Want to be a survivor? Then go into space! Recently, an international team of scientists, studying changes in astronauts, found that being in the space environment prevents aging of the body muscles and reduces the expression of certain genes. This leads automatically to the extension of the life cycle, the researchers said.

The idea of space "longevity" is not new. From science fiction, we know that time is on Earth and in space flows differently. From the point of view of the theory of relativity, the speed of the flow of time is directly connected with the speed of the object itself. Thus, if the object will be able to reach the speed of light, the time for it almost stops...

As an illustrative example Einstein leads the twin paradox, which later was exploited by many science fiction. One twin is sent into space, the other remains on the Earth. After many years, the twin-astronaut returned to Earth, where he finds his brother strongly old, while he is still young, because the ship was moving at the speed of light.

But still the humanity can not dwell in space long enough to effect "slow" time was any noticeable. Try to go with the other hand. It is known that during space flight reduced muscle mass. This is the response to the environmental conditions, in particular, exposure to weightlessness. Now it turned out that while being in space is reduced and the amount of toxic proteins that, as a rule, are accumulated in the process of aging muscles.

In addition, scientists have found genes group, the expression of which is within the space flight of the falls. Earlier laboratory experiments carried out on the Land, over worm Caenorhabditis elegans, showed that the decrease in the expression of the same genes extends experimental life.

Today Caenorhabditis elegans is the first multicellular organism whose genome has been completely decoded. As it turned out, many of its genes have counterparts in the human body, for example, those responsible for muscle function.

"We have identified seven genes, inactivation which extends the life in the laboratory, - said one of the study's authors, expert on muscle metabolism, Dr. Nathaniel szewczyk. - We do not exactly know how these genes work. Apparently, they affect the perception of the environment and the corresponding adaptation of the organism. For example, one of the genes controlling insulin production, associated with the metabolism and lifespan".

These results are encouraging. If everything happens for a similar scheme, the Director of the Center for the study of aging at the University of Louisiana, Professor Michal Yazvinski, we will be able to live up to 400 years old! Already mentioned above Caleb Finch gives a more optimistic forecast of 1300 years!

Consequently, as a result of adaptation to the cosmic conditions of living organisms can live longer. At least at the level of the hypothesis. Finally it can be clarified after carried out of studies. Yet at the same Caenorhabditis elegans.

It is established that these worms can live and propagate in space for about six months. Thus, the cost of sending them in experimental flight, such as to Mars, may be relatively low. In the process will be able to study the effect of the space environment on a living organism.

But, of course, worms still significantly different from the people. Therefore, even if the experiment succeeds, too early to draw conclusions, that person is also useful to dwell in space... To such conclusions the need much more thorough research. Yes and space environment too dangerous for people. Before to put an experience in life extension in space, first of all we need to improve the technology that will allow astronauts to make voyages to Mars without risk to health.