Shapeshifting, reverse-aging hydrozoan!

[PariahPoet]

How cool is this? This jellyfish-like critter has a survival mechanism that enables it to change back to juvenile forms in hostile environments. The adult form also varies depending on location.

http://www.sciencenews.org/view/generic ... _spreadsin

[MoonKit]

Thats really weird. I bet the scientists will learn a lot from studying it.

[MattSullivan]

between this and the transparent-had fish, how can anyone NOT be intrigued? This actually sparks my sense of curiosity, which I haven't felt since I was a kid.

How extraordinary!

[Wingman]

Hmm, is it actually becoming younger, or merely changing form? As in, is cellular deterioration being reversed or removed?

[PariahPoet]

No, I don't believe it negates the effect of time on the cells, I think it's just changing back to a larval form.

[WerewolfKeeper3]

all the knowledge of being old, and the ability to use that information... why do i think this could make a good plot for a sci-fi story or something?

[Wingman]

all the knowledge of being old, and the ability to use that information... why do i think this could make a good plot for a sci-fi story or something?

Well, as long as your cells were still degrading over time, it's not exactly immortality. Though, you'd essentially be able to look 25 up until the day one or more of your major organs failed and you keeled over.

Probably not, though, since the appearance changes someone goes through are a direct result of cellular damage.

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, a rather good movie, had Ben aging backwards. It might have been as a result of him being born with advanced cellular damage (being born old), and then slowly regenerating that damage...and then not stopping regenerating.

[Moss27]

Merlin probably knew how those critters worked.

I've never seen Benjamin Button, sad to say.

[Wingman]

Merlin probably knew how those critters worked.

I've never seen Benjamin Button, sad to say.

Merlin Sickness is actually a pretty good example of what might happen if someone were to become a regenerator without some sort of limit on the template for what "normal" is. Wherein damage is repaired, until the point where no growth can occur since it would cause damage. Though you'd probably average out as a rather tall teenager or so, rather than shrinking to a baby, since it's probably harder to deconstruct a skeleton than it is to construct one.

So, there's a bit of support for the types of vampires that become young again (Such as the ones P.N. Elrod writes about).

[argetlam42]

If this jellyfish is actually creating new cells, as in replacing old ones with new ones, then I'd be inclined to say that it's essentially immortal. However, if its original cells are simply changing their state, then it might still 'age,' albeit in a 'younger' body. I suppose there's only one way to find out: stick one in an aquarium and see how long it survives.