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
Saudi Arabia and Pakistan have reaffirmed that they will not seek normalization of ties with Israel, rejecting U.S. President Donald Trump's call for the two countries to join the Abraham Accords.
Saudi Arabia's position on the Palestinian issue remains unchanged, a Saudi source told Al Arabiya TV on Monday.
The source affirmed the need for "an irreversible pathway to a Palestinian state".
The remarks came after U.S. President Donald Trump urged Muslim-majority and regional countries to normalize relations with Israel and join the Abraham Accords before the U.S. reaches a peace agreement with Iran.
Saudi Arabia has repeatedly said it would not normalize relations with Israel without the establishment of a Palestinian state.
Pakistani Defense Minister Khawaja Asif said on Tuesday that Pakistan will not join any agreement to normalize ties with Israel, adding that the country will not accept any deal that "conflicts with its fundamental ideologies".
Trump on Monday urged Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Egypt, Jordan, Turkey and Pakistan -- countries involved in mediating U.S.-Iran talks -- to immediately join the Abraham Accords, warning that otherwise they should not participate in the mediation.
He added that if a U.S.-Iran deal is reached, Iran should also join the agreement.
The Abraham Accords, brokered by the United States in 2020 during Trump's first term, were established between the Israeli government and Arab countries including the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Sudan and Morocco, aimed at rapidly advancing the normalization of relations between Israel and Arab countries.
Before the outbreak of the latest round of Israeli-Palestinian conflict in October 2023, the United States had been pushing for normalization between Saudi Arabia and Israel.
After the conflict erupted, Saudi Arabia suspended normalization talks with Israel.
Saudi Arabia, Pakistan reject Trump's Abraham Accords demand
