What are Water Bears
Tardigrades, more commonly known as "Water Bears" are tiny little 8 legged invertebrates measuring between 0.02 in (0.5 mm) - 0.047 in (1.2mm). They were first discovered in 1773 and have since been found just about everywhere, including the most extreme environments on Earth. Tardigrades are considered the hardiest animal on Earth, able to survive near Absolute Zero (−458 °F; −272 °C) up to about 300 °F ( 150 °C). These little survivors have been found in boiling hot springs, the top of the Himalayas and even the freezing waters off Antartica.
Tardigrades have been on Earth for around 500 Million years and there are over 1,100 species of them. Tardigrades have a head, a 3 - segmented barrel shaped body, 4 pairs of legs and a rear body segment. Most Tardigrades have "eyes" or photo-receptors similar to most insects. They have brains, and tubular mouths with a digestive system. They do not have a respiratory system, but rather "breathe" through their skin. Some Tardigrades are asexual but most require a male and female Tardigrade for reproduction.
So What's So Special
These tiny little creatures are considered to be practically invincible. Scientists have revived them from being frozen for 30 years, after which they lived and even went on to reproduce. Tardigrades have even been sent into outer space and left in a vacuum exposed to Space Radiation. They were revived and survived when they returned to Earth. These animals have the key or rather keys to surviving in both extreme environments as well as during a long hibernation. Their ability to survive all extremes, including losing 97%- 99% of the liquid in their bodies, for up to 30 years has scientist studying them for their secrets to invincibility.
Since Mars is the next frontier, Outer Space Exploration will expose the human body to Space Radiation. Traveling to Mars will require a long time in Space without the protection of Earth's Magnetic Field. This has the potential of exposing the travelers to Mars with lethal doses of Space Radiation. Since Tardigrades are known to withstand 1000 times more radiation than most organisms without cellular breakdown or death, their DNA is being studied. Scientists have recently discovered a protein that the Tardigrades use to help protect their cells from radiation damage. The study revealed that human cultured cells were able to survive about 40% more radiation than normal when treated with this one Tardigrade protein. The scientists will continue to look for other secrets to the Tardigrades ability to withstand DNA damage from radiation, since there must be other proteins or mechanisms that protect them from radiation 1000's times stronger than what the human cultured cells were able to withstand.
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Resources:
Wikimedia.org
https://www.siliconrepublic.com/innovation/alien-life-astrobiology-penelope-boston
https://www.siliconrepublic.com/innovation/tardigrade-water-bear-cryogenics
http://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/article-abstract/2576576