FfFfFfFF 58,379 Posted October 14, 2020 Share Posted October 14, 2020 They might be tiny creatures with a comical appearance, but tardigrades are one of life’s great survivors. Now scientists say they have found a new species boasting an unexpected piece of armour: a protective fluorescent shield. Also known as water bears or moss piglets, tardigrades are microscopic, water-dwelling creatures, around 0.5mm to 1mm in length, that resemble a crumpled hoover bag with eight legs. But while their appearance invites amusing comparisons, it is their hardiness that has inspired awe: the creatures can survive the vacuum of space, extreme temperatures and pressures, and intense ionising and UV radiation. Among tardigrades’ survival tactics is the ability to shrivel up in a dormant state in which they can survive for decades, while they also produce proteins to protect their cells. Now another protective mechanism has been discovered that appears to help tardigrades cope with potentially lethal UV light, a fluorescent substance that absorbs such radiation and subsequently releases energy as blue light. “Our study suggests that [these creatures] can survive in the driest and sunniest places on Earth,” said Dr Sandeep Eswarappa, co-author of the research from the Indian Institute of Science. Source: https://www.theguardian.com/science/2020/oct/14/tardigrades-latest-superpower-a-fluorescent-protective-shield Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JusKeepBreathin 19,311 Posted October 14, 2020 Share Posted October 14, 2020 They are so amazing. The only living creatures that can survive extreme heat and extreme cold even lack of oxygen in space. "Nothing in the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity." -Martin Luther King Jr. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lippoutou 4,657 Posted October 14, 2020 Share Posted October 14, 2020 Wait if their lengths go between 0.5 and 1 mm it means we could see them with a naked eye right ? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SHALLOW 16,469 Posted October 14, 2020 Share Posted October 14, 2020 So cute Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Babel 41,640 Posted October 14, 2020 Share Posted October 14, 2020 57 minutes ago, Lippoutou said: Wait if their lengths go between 0.5 and 1 mm it means we could see them with a naked eye right ? Probably like a small dot, but yes, it’s very likely Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Killa 18,857 Posted October 14, 2020 Share Posted October 14, 2020 Cutest dot ever. If a creature like that can withstand this things. Surely some creature like that can survive in even more extreme conditions. Id say this whole thing is very very interresting. Def worth making technology to repicate it Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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