![]() ![]() Currently, most fungal detections are made by sending samples back to laboratories on Earth. However, this approach won't be possible for long-duration missions, such as a crewed flight to Mars. According to Dr. Sieger, the presence of mycotoxins does not necessarily mean danger to astronauts. In particular, she suggests that new methods should be developed for monitoring the surfaces and atmospheres of spacecraft. If space is a stressful environment for humans, it may also be stressful for fungi. Whether or not astronauts are actually being affected by these toxins remains unknown, Dr. Sieger added. Dr. Sieger's team recommends that space agencies do a better job of detecting and researching mycotoxins in spacecraft. This is problematic because the specific fungi found on space-faring vessels, such as Aspergillus flavus and members of the genus Alternaria, are known to produce carcinogenic and immune-depressing compounds. These molecules often form when fungi are stressed, she said.
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