Space-Earth Connection: How Space Weather Fluctuations Impact Epigenetic Aging In An Elderly Men Cohort From Massachusetts, USA
Did you know that the invisible forces from space might be influencing how quickly you age? Recent research has uncovered a fascinating link between “space weather” and our biological clocks here on Earth. Space weather refers to the changing conditions in the space environment around our planet, primarily driven by the Sun and cosmic rays from deep space.
Scientists studied blood samples from older men over many years, looking at patterns in their DNA that act like biological age markers. They found that high-energy particles called galactic cosmic rays, which constantly bombard Earth, appear to speed up the aging process. On the other hand, increased solar activity, like more sunspots, was associated with a slower biological aging rate. These changes in aging weren’t gradual over decades; they were observed relatively quickly, within about a month of space weather fluctuations.
The study suggests that even with Earth’s protective atmosphere, our bodies are sensitive to these cosmic conditions. The findings are similar to what has been observed in astronauts, indicating that these space-related influences on our biology are a real phenomenon, affecting pathways in our cells responsible for maintaining our genetic material and responding to stress. This groundbreaking work opens new avenues for understanding how our environment, even beyond Earth, impacts human health and aging.
Source: link to paper