{"id":262537,"date":"2013-05-28T19:31:00","date_gmt":"2013-05-28T23:31:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/?migration=converted-node-359447"},"modified":"2023-07-25T12:11:54","modified_gmt":"2023-07-25T16:11:54","slug":"does-the-five-second-rule-apply-aboard-the-space-station","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/missions\/station\/does-the-five-second-rule-apply-aboard-the-space-station\/","title":{"rendered":"Does the Five-Second Rule Apply Aboard the Space Station?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>A crew member \u201cdrops\u201d his or her sandwich aboard the <a href=\"\/mission_pages\/station\/main\/index.html\">International Space Station<\/a> (ISS), and it hits a surface. Quick! Grab it within five seconds or it is spoiled?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If this rule really did apply, and the sandwich was picked up few seconds too late, not much bacteria would be found, according to the latest published results of the Lab-on-a-Chip Application Development \u2013 Portable Test System (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/mission_pages\/station\/research\/experiments\/232.html\">LOCAD-PTS<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-media hds-module wp-block-image\"><div class=\"margin-left-auto margin-right-auto nasa-block-align-inline\"><div class=\"hds-media-wrapper margin-left-auto margin-right-auto\"><figure class=\"hds-media-inner hds-cover-wrapper hds-media-ratio-cover \"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/751218main_1_xl_0.jpg\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1042\" height=\"693\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/751218main_1_xl_0.jpg?w=1042\" class=\"attachment-2048x2048 size-2048x2048\" alt=\"Astronaut Sunita Williams places a sample into test system\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/751218main_1_xl_0.jpg 1042w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/751218main_1_xl_0.jpg?resize=300,200 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/751218main_1_xl_0.jpg?resize=768,511 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/751218main_1_xl_0.jpg?resize=1024,681 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/751218main_1_xl_0.jpg?resize=400,266 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/751218main_1_xl_0.jpg?resize=600,399 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/751218main_1_xl_0.jpg?resize=900,599 900w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1042px) 100vw, 1042px\" loading=\"eager\" \/><\/a><\/figure><figcaption class=\"hds-caption padding-y-2\"><div class=\"hds-caption-text p-sm margin-0\">Astronaut Sunita Williams, Expedition 14 flight engineer, places a sample collected using the swabbing unit from an International Space Station surface into the Lab-on-a-Chip Application Development \u2013 Portable Test System (LOCAD-PTS) cartridge.<\/div><div class=\"hds-credits\">NASA<\/div><\/figcaption><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<p>The paper, titled “<a href=\"http:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pubmed\/22984871\" rel=\"noopener\">Rapid Culture-Independent Microbial Analysis Aboard the International Space Station (ISS) Stage Two: Quantifying Three Microbial Biomarkers<\/a>,” provided molecular data on the distribution of microbial molecules \u2013 parts of microbes that are single-cell organisms \u2013 in every livable space of the station.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThis means that the LOCAD-PTS analyzed samples collected from surfaces in every habitable module that was part of the ISS from 2007 to 2009,\u201d said Heather Morris, LOCAD-PTS scientist at <a href=\"\/centers\/marshall\/home\/index.html\">NASA\u2019s Marshall Space Flight Center<\/a> in Huntsville, Ala. \u201cThe molecules that it can detect are cell wall molecules of bacteria and fungi.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The handheld LOCAD-PTS device rapidly detects biological and chemical substances on surfaces aboard the station. Astronauts swab surfaces within the cabin, mix swabbed material with a liquid before adding it to the LOCAD-PTS and obtain results within 15 minutes on a display screen. The lightweight system has three different types of cartridges for detecting endotoxin, a marker of gram-negative bacteria; glucan, a type of fungi; and lipoteichoic acid, a marker of gram-positive bacteria. The category of gram-positive bacteria includes multiple pathogens, specifically the well-known <i>Streptococcus<\/i> and <i>Staphylococcus<\/i>, making the identification of these bacteria important for crew health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The study showed a rapid indication of biological cleanliness to help the crew monitor microorganisms in the space station environment. Likewise, this technology can provide a quick screen for bacterial\/fungal contamination in a hospital or other clinical setting, particularly after cleaning, to assess the sanitization of the surface.<\/p>\n\n\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-media hds-module wp-block-image\"><div class=\"margin-left-auto margin-right-auto nasa-block-align-inline\"><div class=\"hds-media-wrapper margin-left-auto margin-right-auto\"><figure class=\"hds-media-inner hds-cover-wrapper hds-media-ratio-cover \"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/751220main_2_xl.