Deep inside an ant nest, some of the youngest members are primed to die for the group. When infection strikes, these baby ...

There’s no two ways about it: tardigrades are badass. These eight-legged, microscopic water-dwellers have survived the vacuum of space, extreme dehydration, and temperatures ranging from near absolute ...

In a small Danish cemetery, a researcher hovers over a fallen tree covered by a rich green mat. She collects samples of lichen and moss and places them into two separate coffee filters. Meanwhile, her ...

We know that the tiny tardigrade is one of the toughest creatures on the planet, and a newly discovered species of these miniature 'water bears' has given experts a deeper insight into how they can ...

Knowing the genes responsible for water bears’ radiation tolerance could lead to diverse applications, from cancer treatment to space exploration. A newly described species of tardigrade is giving ...

Harvard researchers identified a new fossilized species of tardigrade — known as “water bears” — scientists reported in an Aug. 6 paper in “Communications Biology.” Researchers used confocal laser ...

A baby tardigrade riding a nematode won $600 in Nikon's Small World in Motion Video Competition. Quinten Geldhof captured the video using a microscope and an iPhone. His setup cost under $1,000. The ...

Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. I write about biodiversity and the hidden quirks of the natural world. Imagine a creature so small it can fit between the grains ...

Microscopic tardigrades—plump, eight-legged arthropod relatives—are nearly indestructible, and their durability superpower may have helped them weather the deadliest mass extinction in Earth’s history ...

Multiple ancient and extinct species of tardigrades, aka “water bears,” can now be seen in unprecedented, high-resolution detail thanks to high-powered microscopy tools. With these new observations, ...

Breakthroughs, discoveries, and DIY tips sent every weekday. Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Multiple ancient and extinct species of tardigrades, aka “water ...