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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Four held in Kalaburagi for brutal murder of man
Kalaburagi: Four men have been arrested in Kalaburagi on charge of hacking a man with lethal weapons and pelting stones at him under the limits of Station Bazaar Police Station recently.
According to police sources, Anand Jalak Shinde (34), Ashitosh Jalak Shinde (30), Imran Mehboob Sheikh (28) and Sohaib Anwar Qureshi have been arrested. The men are accused of the brutal murder of Syed Mehboob, a resident of Station Bazaar Upper Line Hamalawadi in the city.
An FIR was filed by the Station Bazaar Police Station based on a complaint given by Syed Ismail, father of the deceased Syed Mehboob.
Following quick probe, the police team successfully arrested the suspects within 24 hours. The arrested men were produced in court and have been sent to judicial custody.
The City Police Commissionerate has appreciated in an official release the police team’s quick solving of the murder case and arrest of the four men accused of murdering Syed Mehboob.
