Tardigrades
Perhaps the epitome of the cute-ugly, creepy-cool divide, tardigrades are marvels of nature. The microscopic creatures, also called water bears, are known as much for their pudgy, almost comical, appearances as their ability to survive almost anything thrown there way, from starvation to radiation. When it comes to tardigrades, Live Science leaves no micro-stone unturned. Here's the latest news on all things tardigrades, from recent discoveries, to dissections of their oddities, to breakdowns of various mysteries.
Latest about tardigrades
![A microscopic tardigrade on a black background](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Sc3ZB2bmp37PKJ64kmNsU4-320-80.jpg)
Tardigrade proteins could slow aging in humans, small cell study finds
By Jennifer Nalewicki published
In lab-dishes studies, proteins drawn from tiny tardigrades slowed human cell metabolism.
![a microscopic image of a blueish tardigrade on its side](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/5oahBbpsvQhRdcTFrTG8RR-320-80.jpg)
What are tardigrades and why are they nearly indestructible?
By Mindy Weisberger, Alina Bradford last updated
Reference Tardigrades, often called water bears or moss piglets, are near-microscopic animals that are extremely resilient.
![A camera shows SpaceX's Starman mannequin and Elon Musk's Tesla Roadster as they fly above a ROUND Earth after launching on the first Falcon Heavy rocket test flight on Feb. 6, 2018.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/2XEVCLwvsg4VwnCgtyaqc6-320-80.jpg)
15 of the weirdest things we have launched into space
By Harry Baker published
From a dummy-driven Tesla, to a giant disco ball, to U.S. presidents' hair, here are some of the weirdest things humans have put into space.
![super close up image of a light pink tardigrade next to some sort of light green material](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/49fFZ6SXEhnAK4XcYNwMkm-320-80.jpg)
Tardigrade proteins could help stabilize drugs without refrigeration, scientists say
By Nicoletta Lanese published
Proteins found in tardigrades could be used to stabilize drugs that would otherwise need refrigeration.
![Water bears - tardigrades](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Rxvwme3GPxyfyzfxe52CHJ-320-80.jpg)
8 Reasons Why We Love Tardigrades
By Mindy Weisberger last updated
Whether you know them as water bears or moss piglets, tardigrades are microscopic bundles of awesomeness.
![null](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/tup6PiGeE67GmYBt5RrcoZ-320-80.jpg)
30-Year Deep Freeze Just Puts Tardigrade in the Mood
By Mindy Weisberger last updated
Two tardigrades and one egg that spent the past three decades cooling their jets in a researchers' freezer were recently resuscitated.
![a mold pig](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/F5jfWRetThyKQTsvFZGFKg-320-80.jpeg)
Move Over, Tardigrades — 'Mold Pigs' Are the New Micro-Beast in Town
By Nicoletta Lanese last updated
A paleobiologist uncovered a never-before-seen microinvertebrate in Dominican amber.
![A new species of tardigrade (not shown here) was discovered in a parking lot in Japan.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/iX4kMvGHWksG7L3xfNhjMf-320-80.jpg)
An Even-Weirder-Than-Usual Tardigrade Just Turned Up in a Parking Lot
By Stephanie Pappas last updated
The world's newest species of water bear has eight legs and eggs covered with tentacles.
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