "summary": "When astronauts first travel to Mars, or anywhere else in deep space, they will have to contend with two problems that our planet itself protects us from on its surface - radiation and weightlessness. Scientists already know both can have a profound impact on the human body, but just how much of one, and how long that impact can last, remain a mystery. A new paper by researchers at the Medical…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}