The International Space Station (|SS) has low microbial diversity, which could lead to astronaut health issues, according to a study published in Cell.

Researchers found that the microbial communities resemble those found in sanitized environments like hospitals rather than natural settings.

Co-senior study author Pieter Dorrestein explains that increasing microbial exposure could improve astronaut health during long-term space travel.

The study suggests incorporating natural elements, like soil, into the ISS to enhance microbial diversity and astronaut well-being.

The study in question:

https://www.cell.com/cell/fulltext/S0092-8674(25)00108-4

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[–] Cocodapuf 7 points 2 days ago (1 children)

It's the pivotal moment in War of the Worlds, for instance, and I can't see any way to avoid it.

I can think of a way to avoid it. And it's obviously a better first contact scenario when you think about it. It's simple, when you arrive at a planet for first contact, don't make it on the planet, make it at the largest space station found in orbit.

You can literally make contact in space suits, in space. If initial contact goes well and their required atmospheres (and necessary atmospheric pressure) are compatible, you can make further contact in the station, limiting the spread of any possible contamination.

Additional benefit: first contact will be made with scientists and engineers, not with politicians or nut jobs.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 2 days ago

I had a dream last night that aliens arrived in huge ships and just started blasting us from on high like they were just disinfecting the planet. It was quite vivid and reminded me that this is probably the most likely scenario lol