This video from NASA shows a time-lapse of heart cells beating in the microgravity of the international space stating.
The cells – called cardiomyocytes – were derived from stem cells, which in turn came from skin cells.
NASA astronaut Kate Rubens used a microscope to keep a close eye on them before they were returned to Earth in August.
Results will show how cardiomyocytes change on a cellular and molecular level in space, improving understanding of microgravity’s negative effects for astronauts on long missions down the track.
Originally published by Cosmos as How does space tinker with your ticker?
Anthea Batsakis
Anthea Batsakis is a freelance journalist in Melbourne, Australia.
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