Summary:
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Rapid Microbial Growth
A sample from asteroid Ryugu was quickly colonized by Earth microbes, despite strict contamination controls, as found by researchers from Imperial College London. -
Strict Handling Measures
The sample, collected by JAXA’s Hayabusa 2 mission, was handled in a hermetically sealed nitrogen environment and stored in sterile conditions to avoid contamination. -
Microbial Evidence
Filaments resembling terrestrial microorganisms were found, showing signs of growth and decline over time, suggesting a 5.2-day generation cycle of prokaryotes. -
Contamination Source
The study concluded that the microbes were likely introduced during sample preparation, not from the asteroid itself, emphasizing the challenge of protecting extraterrestrial samples. -
Future Precautions
Researchers recommend enhanced contamination controls for future missions to preserve the integrity of space samples and prevent microbial colonization.
Read more at: Phys.org
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