Tardigrades, or water bears, are one of the world’s most indestructible life forms. They can survive being completely dried out, frozen, heated to over 300 degrees Fahrenheit (150C), irradiated several thousand times beyond what a human can withstand. Previous studies have shown that these creatures, measuring less than half a millimeter long, can enter a vegetative state to shield their bodies when exposed to extreme conditions. Scientists have sought to find the exact mechanisms