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2 clusters · 8 sources · 2 days · First seen · Last updated

Discovery of heat-resistant eukaryotic amoeba

Overview

Researchers have identified a new species of amoeba, named ‘Incendiamoeba cascadensis’ or the ‘fire amoeba’, in the geothermal springs of Lassen Volcanic National Park, California. This organism sets a new upper temperature limit for eukaryotes, which were previously believed to be unable to reproduce at temperatures exceeding 60°C.

The amoeba can successfully divide at 63°C and remains motile at up to 64°C, though it can survive temperatures as high as 70°C by becoming immobile and forming a protective outer layer. Genetic analysis indicates the species possesses specific genes for DNA stabilization, environmental sensing, and proteostasis.

In related microbial research, studies have also demonstrated that certain terrestrial microorganisms can grow and produce methane in highly alkaline environments, mimicking the conditions of the subsurface ocean on Saturn’s moon, Enceladus.

Entities

Lassen Volcanic National Park · Incendiamoeba cascadensis · Syracuse University · NASA · Ludwig-Maximilians University of Munich

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

Timeline

  1. [TECHNOLOGY] 4 sources
    Microbial research reveals extreme survival limits in heat and alkaline environments

    New research highlights extreme microbial survival: a newly discovered amoeba thrives at 63°C, while terrestrial microbes are shown to potentially survive in the alkaline oceans of Saturn's moon, Enceladus.

  2. [TECHNOLOGY] 4 sources
    Fire amoeba discovered in California breaks eukaryotic heat limit

    Scientists have discovered a new amoeba species, Incendiamoeba cascadensis, that can reproduce at 63°C, breaking the previously assumed 60°C thermal limit for complex eukaryotic life.

Sources

biotechniques.com · gazetaprawna.pl · invdes.com.mx · laopinioncoruna.es · lasemainedansleboulonnais.fr · naukawpolsce.pap.pl · ocio.farodevigo.es · scitechdaily.com