“Exposure to short duration gravity load changes including microgravity, as sustained in a parabolic flight statistically significantly decreases the sperm motility and vitality of human fresh sperm samples,” the team found, adding that this may have huge importance for any prolonged human settlement missions in space.

“In the future, should humans remain in space for long periods of time with exposure to different microgravity and hypergravity peaks, which could range from months to a number of years, reproduction may pose a problem to be tackled.”

The mechanism by which sperm motility was decreased remains unknown, with further study needed.

  • Francisco@lemmy.world
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    17 minutes ago

    After sparing this paper a fair bit of attention I feel I’ve wasted it.

    Nowhere in the paper could i find in what conditions the test samples were kept during the experiment. This is pretty basic stuff. At this stage I’d wage sloshing was the issue.

    Reading this part of the methodology:

    "2.2 Initial sperm analysis

    After liquefaction…

    [Two paragraphs later, in the same section: ] After this first analysis, the 15 sperm samples were split into two fractions. All the samples were exposed to ‘Parabolic flight’ (split 1) and to…"

    Did they liquefied the samples and tested like that? Whaa?

    The “After this first analysis” should not be in the “2.2 Initial sperm analysis”. It just shouldn’t!

    Then I think “15 sperm samples were split into two fractions”. … “the samples were exposed to ‘Parabolic flight’ (split 1)” — splits, fractions, what a mess!! At this stage I’ve wasted enough.

    The paper should be retracted, the reviewers spanked and the editor fired.

  • rumba@lemmy.zip
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    2 hours ago

    A few seconds of microgravity? Something sounds off, that would probably be enough to be seen in parachutists and fighter pilots. I think I’m going to wait for the peer review on this one…

  • originalucifer@moist.catsweat.com
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    2 hours ago

    comparing an existing sample exposed to small doses of micro-gravity seems incredibly… useless… compared to sperm generated in space. how can they even begin to use it to make generalizations on ‘long term human space colonization’?

    • scops@reddthat.com
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      15 minutes ago

      Especially considering the samples were exposed to supergravity as the plane came out of its dive. I feel like that would mostly invalidate whatever they were hoping to find.

      Also, why do they dismiss asking ISS staff to participate in studies? Bodily autonomy doesn’t mean you can’t ask someone to conduct … uh… research with you. It just means you have to respect it they say no. Astronauts seem like the types who wouldn’t mind putting in a little extra effort for… science.

  • j4k3@lemmy.world
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    3 hours ago

    Literally (fiction) speaking, I’ve randomly gambled on ~10 generations max before the population crashes if a generation ship arrives and fails to complete an O’Neill cylinder on the other side.

    Sound legit? 4am, going to bed, so no read.

    • Squizzy@lemmy.world
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      50 minutes ago

      Most of us aren’t suffering and spending time with my kids is amazing and I enioy it.

    • Arondeus@lemmy.ca
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      2 hours ago

      They are literally only talking about creating humans NOT on this world…

        • Pennomi@lemmy.world
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          1 hour ago

          The universe has plenty of room for more humans. There’s a shit ton of matter out there, if you can get to it.

          • JackGreenEarth@lemm.ee
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            25 minutes ago

            No, I meant to say by there being suffering in the world, I meant in the universe, rather than specifically referring to this planet and there would be no human suffering in off Earth colonies.

    • angrystego@lemmy.world
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      38 minutes ago

      I get you. But that’s life. Life wants to live and create more life. That’s what it’s about. The parts of life that ask why will be set aside and not used for the continuation of life.