Scientists have revived a 24000 year old bdelloid rotifer from Siberian permafrost, a microscopic “zombie worm” that can withstand freezing, starvation, and even reproduce without a partner. The breakthrough underscores how resilient life can be in extreme conditions, while also raising new worries that thawing Arctic permafrost could awaken ancient microbes and mobilize stored carbon.
Chilean scientists are gearing up for a landmark space mission designed to see how life behaves under space conditions. The spacecraft will carry six microorganisms taken from extreme habitats such as the Atacama Desert and Antarctica, then test their survival in an oxygen free environment. Researchers hope the results will clarify how life may begin and persist beyond Earth.
Your news, in seconds
Get the Beige app — every story in 60 words, updated hourly. Free on iOS & Android.
Swipe through stories, personalise your feed, and save articles for later — all on the app.
