New species of tardigrade reveals secrets of radiation-resisting powers
Knowing the genes responsible for water bears’ radiation tolerance could lead to diverse applications, from cancer treatment to space exploration. Originally published by Miryam Naddaf , Nature, on 24 October 2024 The new species is similar in appearance to this Hypsibius sp. tardigrade, photographed using an electron microscope.Credit: Robert Schuster/Science Photo Library A newly described species of tardigrade is giving scientists insights into what makes these tiny eight-legged creatures so resistant to radiation . Tardigrades , also known as water bears , have long fascinated scientists with their ability to withstand extreme conditions , including radiation at levels nearly 1,000 times higher than the lethal dose for humans . There are around 1,500 known tardigrade species, but only a handful are well-studied. Now, scientists have sequenced the genome of a species new to science , and revealed some of the molecular mechanisms that give tardigrades their extraordinary re