https://spacemedicinefoundation.org/updates/literature/ Recent peer-reviewed space medicine papers, verified and summarized in plain English. Educational only; not medical advice. en-us Thu, 15 Oct 2026 16:00:00 GMT https://spacemedicinefoundation.org/updates/literature/#gupta-ocular-2026smf-lit-42855039Fri, 09 Oct 2026 16:00:00 GMTEyes & brainA broad review of how spaceflight affects the eye, including spaceflight-associated neuro-ocular syndrome (SANS), damage to the corneal surface, possible radiation-related lens changes, and retinal and choroidal changes. It also covers the limits on eye imaging, pressure measurement and drug delivery in orbit. Why it matters clinically: A current reference for clinicians who examine crew before and after flight, including what can and cannot be measured in space. Citation: Gupta et al. Prog Retin Eye Res. 2026:101535. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.preteyeres.2026.101535 https://spacemedicinefoundation.org/updates/literature/#taylor-hip-2026smf-lit-42820897Thu, 01 Oct 2026 16:00:00 GMTBone & muscleResearchers analyzed a survey of all fractures reported by U.S. astronauts. Hip fractures were more frequent in the years after a mission longer than 90 days than after shorter flights or no flight. Rates matched those of people on Earth 8 to 16.5 years older; fracture rates at other sites did not differ. Why it matters clinically: Returning long-duration crew may carry hip fracture risk earlier in life than their age suggests; bone surveillance should continue for years after flight. Citation: Taylor et al. Mayo Clin Proc. 2026;101:1700–1711. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mayocp.2026.06.025 https://spacemedicinefoundation.org/updates/literature/#schmidt-pcresol-2026smf-lit-42866036Mon, 28 Sep 2026 16:00:00 GMTImmune & microbiomeUsing data from the NASA Twins Study (one twin spent 340 days on the space station), researchers found changes in blood levels of p-cresol, a toxin made by gut bacteria, at certain stages of flight. Gut bacteria that produce it, including Clostridioides difficile, were more abundant in the flight twin. Why it matters clinically: Hypothesis-generating only (one person in space), but it points to gut bacteria as a possible target for protecting crew health on long missions. Citation: Schmidt et al. Front Physiol. 2026;17:1878680. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2026.1878680 https://spacemedicinefoundation.org/updates/literature/#madrid-neck-2026smf-lit-42782142Thu, 24 Sep 2026 16:00:00 GMTBone & muscleNine astronauts (about 7 months in flight) had neck MRI before and after their missions. Most of 11 neck muscles kept their size and fat content; more resistance exercise in flight was linked to larger, leaner muscles. Because every crewmember exercised, the study cannot show that exercise prevented loss. Why it matters clinically: Reassuring for neck strength after modern missions with structured exercise, which matters for landing loads and return to duty. Citation: Madrid Fuentes et al. Exp Physiol. 2026:EP093726. https://doi.org/10.1113/EP093726 https://spacemedicinefoundation.org/updates/literature/#lazow-trauma-2026smf-lit-42767210Mon, 21 Sep 2026 16:00:00 GMTEmergencies & traumaThe authors argue that local trauma systems near launch and landing sites must be ready for injured space travelers. Responders should expect altered physiology after long missions and chemical or heat exposures. Evacuation from landing sites may take several hours, so care should follow Advanced Trauma Life Support principles with hours of temporizing care. Why it matters clinically: Emergency departments and trauma centers near launch and landing sites should pre-plan transport, mass-casualty response and spaceflight-specific assessment. Citation: Lazow et al. J Trauma Acute Care Surg. 2026. https://doi.org/10.1097/TA.0000000000005176 https://spacemedicinefoundation.org/updates/literature/#appadurai-heart-2026smf-lit-42741837Tue, 15 Sep 2026 16:00:00 GMTHeart & circulationThirteen astronauts had heart ultrasound before, during and after space station missions (median 164 days). Heart filling volume and pumping output dropped early in flight, much like standing up on Earth, then drifted back toward baseline. After landing, a tilt that simulated Mars gravity did not stress the heart more than standing did before flight. Why it matters clinically: With current exercise countermeasures, about six months in space did not cause large lasting changes in heart structure or function in this small study. Citation: Appadurai et al. Circulation. 