'The tardigrades are doing something we hadn't expected,' tardigrade researcher Bob Goldstein said.
The mysteries of how tardigrades survive some of the most extreme environments imaginable have potentially been solved.Tardigrades, sometimes adorably known as water bears or moss piglets, are microscopic animals capable of enduring conditions that would typically be fatal for most life forms, ranging from extreme temperatures, both high and low pressures, lack of air, radiation, dehydration, and even the vacuum of space.
'What we saw surprised us,' Bob Goldstein, a tardigrade researcher at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, said in a statement. 'The tardigrades are doing something we hadn't expected.'This floods the tardigrades' bodies with DNA-repairing molecules, which rapidly fix any damage caused by intense radiation exposure. We also have DNA repair genes, but these are expressed in much lower levels than in tardigrades.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Analysis Reveals Colorado River Water Used More for Growing Crops than for DrinkingA new analysis has found that more Colorado River water is used to grow a single crop than for drinking water, business needs, and industrial uses combined across the seven-state river basin. The analysis highlights the significant usage of water for growing alfalfa, which is used to feed cattle. The study provides a comprehensive understanding of where the Colorado River water goes and includes estimates for water exported outside the basin, water use in Mexico, and water lost to evaporation.
Read more »
Teen Students' Water Gun Game Triggers Large Police ResponseA group of high school seniors playing a water gun game resembling real firearms caused a large police response at a parking garage in Schaumburg. Another suburban police department has issued a warning about the game.
Read more »
Water Documenters: Read meeting notes from the Metropolitan Water District of Salt Lake & SandyMeeting notes from the March 25 meeting of the Metropolitan Water District of Salt Lake & Sandy.
Read more »
South Jordan combats water scarcity with new recycling water technologyAs the Utah population grows, so does our need for clean water. One city is aiming to be more water-wise.
Read more »
World Water Day: Chicago groups lead effort to protect fresh water, Lake MichiganThe national science foundation awarded up to $160 million over 10 years to Chicago's water resource non-profit, Current, and founding Great Lakes ReNEW, a regional collaboration to tackle major environmental issues.
Read more »
California's Water Board eyeing new water-saving regulations statewideSome critics of these newly revised rules, which are not as stringent as those proposed last summer, have serious concerns about these 'watered-down' regulations.
Read more »