How Space Travel is Draining Astronauts' Red Blood Cells
It is now known that extended periods in space can cause a decrease in red blood cell count, a medical condition known as space anemia. A new study conducted by researchers from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) has found that this decrease in red blood cells is a result of extended exposure to space radiation. The researchers found that space radiation has the ability to damage red blood cell-producing stem cells, thus depleting the number of red blood cells in the body. This new discovery could have significant implications for astronaut health and safety, as it could lead to treatments to reduce the risk of anemia in astronauts.
source: Phys.org