Friday, June 18, 2010

The Planet's Only Immortal Animal

A species of jellyfish has evolved the potential for immortality - and they're starting to spread.
The species turritopsis nutricula is able to transform itself from its mature state back into a polyp (immature jellyfish) and then back again.The species, which is only 4-5 mm in diameter, performs this miraculous feat using a process known as transdifferentiation, in which one type of cell transforms into another. While this sounds a lot like what happens in stem cells, the process is distinct.


Turritopsis nutricula isn't the only species to use the technique; salamanders use the process to regrow limbs, while chickens utilize it to repair damaged eyes. Turritopsis nutricula, however, is the only species able to regenerate its entire body. The entire transformation from adult to polyp takes place very rapidly, helping to explain why it has never been observed in the wild. The process, however, has been observed in the lab, and so far 100 per cent of specimens have been capable of the transformation.


Theoretically, the process can go on indefinitely, which may help to explain why scientists have noticed a spike in the number of these jellyfish in the oceans. "We are looking at a worldwide silent invasion," said Dr Maria Miglietta of the Smithsonian Tropical Marine Institute.
The jellyfish are believed to have originated in the Caribbean, but, due to the common shipping practice of emptying ballast water in foreign ports, is now found all over the globe.
While the jellyfish can potentially live forever, it's unlikely that one ever will.
That's because like other jellyfish, Turritopsis nutricula is often eaten by other animals and readily succumbs to disease.


Other larger long-lived species have a better chance at reaching impressive ages. Bowhead whales, tortoises and koi fish can all live to be more than 200 years old. Plant species can live even longer. The oldest known bristlecone pine tree is nearly 5,000 years old.
That isn't stopping scientists around the globe from searching for the secret that allows this unique jellyfish to reverse the aging process.

Mastering transdifferentiation could be the key to discovering a real fountain of youth....and when we do that, we could live, if not forever, at least a very, very long time; enough time to do over all those things we did badly the first time.

71 comments:

  1. Anonymous9:34:00 PM

    Hi sweetie

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  2. Anonymous9:42:00 PM

    It would be nice if the scientists could find a cure for all the ailments in the world and maybe mankind wouldn't be so evil in the world and we could spread love and joy around...this would truly be a better world.

    Are these jellyfish as poisonous as the box jellyfish ???

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  3. I am going to start eating jelly fish.

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  4. Had a hard time getting on tonight but I think it is my local Rogers server.The internet just wouldn't connect. It wasn't Blogger's fault for a change.

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  5. Anonymous9:50:00 PM

    Well at least you can see the oil in them...Hahaha

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  6. I wonder if I ate enough jelly-fish I would start getting younger.

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  7. Anonymous9:52:00 PM

    I have that same problem sometime with AOL , it's not very often.

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  8. Forget the peppers; I'm going to find some jelly-fish for Brian. Probably easier to find.

    So, how's it going???

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  9. Anonymous9:54:00 PM

    Maybe they do have a secret to staying young...worth a try...Hahaha

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  10. By the way they are not poisonous.There is an over-population of the jelly-fish now. I think that's good.There is a wealth of information in those little guys. Think of the possibilities.

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  11. Anonymous9:56:00 PM

    How is Nana??? I know Brian is in good spirits, he will give you your jiggle dance soon...or maybe he has already..HUH???

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  12. Anonymous9:59:00 PM

    I'm still going to search to see if I can find some pepper seeds I know there has to be an outlet out there somewhere.

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  13. I took Nana out for a little walk and a cup of tea. She does love to go out with me but she tires very quickly and leaves more and more of her business to me. She is content with her life though and I am pleased with that.She bought the boys some hats for Canada day and that was all she was up to. it made her happy.

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  14. Anonymous10:05:00 PM

    I left 2 notes on the coffin post you are bad.
    I'm giving my man and dad their father dad dinner and gifts tomorrow from me.
    Sunday my babies will have their daddy to themselves, I think they will like that.

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  15. I think that is a good plan. Dad will love it and Gl will enjoy a day being pampered by his kids.

    A lot of our family is coming tomorrow. Sunday is for Brian and me.

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  16. Anonymous10:11:00 PM

    I know you enjoys taking her out for a cup of tea...and to know you are doing your best to keep her happy.
    Nana trusts you to take care of her affairs and know you will do the right thing.
    I know you are happy and content to know you are making her happy .
    I know the guys will love their hats.

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  17. Anonymous10:16:00 PM

    Sha told James to come down here and get his present and he will. I don't think she will ever stay with them and that's one reason I will not move to Reno.
    Nan says I can have her musty butt, because that's what sha wants, but I couldn't take her away.

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  18. Anonymous10:18:00 PM

    I know Brian will enjoy the family as always...it's nice to have a close family.
    Oh yes, I know where you will be Sunday and you will have your man all by yourself...you go girl.

