Descoperirea care schimbă tot ce știm despre viață: „Viermele diavol” trăiește în adâncurile Pământului, fără lumină și în condiții extreme

Scientists have discovered a remarkable creature, the 'devil worm', in extreme underground conditions, challenging previous beliefs about life in such environments. This tiny nematode, Halicephalobus mephisto, thrives at depths of 1.3 kilometers, feeding on microbes and contributing to a unique ecosystem. Its existence has reshaped our understanding of life's limits and origins, suggesting that life can survive without sunlight or oxygen-rich atmospheres. Researchers are studying its adaptations, including heat shock proteins and a unique reproductive strategy, to understand how it endures in harsh conditions.