2026;154(15):1444–1455. https://doi.org/10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.125.078665 https://spacemedicinefoundation.org/updates/literature/#zhang-rad-review-2026smf-lit-42769920Mon, 07 Sep 2026 16:00:00 GMTRadiationA review of how space radiation may affect the bone marrow, nervous system and gut. Human flight data suggest effects such as lower lymphocyte counts; brain and gut effects come mainly from animal studies and still need confirmation in astronauts. Why it matters clinically: Helps separate what is seen in astronauts from what is so far shown only in animals when counseling about deep-space radiation risk. Citation: Zhang et al. Front Public Health. 2026;14:1926972. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2026.1926972 https://spacemedicinefoundation.org/updates/literature/#zamboni-jvp-2026smf-lit-42716986Thu, 03 Sep 2026 16:00:00 GMTHeart & circulationUltrasound of the internal jugular vein in four astronauts showed the vein became smaller after flight in three of them, while its pulsing motion increased. A fourth astronaut showed the opposite pattern, which the authors attribute to a probable jugular vein clot, the third such case documented in space medicine. Why it matters clinically: Neck-vein clots are a known spaceflight finding; jugular ultrasound may help with monitoring, though four people is too few to set practice. Citation: Zamboni et al. Sci Rep. 2026;16:28222. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-69054-9 https://spacemedicinefoundation.org/updates/literature/#cai-dose-2026smf-lit-42672124Mon, 31 Aug 2026 16:00:00 GMTRadiationA computer model estimated organ doses for astronauts in the Chinese Space Station orbit: about 1,006 microsieverts per day during spacewalks and 571 inside the station. Trapped protons from Earth’s radiation belts were the largest contributor. The authors note dose cannot be inferred from altitude alone because orbital inclination changes exposure. Why it matters clinically: Spacewalks nearly double the daily dose in this model; orbit inclination, not just altitude, matters when estimating crew exposure. Citation: Cai et al. Radiat Prot Dosim. 2026:ncag099. https://doi.org/10.1093/rpd/ncag099 https://spacemedicinefoundation.org/updates/literature/#ma-seat-2026smf-lit-42603230Sat, 15 Aug 2026 16:00:00 GMTOccupant protectionEmergencies & traumaUsing crash-test-dummy drop tests (18–45 g) and human body computer models, researchers tested seat back angles from 0° to 40° for hard capsule landings. Standard injury measures worsened as the seat reclined, with the lower spine most sensitive, while individual organs favored different angles. Why it matters clinically: Off-nominal landings can far exceed normal 8–12 g loads; seat design trade-offs affect which injuries clinicians should expect after a hard landing. Citation: Ma et al. Ann Biomed Eng. 2026. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10439-026-04334-z https://spacemedicinefoundation.org/updates/literature/#leroy-mhc-2026smf-lit-42562863Thu, 06 Aug 2026 16:00:00 GMTImmune & microbiomeGenes that let cells display “danger signals” to the immune system (MHC class I) were turned down across missions from the three-day Inspiration4 flight to long space station stays. Tumors and viruses use the same trick to hide. This perspective discusses possible long-term risks and research directions. Why it matters clinically: A possible mechanism behind viral reactivation in crew; it is a perspective, not new clinical evidence. Citation: LeRoy et al. Commun Biol. 2026;9:1053. https://doi.org/10.1038/s42003-026-10550-z https://spacemedicinefoundation.org/updates/literature/#nowadly-api-2026smf-lit-42550782Tue, 04 Aug 2026 16:00:00 GMTMedicationsEight medications flown to the space station were compared with matched ground samples, all tested after their expiration dates. Most differed from ground controls by 5% or less and more than 90% of samples stayed within 80–120% of labeled strength. Epinephrine was the exception, averaging 10% lower than its ground control. Why it matters