Tardigrades, with about 40,000 cells, can survive extreme pressures (600 MPa) and rapid decompression, and remain viable when dehydrated and rehydrated. Using perfluorocarbon as a pressure medium, researchers demonstrated that tardigrades can remain viable in an anhydrobiotic state, with their survival dependent on the amount of water in their bodies. This dehydration/water-absorption mechanism could be used for preservation. In a separate study, researchers investigated how dsRNA (double-stranded RNA) ingested by Caenorhabditis elegans could cause genetic interference. They found that when C. elegans fed on bacteria expressing dsRNA, it could specifically reduce gene expression. Three genes were tested: unc-22, fem-1, and gfp. Feeding on bacteria expressing dsRNA from these genes caused specific phenotypic changes, such as twitching in unc-22 and female development in fem-1. The effects were reversible and did not result in permanent genetic changes. The study showed that dsRNA could interfere with gene expression in C. elegans when ingested, and that this process was gene-specific. The effects were mediated by dsRNA, as bacteria expressing only the sense or antisense strand did not cause phenotypic changes. This method was less effective than direct microinjection, but it provided a new way to deliver dsRNA to organisms. The research highlights the potential of RNA-mediated transfer of information between organisms and species. It is not yet clear whether such mechanisms play a role in natural ecological interactions, such as antiviral defense or communication during symbiosis. This work was conducted by Kunihiro Seki and Masato Toyoshima from Kanagawa University, and Lisa Timmons and Andrew Fire from the Carnegie Institution of Washington.Tardigrades, with about 40,000 cells, can survive extreme pressures (600 MPa) and rapid decompression, and remain viable when dehydrated and rehydrated. Using perfluorocarbon as a pressure medium, researchers demonstrated that tardigrades can remain viable in an anhydrobiotic state, with their survival dependent on the amount of water in their bodies. This dehydration/water-absorption mechanism could be used for preservation. In a separate study, researchers investigated how dsRNA (double-stranded RNA) ingested by Caenorhabditis elegans could cause genetic interference. They found that when C. elegans fed on bacteria expressing dsRNA, it could specifically reduce gene expression. Three genes were tested: unc-22, fem-1, and gfp. Feeding on bacteria expressing dsRNA from these genes caused specific phenotypic changes, such as twitching in unc-22 and female development in fem-1. The effects were reversible and did not result in permanent genetic changes. The study showed that dsRNA could interfere with gene expression in C. elegans when ingested, and that this process was gene-specific. The effects were mediated by dsRNA, as bacteria expressing only the sense or antisense strand did not cause phenotypic changes. This method was less effective than direct microinjection, but it provided a new way to deliver dsRNA to organisms. The research highlights the potential of RNA-mediated transfer of information between organisms and species. It is not yet clear whether such mechanisms play a role in natural ecological interactions, such as antiviral defense or communication during symbiosis. This work was conducted by Kunihiro Seki and Masato Toyoshima from Kanagawa University, and Lisa Timmons and Andrew Fire from the Carnegie Institution of Washington.