adonisA 46,000-year-old worm found in Siberian permafrost was brought back to life, and started having babies
Scientists on Thursday published a paper identifying and naming the worm, which they said belonged to a previously-unidentified species. #science
argv_minus_oneHow is that possible? I thought freezing caused cell membranes to tear apart.
That is very species dependent.
Some cold adapted species use various mechanisms to ensure that they can survive being frozen without that occurring.
One common answer is a form of natural antifreeze, preventing the crystallization from occurring where it would cause that kind of damage.
Then some deadly pathogen with this property could be buried in the ice, too. Lovely.