Mighty Mice Return From Space

Short Wave

NPR

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4.7 • 6K Ratings

🗓️ 21 January 2020

⏱️ 11 minutes

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Summary

Some very unusual mice with big muscles are back on Earth after a month on the International Space Station. NPR science correspondent Jon Hamilton shares the story of the two researchers behind the experiment. What they learn could help people with disabling bone and muscle diseases and another group with muscle problems, astronauts. Follow host Maddie Sofia on Twitter @maddie_sofia. Email the show at [email protected].

Transcript

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0:00.0	You're listening to shortwave from NPR.
0:06.0	Maddie, if I hear with NPR science course monitor, John Hamilton, would you prefer J. Ham?
0:11.6	J. J. Hammer?
0:13.6	I'll be whoever you want me to be, Maddie.
0:17.2	So you are here to talk to us about big muscles.
0:21.4	Right.
0:22.4	I've been working out and getting.
0:25.7	These are big muscles attached to mice.
0:27.7	Like, we talking mighty mouths?
0:30.6	The little mighty mouths guy?
0:32.3	Here he comes that mighty mouth.
0:35.2	Right.
0:35.9	Like mighty mouths except these mice got all bumped up after scientists modified their genes.
0:41.0	Why are we giving mice bigger muscles, John?
0:43.8	Actually, there is a serious issue here.
0:46.0	The way scientists were able to increase the muscle mass in mice, it could ultimately lead
0:50.5	to new treatments for people with diseases that cause muscles to waste away.
0:54.2	You know, so diseases like muscular dystrophy.
0:56.3	All right.
0:57.3	I'm on board with that.
0:58.3	Go on.
0:59.3	And these mighty mice have something else in common with the superhero mouths.
	...

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