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"625\" height=\"409\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/751220main_2_xl.jpg?w=625\" class=\"attachment-2048x2048 size-2048x2048\" alt=\"Astronaut Sunita Williams uses the swabbing unit to collect samples that will be placed into the cartridges\" style=\"transform: scale(1.2); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/751220main_2_xl.jpg 625w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/751220main_2_xl.jpg?resize=300,196 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/751220main_2_xl.jpg?resize=400,262 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/751220main_2_xl.jpg?resize=600,393 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 625px) 100vw, 625px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><figcaption class=\"hds-caption padding-y-2\"><div class=\"hds-caption-text p-sm margin-0\">Astronaut Sunita Williams uses the swabbing unit to collect samples that will be placed into the cartridges to be analyzed by the LOCAD reader.<\/div><div class=\"hds-credits\">NASA<\/div><\/figcaption><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<p>\u201cThe major benefits of the LOCAD-PTS are the low, relative cost and minimal crew time to operate with rapid results,\u201d said Norm Wainwright, Ph.D., the principal investigator for the system from Charles River Laboratories in Charleston, S.C. \u201cIt can be used right at the place where contamination may have occurred, only requiring a small sample, and performs the analysis in a contained environment with no growth of organisms required.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In the paper, investigators reported that most surfaces used by the station crew are relatively free of microbial molecules. However, the number of microbial molecules were elevated at sites frequently contacted by crew members, including the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/mission_pages\/station\/research\/experiments\/CEVIS.html\">workout bike<\/a> in the U.S. Laboratory module; the Japanese Experiment Module (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/mission_pages\/station\/structure\/elements\/jem.html\">JEM<\/a>) airlock handle; and foot rests, drawers and the waste and hygiene compartments in the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/mission_pages\/station\/structure\/elements\/sm.html\">Zvezda<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/mission_pages\/station\/structure\/elements\/tranquility.html\">Tranquility<\/a> modules.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The first molecular test of surfaces in the newly docked JEM were performed using the cartridges designed to detect gram-positive bacteria, including the microorganisms that can cause staph infections and strep throat. The results revealed relatively clean surfaces.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cBy and large, we found that the station is a clean environment as the crew does have a stringent cleaning protocol,\u201d said Lisa Monaco, Ph.D., scientist for the LOCAD-PTS at Marshall. \u201cOur in-orbit testing revealed some areas of hardware\/software\/testing modifications that need to occur, and we\u2019ve begun working on all of them, but overall we\u2019re very satisfied with the results.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Simple panels on walls generally returned low readings of microbial molecules, but sometimes sleep stations would give the astronauts both high and low results.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWe wondered if that was due to the roughness of the surfaces and our swab,\u201d said Wainwright. \u201cSometimes it would collect more, perhaps because of the way and the angle the swab was used\u2026[P]anels are flat, smooth surfaces, so if a molecule or a cell is on them, it\u2019s going to be a little easier to pick up. But if it\u2019s on a rough, corrugated surface, they might be buried down into something. So we\u2019d see variations mostly with fabrics.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-media hds-module wp-block-image\"><div class=\"margin-left-auto margin-right-auto nasa-block-align-inline\"><div class=\"hds-media-wrapper margin-left-auto margin-right-auto\"><figure class=\"hds-media-inner hds-cover-wrapper hds-media-ratio-cover \"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/751222main_3_xl.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"547\" height=\"362\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/751222main_3_xl.jpg?w=547\" class=\"attachment-2048x2048 size-2048x2048\" alt=\"LOCAD-PTS hardware aboard the International Space Station during Expedition 15.\" style=\"transform: scale(1.2); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/751222main_3_xl.jpg 547w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/751222main_3_xl.jpg?resize=300,199 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/751222main_3_xl.jpg?resize=400,265 400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 547px) 100vw, 547px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><figcaption class=\"hds-caption padding-y-2\"><div class=\"hds-caption-text p-sm margin-0\">LOCAD-PTS hardware aboard the International Space Station during Expedition 15.<\/div><div class=\"hds-credits\">NASA<\/div><\/figcaption><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<p>The crew compared results from the LOCAD-PTS with those obtained by the current standard protocol. This method requires pads of gelatinous, agar-based media called contact slides to be held flat to a surface for one to two seconds to capture any microbes. After a sample is taken, the astronaut incubates them for five days and then photographs the slides to capture any colony growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWhile the data from LOCAD-PTS did not directly correlate to the colonies that we observed growing on the contact slides that had sampled sites close to the ones that we sampled, both tests did provide similar results some of the time,\u201d said Morris. \u201cAnd there are explanations for the differences. Microbial density varying across a surface or differences in sampling \u2013 contact slide versus swab tool \u2013 could account for some of the discrepancies observed.