Hunt for Earth 2.0, Africa's 'King Arthur' was real, robots serve Big Macs, and should you shoot Bigfoot if you see him? All this and more in our latest weird science newsletter The findings revealed significantly fewer sperm successfully completing the course under simulated microgravity compared to normal Earth conditions. ‌ Importantly, their swimming strength remained unchanged - their movement capabilities stayed consistent - indicating it's their sense of direction, rather than their physical ability, that becomes impaired without gravity's subtle influences. However, the study published in Communications Biology offered a ray of optimism for space-based conception, as researchers discovered that introducing progesterone - the reproductive hormone released by eggs that aids sperm guidance - helped more cells overcome their zero-gravity confusion. This suggests the egg's chemical signal may still be effective, though the research team acknowledges further investigation is required to establish precisely how and when this assistance occurs. Lead researcher Dr Nicole McPherson, from the Robinson Research Institute at Adelaide University, explained: "This is the first time we have been able to show that gravity is an important factor in sperm's ability to navigate through a channel like the reproductive tract. ‌ "We observed a significant reduction in the number of sperm that were able to successfully find their way through the chamber maze in microgravity conditions compared to normal gravity. "This was experienced right across all models, despite no changes to the way sperm physically move. This indicates that their loss of direction was not due to a change in motility but other elements." Sperm aren't the only ones struggling in space. In animal studies, brief exposure to simulated microgravity during fertilisation severely impacted early development: mouse eggs showed a roughly 30% decline in successful fertilisation after only 4 hours in zero-gravity environments. ‌ Extended exposure worsened outcomes, leading to developmental setbacks and reduced cell formation in the foetus. Nevertheless, numerous healthy embryos did develop - encouraging signs for future space colonisation, while highlighting that reproduction beyond Earth presents considerable challenges. The research collaborated with Adelaide's Andy Thomas Centre for Space Resources, where scientists concentrate on the practical aspects of sustained off-world habitation. Associate Professor John Culton explained: "As we progress toward becoming a spacefaring or multi-planetary species, understanding how microgravity affects the earliest stages of reproduction is critical." A recent study also cautioned that humanity remains far from achieving 'space babies', as radiation exposure, microgravity conditions, and even hazardous lunar dust could compromise fertility, disrupt pregnancies, and pose risks to future generations. Article continues below The space environment presents severe challenges to human reproduction. Radiation has the capacity to damage DNA and increase cancer susceptibility, while microgravity interferes with hormones, gamete quality and the development of embryos. However, the threats extend beyond radiation and weightlessness alone. Hazardous dust particles, scarce resources, contamination within sealed spacecraft, disrupted circadian rhythms and psychological stress all pose dangers to both maternal and foetal wellbeing - with potentially lasting, hereditary consequences. ENJOYED THIS STORY? Choose Daily Mirror as a 'Preferred Source' on Google News for quick access to the news you value.