Why Tardigrades Are Awesome #shorts

Tardigrades are microscopic animals that are known for their incredible resilience. They can survive in extreme conditions that would kill most other animals, including crushing pressures, deep freezes, and decades without food or water. They can also survive intense amounts of radiation, up to 100 times the gamma radiation and 1000 times the X-ray radiation required to kill a human.

Scientists have now discovered that tardigrades have special proteins that protect their DNA from radiation damage. These proteins work by shielding the genes from radiation or holding the entire chromosome together extra tightly to keep it from coming apart. Scientists have been able to put these proteins into human cells and found that those cells were less damaged by radiation.

This discovery could have important implications for human health. It may be possible to use these proteins to protect people from radiation exposure, such as during space travel or in the event of a nuclear accident.

In addition to their incredible resilience, tardigrades are also fascinating creatures in their own right. They are found in all parts of the world, and they come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes. Some tardigrades are only a few millimeters long, while others can grow up to a centimeter. They can be found in a variety of habitats, including water, moss, and soil.

Tardigrades are also known for their ability to survive in space. In 2019, a group of tardigrades were sent to the moon on an Israeli spacecraft. The spacecraft crashed, but the tardigrades survived and were found on the lunar surface. This discovery showed that tardigrades are even more resilient than previously thought.