Chinese scientists have successfully decoded the genome of tardigrades and revealed the key mechanism that makes the creature resistant to radiation, opening the door to a comprehensive understanding of the ultra-strong radiation tolerance mechanism.
Tardigrades, also known as water bears, are a type of aquatic invertebrate that can survive in extreme environments, including superstrong radiation, high temperature, high pressure, low temperature, dryness, and even the vacuum of outer space.
Their study, published in Science on Friday, can give scientists insights into what makes the tardigrades have such an ability to withstand harsh conditions.
After more than six years of arduous research, Chinese scientists have discovered and successfully established a laboratory culture system for tardigrades, mapped their high-quality genome, and uncovered their key mechanism of tolerance to ultra-strong radiation.
"We've found that the molecules, which play a role in anti-radiation protection for tardigrades, can significantly improve the anti-radiation ability of human cells after being transferred into human cells. This suggests that they have important potential application value and can provide a theoretical basis for the development of defense for human against ultra-strong radiation damage," said Zhang Lingqiang, researcher at the Academy of Military Medical Sciences under the People's Liberation Army Academy of Military Sciences.
Chinese scientists decode radiation-resisting powers of tardigrade
Chinese scientists decode radiation-resisting powers of tardigrade
The Palestinian death toll in Gaza Strip has risen to 50,423, with 114,638 injured, after nearly 18 months of Israeli military operations, Gaza health authorities said Wednesday.
Local medical sources noted that since the Israeli army resumed its operations on March 18, the number of fatalities has reached 1,066, while 2,597 have been injured.
In the past 24 hours alone, hospitals in Gaza received 24 fatalities and 55 injured. Many bodies remain trapped beneath the rubble, with ambulances and civil defense personnel struggling to reach them.
According to a report by the Times of Israel, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced on Wednesday that it had carried out strikes on over 50 sites belonging to Hamas and other militant groups, ahead of a major ground push into the southern Gaza Strip. During the day, dozens more strikes were carried out across Gaza.
In addition, the IDF issued a statement on Wednesday night that it had intercepted two rockets launched from northern Gaza. Air raid sirens were activated in areas near the Gaza Strip, and local media said that there are no reports of injuries or damage in the attack. The Al-Quds Brigades, the armed wing of Palestinian Islamic Jihad, claimed responsibility for the attack.
According to Palestinian media reports on Wednesday, the Israeli air force targeted a medical facility operated by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) in the Jabalia refugee camp in northern Gaza. The head of Gaza-based health authorities reported on the same day that 19 people were killed in the attack.
The Israeli military stated on Wednesday that it had struck a Hamas command center in Jabalia.
On Wednesday night, Al Jazeera quoted relevant sources as saying that Hamas officials had received Israel's response to the ceasefire proposal, which had been put forward by mediators and accepted by Hamas. Based on this response, they concluded that Israel had rejected the proposal.
Palestinian death toll in Gaza rises to 50,423
