"Space-bound Microbes Pose Health Risks to Astronauts on the ISS"
Microbes that hitchhike on astronauts and cargo flights to the International Space Station (ISS) can pose a risk to astronaut health and equipment. These microbes form biofilms, which protect them and allow them to evade the body's defense system. However, a surface treatment using a silicon-based lubricant has shown promise in preventing biofilm formation on ISS surfaces. This solution could be crucial for long-term space missions and also has potential applications in keeping medical devices clean and reducing microbe-driven corrosion on Earth.