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  19. A couple of Nana's teeth broke because she has Osteoporosis. Now she has trouble chewing. The dental surgeon took them out but Nana would not have implants put in. Sh said she was too old to go through all that. it has reduced the kinds of food she can eat.

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  20. She is a little devil. She stopped taking some of her heart medication.

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  21. Brian is cheerful. I am having more trouble dealing with his health problems than he is.

    Any way,we are having a barbeque to morrow. I hope I got enough for everyone. I always get too much food because I would hate to have not enough( how embarassing)

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  22. Are you cooking a nice meal for Dad and LS tomorrow??

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  23. Anonymous10:26:00 PM

    Nana is a very strong-will lady and I admire her fot it so very much.
    Sweetie...I never fed my babies baby food, I fed them what I ate, I got a couple of blenders and blended their food and fed it to them, maybe you could try it on some foods to see if she like it.
    You can do fruits.

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  24. Anonymous10:33:00 PM

    Yes, cooking turnip greens/bottoms candided yams chicken/dumplings and a brisket going to cook it outside and a whole lot more stuff.
    I will have Sis/Nan/James Chris and his wife and aunt Mae...and you know dad is in the middle of the mix.I will bake some sweets and hot water cornbread Nan is bring something, don't know what.

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  25. I will suggest we use our blender for meats. That is the biggest problem.We are using a lot of ground meats but I bet she misses the taste of steak.

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  26. Thanks for the suggestion. You are a font of good ideas, as usual.

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  27. Anonymous10:39:00 PM

    Brian isn't worried because he trusts you and know if help is out there you will find it.

    I hate running out of food and if your guys is like mine they eat a lot... I think because it's different from what they eat everyday and it's at mom's house.

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  28. If we have a lot of leftovers, almost everyone takes home a doggy-bag, especially the students.

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  29. Anonymous10:45:00 PM

    Hell you would be full of ideas too if you was as lazy as I am.[giggles]
    I know she will like the taste of steak and that will make her so happy.
    I told you I was raised in the country and we raised our food and smoked our meats. Our nearest neighbor was about a half mile now they are just accross the street.

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  30. So, a housing development grew up around you?? Bummer.

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  31. Anonymous10:47:00 PM

    re-sent my mail please

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  32. Boy that is a good Criminal Minds. The victim in this one is fighting back and winning. I love it.

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  33. Anonymous10:52:00 PM

    Yws, but we still control our part and no one lives on our side .

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  34. Anonymous10:53:00 PM

    Are you on A&E???

    Got my e-mail but it disappeared can you send it again???

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  35. Anonymous10:54:00 PM

    I got Criminals Minds now.

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  36. Anonymous10:59:00 PM

    I just sent you an e-mail.

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  37. Anonymous11:02:00 PM

    I bet some of the family will be looking for your famous chili.
    The only things worth watching is on A&E.

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  38. I just read your comments under the coffin joke. Wow!You are bad tonight.

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  39. Anonymous11:12:00 PM

    Girl, I am so bad and I just may start wearing panties lets see...Nawwww... I don't think so, just wear them when I go out in public.

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  40. Anonymous11:15:00 PM

    hahaha Bet you didn't know what you was getting into when you met me???
    Yes I'm hot tonight.

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  41. I have more on Tony Hayward but it may be too soon for another post.He sure is getting people's backs up.They love to hate him.
    I feel just a tiny bit sorry for him. He's just a patsy.

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  42. No, I did not know what I was getting into.A wild and crazy, voodoo woman who is also an excellent chef and seamstress and,incidentally, a gazillionair.

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  43. And since I have been reading up on the family and everything they do and have, I understand better the need for security.

    Your father-in-law is a very well known man.

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  44. Anonymous11:29:00 PM

    I feel a little sorryfor him, but lets use his ass while he's hot..
    I seen on the wire service at Abe's they want to know all about hin, his wife/kids and how many times he use the toliet.
    They are going to use him like they did Tiger/Jesse good for the ratings.

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  45. Well I'll try to write it up when we go off . I have to agree that we should strike while the iron is hot. I can't stay up too late though. People will be arriving by ten o'clock to morrow.

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  46. Anonymous11:33:00 PM

    I had to get my dictionary to see what a gazillionair was .
    Ha !!! don't I wish.

    Well one thing I know he's a crazy old coot but a lovable one.

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  47. Steve and family are coming early so Steve can lay some stone for Brian. At least he is being sensible about it.

    Sunday we will be going with Dale and Barb. They love fish too.I must find a picture of them. It will amuse you. He is a huge guy and she is a tiny little thing. We all have to talk loud because she won't wear her hearing aid. People ffrown at us in restaurants because we are all yelling at her.

    I'm putting a picture of my favorite goalie in drafts.

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  48. Anonymous11:37:00 PM

    I told dad about the book and he just laugh and said who would want to read a bunch of junk about him.
    He says he has read some of the books that was wrote about some of the guys and a lot of it is made up to sound good and if they only wrote the real truth people wouldn't buy it.

