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Immortal Animal Discovered
Posted: Fri Mar 19, 2010 8:20 am
by Harbinger
The world's only immortal animal
By Bryan Nelson, Mother Nature Network
Posted Tue Mar 16, 2010 9:57am PDT
Related topics: Animals, Nature
More from Guest Bloggers blog
The turritopsis nutricula species of jellyfish may be the only animal in the world to have truly discovered the fountain of youth.
Since it is capable of cycling from a mature adult stage to an immature polyp stage and back again, there may be no natural limit to its life span. Scientists say the hydrozoan jellyfish is the only known animal that can repeatedly turn back the hands of time and revert to its polyp state (its first stage of life).
The key lies in a process called transdifferentiation, where one type of cell is transformed into another type of cell. Some animals can undergo limited transdifferentiation and regenerate organs, such as salamanders, which can regrow limbs. Turritopsi nutricula, on the other hand, can regenerate its entire body over and over again. Researchers are studying the jellyfish to discover how it is able to reverse its aging process.
Because they are able to bypass death, the number of individuals is spiking. They're now found in oceans around the globe rather than just in their native Caribbean waters. "We are looking at a worldwide silent invasion," says Dr. Maria Miglietta of the Smithsonian Tropical Marine Institute.
Bryan Nelson is a regular contributor to Mother Nature Network, where a version of this post originally appeared.
You think the people at PETA will care if we study this guy?
Posted: Fri Mar 19, 2010 9:47 am
by Orlion
Of course they would.... but then again would any one else care?
This is interesting... so it's essentially a phoenix but in jelly fish form?
Posted: Fri Mar 19, 2010 1:29 pm
by DukkhaWaynhim
It's a relief to know how we are being replaced as the dominant species on Earth.
Re: Immortal Animal Discovered
Posted: Fri Mar 19, 2010 2:06 pm
by wayfriend
Fascinating bit of news.
Because they are able to bypass death, the number of individuals is spiking.
Therein lies the rub, right?
Harbinger wrote:You think the people at PETA will care if we study this guy?
I don't get it.
Posted: Fri Mar 19, 2010 3:10 pm
by Avatar
Wow, that's awesome.
--A
Posted: Fri Mar 19, 2010 4:38 pm
by Vraith
Good thing they have tiny little memories...I mean, SURE, floating around on the waves, stinging people, having fish every night is fun, but eventually even that gets boring.
Posted: Fri Mar 19, 2010 4:53 pm
by aTOMiC
This is a very interesting piece of news. It certainly fires my sci fi imagination, giving me a few nifty ideas.
I agree with Vraith. Imortality is probably comprised mainly of crushing boredom. Perhaps if humans were able to adapt themselves in a similar manner, since our brains would be renewed along with the rest of our bodies, it would give us a fresh perspective every hundred years or so. But hopefully retaining an awareness of our legacy memories.
Nah. Still sounds boring.
Posted: Sat Mar 20, 2010 7:27 am
by Avatar
Not a chance. If I could live forever without suffering the ravages of aging, I'd go for it in a second. The opportunity to see what happens next is too great to turn down.
--A
Posted: Sat Mar 20, 2010 7:34 am
by Loredoctor
Avatar wrote:Not a chance. If I could live forever without suffering the ravages of aging, I'd go for it in a second. The opportunity to see what happens next is too great to turn down.
--A
Agreed.
Posted: Sat Mar 20, 2010 3:20 pm
by aTOMiC
Loremaster wrote:Avatar wrote:Not a chance. If I could live forever without suffering the ravages of aging, I'd go for it in a second. The opportunity to see what happens next is too great to turn down.
--A
Agreed.
I'm willing to bet a week's pay that after a thousand years or so we'd all be begging for someone to kill us.
So in a thousand years you guys better have $50 handy.
Posted: Sun Mar 21, 2010 4:13 pm
by Avatar
--A
Posted: Thu May 13, 2010 2:32 pm
by Ur Dead
Maybe they're immortal is because they can't reproduce. Not having sex in a thousand year would want you to go out and sting things.
and maybe they arn't try to sting things.
There are worse things than above.
Living a thousand years and never going to the bathroom.
Posted: Thu May 13, 2010 3:54 pm
by Avatar
As long as you don't
need to, that's alright.
--A
Posted: Thu May 20, 2010 10:33 pm
by Mooner
aTOMiC wrote:Loremaster wrote:Avatar wrote:Not a chance. If I could live forever without suffering the ravages of aging, I'd go for it in a second. The opportunity to see what happens next is too great to turn down.
--A
Agreed.
I'm willing to bet a week's pay that after a thousand years or so we'd all be begging for someone to kill us.
So in a thousand years you guys better have $50 handy.
Y'all gotta watch "The Man From Earth".
Posted: Mon May 31, 2010 3:53 pm
by Fist and Faith
Avatar wrote:Not a chance. If I could live forever without suffering the ravages of aging, I'd go for it in a second. The opportunity to see what happens next is too great to turn down.
Damn, I'm only 46, and there's
already days I get bored!
Posted: Mon May 31, 2010 4:15 pm
by Avatar
Sheesh, I wish I had the time to get bored.
--A