"Gut Bacteria of Astronauts Pose Threat to Mars Missions, Scientists Caution"

Scientists warn that astronauts' gut bacteria could pose a threat to future Mars missions, as four strains of bacteria commonly found in the human gut were found to survive and even thrive in simulated Mars conditions. These bacteria have the potential to cause disease in humans and could contaminate the Red Planet. The research suggests that human missions to Mars will need to take medical precautions to protect astronauts from bacterial threats brought from Earth, and robotic missions may be better suited for exploring regions that could harbor signs of life to prevent contamination.