clinically: Supports limited spaceflight effect on most drugs studied, but flags epinephrine potency as a concern for long-mission medical kits. Citation: Nowadly et al. Wilderness Environ Med. 2026. https://doi.org/10.1177/10806032261466966 https://spacemedicinefoundation.org/updates/literature/#adebowale-nano-2026smf-lit-42549747Tue, 04 Aug 2026 16:00:00 GMTMedicationsLiquid melatonin formulations flew on a sounding rocket. An uncoated version showed slight droplet growth under all conditions, including ground storage, consistent with ordinary aging rather than a weightlessness effect. A chitosan-coated version stayed essentially unchanged. Why it matters clinically: Early work on making liquid medications more stable for future mission kits; not yet clinical. Citation: Adebowale et al. Adv Healthc Mater. 2026;15(33):e71521. https://doi.org/10.1002/adhm.71521 https://spacemedicinefoundation.org/updates/literature/#aldeghi-hyperopia-2026smf-lit-42542336Sat, 01 Aug 2026 16:00:00 GMTEyes & brainIn NASA data from 85 astronauts on missions longer than 30 days, older age was the strongest predictor of a shift toward farsightedness, a feature of SANS. Longer missions and higher preflight body weight showed weaker links. Why it matters clinically: Older crew on long missions may warrant closer vision monitoring before, during and after flight. Citation: Aldeghi, Higbee. Aerosp Med Hum Perform. 2026;97(8):627–632. https://doi.org/10.3357/AMHP.6896.2026 https://spacemedicinefoundation.org/updates/literature/#mampre-apap-2026smf-lit-42530224Thu, 30 Jul 2026 16:00:00 GMTMedicationsResearch methodsThe four Polaris Dawn crewmembers took 500 mg of acetaminophen before, during and after flight and collected finger-prick blood samples. In flight, peak blood levels were several times higher and the drug was cleared differently; some changes persisted three days after landing. The authors call this the first pharmacokinetic study using blood drawn during spaceflight. Why it matters clinically: Standard Earth doses may produce higher-than-expected drug levels in flight; dosing of common kit drugs needs further study. Citation: Mampre et al. J Clin Pharmacol. 2026;66(8):e70240. https://doi.org/10.1002/jcph.70240 https://spacemedicinefoundation.org/updates/literature/#ward-shoulder-2026smf-lit-42532466Thu, 30 Jul 2026 16:00:00 GMTBone & muscleNASA health records from 1981–2024 showed 677 work-related shoulder injuries and 25 surgeries. About 65% happened after flight and 34% before flight. Astronauts with six months or more in space were injured sooner after return, and more hours of underwater spacesuit training were linked to earlier injuries. Why it matters clinically: Pre-flight conditioning, limits on suit-training load and post-flight shoulder surveillance may prevent injuries, especially as spacewalk demands grow. Citation: Ward et al. J Shoulder Elbow Surg. 2026. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jse.2026.07.014 https://spacemedicinefoundation.org/updates/literature/#bergauer-onsd-2026smf-lit-42582054Tue, 28 Jul 2026 16:00:00 GMTEyes & brainResearch methodsEight healthy volunteers lay at 12° head-down tilt (a ground model of weightlessness) or flat. Optic nerve sheath diameter measured by eye ultrasound grew after 90 minutes of tilt, peaking at 150 minutes with an average increase of 0.79 mm. Why it matters clinically: Sets up a trial of lower-body suction as a SANS countermeasure and supports eye ultrasound as a simple non-invasive marker. Citation: Bergauer et al. Front Physiol. 2026;17:1890637. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2026.1890637 https://spacemedicinefoundation.org/updates/literature/#neset-cv-map-2026smf-lit-42601158Mon, 06 Jul 2026 16:00:00 GMTHeart & circulationResearch methodsA NASA-supported team screened over 18,000 records and mapped 3,512 relevant articles. Humans made up about 69% of study populations, but only 28% of articles studied actual spaceflight. Among 855 human spaceflight studies, heart rate, heart measurements and blood pressure were most often reported. Why it matters clinically: A searchable map of the cardiovascular evidence; useful for finding the actual flight data behind clinical claims. Citation: Neset et al. Life Sci Space Res. 2026;52:37–44. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lssr.2026.07.003