This "Immortal Jellyfish" Can Live Forever

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Turritopsis dohrnii, the "immortal jellyfish", has captivated scientists due to its potential for biological immortality

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The immortal jellyfish is known for its remarkable ability to reverse its life cycle, potentially allowing it to live indefinitely

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Originally found in the Mediterranean Sea, it can now be found in various oceans worldwide, thriving in both tropical and temperate waters

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This jellyfish is quite small, reaching only about 4-5 millimeters (roughly the size of a pinky nail) when fully grown

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When stressed, injured, or facing starvation, the jellyfish can revert from its adult medusa stage back to the polyp stage, essentially restarting its life

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During this reversal, Turritopsis dohrnii undergoes a process called transdifferentiation, where adult cells transform back into earlier cell types, allowing it to "reset" biologically

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By cycling back to a youthful stage rather than dying, Turritopsis dohrnii could theoretically avoid natural death, making it one of the only known animals with this potential

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Despite its potential for immortality, it is not invincible. In the wild, it can still die from predation, disease, or environmental hazards

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Scientists are studying the immortal jellyfish to better understand the genetic mechanisms behind its life cycle reversal. This research could lead to advances in anti-aging and regenerative medicine

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The jellyfish's cellular regeneration capabilities inspire research in human medicine, particularly in areas like tissue repair and anti-aging therapies

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