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>By having cartridges that could detect all three classes of microorganisms, this study greatly expands the usefulness of the LOCAD-PTS, which had previously only been able to detect gram-negative and fungal contamination.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Currently, the technology is being used to assess fluids used in pharmaceutical processing. It also will provide environmental testing capabilities that may serve homeland security. Additionally, future iterations of the technology could provide rapid medical diagnostics in clinical applications.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A crew member \u201cdrops\u201d his or her sandwich aboard the International Space Station (ISS), and it hits a surface. Quick! Grab it within five seconds or it is spoiled? If this rule really did apply, and the sandwich was picked up few seconds too late, not much bacteria would be found, according to the latest […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":30,"featured_media":273884,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"nasa_hds_core_meta_l10n":"en-US","nasa_hds_core_meta_article_editor":"","nasa_hds_core_meta_article_contacts":[],"nasa_hds_core_meta_article_topic":"","nasa_hds_core_meta_linked_locations":[],"nasa_hds_core_meta_article_related_articles":[],"hds_migrate_meta_pr_release_id":"","hds_migrate_meta_pr_release_type":"","nasa_hds_core_meta_location_x":"","nasa_hds_core_meta_location_y":"","nasa_hds_core_meta_gallery_images":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[2735,2864],"news-tags":[],"internal-terms":[],"coauthors":[8379],"parsely":{"version":"1.1.0","meta":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","headline":"Does the Five-Second Rule Apply Aboard the Space Station?","url":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/missions\/station\/does-the-five-second-rule-apply-aboard-the-space-station\/","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/missions\/station\/does-the-five-second-rule-apply-aboard-the-space-station\/"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/751216main_1_226.jpg?w=150&h=150&crop=1","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/751216main_1_226.jpg"},"articleSection":"Missions","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Beth Ridgeway"}],"creator":["Beth Ridgeway"],"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"NASA","logo":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/themes\/nasa\/assets\/images\/nasa-logo.svg"},"keywords":["NASA Centers & Facilities","Marshall Space Flight Center","International Space Station (ISS)"],"dateCreated":"2013-05-28T23:31:00Z","datePublished":"2013-05-28T23:31:00Z","dateModified":"2023-07-25T16:11:54Z"},"rendered":"<meta name=\"parsely-title\" content=\"Does the Five-Second Rule Apply Aboard the Space Station?\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-link\" content=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/missions\/station\/does-the-five-second-rule-apply-aboard-the-space-station\/\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-type\" content=\"post\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-image-url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/751216main_1_226.jpg?w=150&h=150&crop=1\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-pub-date\" content=\"2013-05-28T23:31:00Z\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-section\" content=\"Missions\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-tags\" content=\"NASA Centers & Facilities,Marshall Space Flight Center,International Space Station (ISS)\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-author\" content=\"Beth Ridgeway\" \/>","tracker_url":"https:\/\/cdn.parsely.com\/keys\/nasa.gov\/p.js"},"read_time":5,"time_ago":"11 years","featured_image":{"id":273884,"file":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/751216main_1_226.jpg","title":"751216main_1_226","alt":"Astronaut Sunita Williams, Expedition 14 flight engineer, places a sample collected using the swabbing unit from an International Space Station surface into the Lab-on-a-Chip Application Development - Portable Test System (LOCAD-PTS) cartridge. (NASA)","caption":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/262537"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/30"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=262537"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/262537\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":509026,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/262537\/revisions\/509026"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/273884"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=262537"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=262537"},{"taxonomy":"news-tags","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/news-tags?post=262537"},{"taxonomy":"internal-terms","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/internal-terms?post=262537"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=262537"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}