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  49. Anonymous11:39:00 PM

    I answered you and do you agree???

    No we won't stay on you need to be fresh and ready for bear tomorrow.

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  50. I put Sammy in drafts under goalie. He looks so proud of himself.

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  51. Anonymous11:43:00 PM

    I got a photo of the "SMILE" post and he's just to cutr.
    How's Jakey's doing??
    Is Shayne and Jordan coming with Steve ???

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  52. Anonymous11:48:00 PM

    Sammy isn't half as pound as his Gunna and Guppa I will get it and the girls still have their choice and Jill still tell Sha that Jakey is the more cuter as she says,and all hers and she will ask his mama for him when she get bigger.

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  53. I love that smile photo. He is one sassy guy and he is starting to give his mama some lip lately.
    They are getting sex education at school and he thinks the whole thing is disgusting. He doesn't like the word vagina so he calls it the 'Las Vegas'. He said he'll never put his weenie near a Las Vegas.
    Jakey is not developing at the same rate as his brother. He is a couple of years behind. It breaks my heart but he is okay.

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  54. Anonymous11:53:00 PM

    My PC has a little video bar on the side and my favoriate pictures show up and Jill likes looking at Jakey with Kermit the frog I think that's what it is.
    Jakey is adorable.
    Both twins are very handsome.

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  55. I believe Shayne and Jordan are coming.They love their Grandpa.I think they have a little gift for him.

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  56. Anonymous11:58:00 PM

    Let Jakey go at his own pace, he's not as large so it's okay if he;s not developing as fast as Sammy but he will catch up.
    My prayers are for him to be healthy and strong.
    Sammy is getting at that age but Jaye can handle him don't worry.

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  57. Did you get my last email?
    Dad is wrong. His book would be a best seller but the movie would be better. I can see Bobby DeNiro riding around the casino on that scooter thing.

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  58. Anonymous12:03:00 AM

    Brian wil be so happy and proud on both his days and just think he may do a little poking on the beach.[giggles]

    Oh yes; I told Lina she could join us at any time we would be please to have her.
    It's about that old magic hour.

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  59. Anonymous12:06:00 AM

    Yes I got it and I will try to make him see it will immortalize him on paper..I will tell him maybe I can get the recipe lady to write it ...I will have to work on him he's a stubbon old man and maybe we could get Sean Peann to play Gil and DC to play Henry.hahaha

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  60. Anonymous12:10:00 AM

    Awwww shit girl, I'm full of it tonight.
    Can't you see me punching the crap out of DC old ass.
    You know DC is 2 years younger than my man, but my man looks to be about 50.

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  61. Yes I will post the article that I have ready. I will have to leave the Hayward thing for now.

    I had fun tonight, thankyou.

    I hope to heaven you never have to come this far to get a fish fry. My heart really goes out to the people of your state and all they have been through the last few years. It seems impossible that things will ever recover. I hope the world comes to your rescue.

    I haven't checked the live link today.I will in a minute.

    Luv and happiness to you and your family..from your shrinking ass friend.
    I think I will post a picture of me and my shrinking ass so you can see and give me some of your valuable advice.

    Luv& Hugs...PIC

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  62. Anonymous12:15:00 AM

    We should be up and running next week, I heard dad in the kitchen getting his crap together for his punch...he gives Gilly a little taste of beer and I told him he better not make my little man a booze hound and he says Gilly don't want anymore it don't taste good to him , try to give him some and he shakes his head and say no.

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  63. Anonymous12:19:00 AM

    Gil is tall and he's big but he's don't have an ounce of fat on him yet.

    Where did you put the 10 pounds???

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  64. Shit, I'm sorry.I'll delete that last comment.I wasn't thinking.

    Sean Penne would be an excellent choice.I don't know how to spell his name.

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  65. Anonymous12:22:00 AM

    I had fun tonight and we will have more just watch we are fixing to fly.

    Goodnite sweetie and here's hoping the weather stay good and you all have a joyful time this weekend and I will leave you notes over the weekend.
    GOODNITE...KISSES & HUGS...PIC
    Kiss the ROCK

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  66. PPS: Don't let him give my Gilly any punch.He and his wild mama don't need any juice to get moving.

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  67. PPPS: the new blog will be a blast.

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  68. Anonymous12:28:00 AM

    Your ass sure don't look small sitting on the steps with Maxy and Brian...
    Brian will let you know when it start getting small. Hahaha

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  69. Right,in that picture I was quite chunky. In the last 5/6 weeks I have lost the fat.

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  70. Anonymous12:36:00 AM

    PPS: Right on sister, that Gilly is a mover and you have to be on your toes to keep up with him..

    You have a great weekend and I know the new blog will be a blast.

    Good night dear friend and I will be under the shade tree in the tire swing.
    NITE....PIC

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  71. Anonymous12:37:00 AM

    PPPS: you are moving around more, just wait it will all come back and you will have to pull out your fat clothes again....nite...PIC

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