First results on Scott Kelly after year in space reveal space travel changes DNA – USA TODAY

The first results of the aptly-named Twins Study are in: Scott Kelly's year in space changed his DNA. It also made him taller! USA TODAY NETWORK

Astronauts Mark and Scott Kelly speak during the 2017 Breakthrough Prize at NASA Ames Research Center on December 4, 2016 in Mountain View, California.(Photo: Kelly Sullivan, Getty Images for Breakthrough Pr)

Space travel, it turns out, does more than make us weightless, it can even makethe endsof your chromosomes bigger.

The first results of a study delving into the impact space travel has on a person's body were released Monday. Appropriately named the Twins Study, the research looks deep into the effect galaxy travel had on astronaut Scott Kelly compared to his identical twin brother and former astronaut Mark.The brothers shared biological samples before during and after Scott's nearlyyear-long foray into space last year. The entire time, Mark was earth-bound.

Scott, when he returned to Earth, was a full two inches taller. But the preliminary results went far deeper. Here's what was found:

- Scott's telomeres on the ends of his chromosomesin his white blood cells lengthened while in space. Researchers said it could be attributed to increased exercise and his reduced calorie intake during flight. The telomeres shortened when he returned. Talomerestypically decrease in lengthas a person ages.

- The study found the level of chemical DNA modification slowed while in space but then returned to normal when returning to Earth.

- Scott's cognitive abilities in speed and accuracy slowed just slightly afterthe mission.

- Scott's bone formation slowed duringthe second half of his trip. Also, there was a spike in inflammation right after landing, which could be because of the stresses of re-entry.

- The study determined a stress hormone was "low normal" throughout the trip but increased over the course of the expedition. The study said the hormone, linked to bone and muscle health, was, "likely impacted by heavy exercise countermeasures during flight."

- Two dominant bacterial groups were more prevalent in Scott when he was in space versuswhen he was on Earth.

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First results on Scott Kelly after year in space reveal space travel changes DNA - USA TODAY