The turritopsis nutricula species of jellyfish may be the only animal in the world to have truly discovered the fountain of youth.

Since it is capable of cycling from a mature adult stage to an immature polyp stage and back again, there may be no natural limit to its life span. Scientists say the hydrozoan jellyfish is the only known animal that can repeatedly turn back the hands of time and revert to its polyp state (its first stage of life).

The key lies in a process called transdifferentiation, where one type of cell is transformed into another type of cell. Some animals can undergo limited transdifferentiation and regenerate organs, such as salamanders, which can regrow limbs. Turritopsi nutricula, on the other hand, can regenerate its entire body over and over again. Researchers are studying the jellyfish to discover how it is able to reverse its aging process.

Because they are able to bypass death, the number of individuals is spiking. They're now found in oceans around the globe rather than just in their native Caribbean waters. "We are looking at a worldwide silent invasion," says Dr. Maria Miglietta of the Smithsonian Tropical Marine Institute.

http://green.yahoo.com/blog/guest_blogg ... nimal.html

Boring.

Sure is. Studying this species of jellyfish may lead to scientific breakthroughs that may well surpass the "Pill that lets you live to 100".

It's still boring.

I think that it's really fascinating o.o
I'll probably add it to the encyclopaedia.

it's awesome

Agreed

How could you think that's boring? The picture itself is interesting.

Reverting to stem cells is what we've been searching for for ages

Oh, I really don't know. I just thought I was a human being too, you know... maybe have my own opinion...?

So be it

Owned

hmm interesting
although such stuff is not recommendable for a human :p

It might be soon.

exactly