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Technology
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Jun 30, 2025
Ancient worm revived after 46,000 years in Siberian ice
In a wild science moment, researchers managed to wake up a roundworm that had been frozen in Siberian permafrost for 46,000 years.
This ancient worm, named Panagrolaimus kolymaensis, gives us a rare peek into what life was like during the Ice Age and how some organisms can survive for thousands of years in extreme conditions.
TL;DR
Tricks to survive harsh environments
Turns out, the worm survived by making trehalose—a sugar that helps protect its cells from freezing and drying out.
Scientists also found that gently dehydrating the worms before freezing helped them bounce back better.
These tricks could inspire new ways to help other species handle harsh environments or even preserve endangered animals in the future.