New bacterial species discovered aboard Tiangong Space Station by Chinese scinetists
Chinese researchers have found a new, previously unknown bacteria species on the Tiangong Space Station, a Chinese modular space station in low Earth orbit. These findings are recorded in the International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology. The discovery has been formally named as Niallia tiangongensis. These findings were made from the microbial samples collected from multiple surfaces across the space station during the Shenzhou 15 mission, which landed on Earth in June 2023.
Characterized as aerobic, spore-forming and rod-shaped, these bacteria are genetically close to Niallia circulans, a terrestrial strain, this space-borne bacterium shows several different mutations. These differences, say the scientists, contain potential for further developing the knowledge of microbial life outside Earth.
One notable trait of Niallia tiangongensis is its ability to hydrolyse gelatin, a biochemical process that could prove advantageous in nutrient-scarce settings. The bacterium further demonstrates specialized structural and functional divergence within two proteins crucial to biofilm development, defense against oxidative stress, and repair from radiation damage. These characteristics indicate special adaptations that can allow the organism to survive in space, where one is exposed to continuous bombardment by toxic radiation, microgravity, and scarce resources with which to fight survival.
Although it is the first such discovery on Tiangong, it is not unusual. Bacterial experiments on the International Space Station already have yielded new bacterial isolates, some of which will come in handy for future efforts to grow food on Mars. Even within the spotless walls of NASA clean rooms, places intended to be nearly microbe-free, researchers recently discovered 26 new species of bacteria.
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French President Macron concludes Mumbai visit
Mumbai (PTI): French President Emmanuel Macron, along with First Lady Brigitte Macron, left Mumbai for New Delhi on Wednesday after concluding his engagements here, including bilateral talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
They were seen off at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport by Maharashtra Governor Acharya Devvrat, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy CM Eknath Shinde.
On Tuesday, Macron held discussions with Modi as part of efforts to further strengthen India-France strategic ties.
During the Mumbai visit, the French president and his wife also met some of India's top filmmakers and actors, and had an animated exchange with them about cinema, culture and collaboration.
President Macron is on an official visit to India from February 17 to 19 at the invitation of PM Modi to participate in the AI Impact Summit hosted by India in the national capital Delhi, besides the bilateral summit in Mumbai.
PM Modi will inaugurate the summit on February 19. As many as 20 heads of states, including French President Macron, will be present at the inaugural session, Electronics and IT Secretary S Krishnan said.
