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2016 ANNUAL REPORT
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Science News
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JANUARY 9, 2016
GLASSY ANSWER
Proteins that are floppy and unformed when
water bears are hydrated fold into a glass-like
solid as the microscopic creatures dry. This
solid encases and protects other proteins and
molecules that would normally fall apart when
dried, enabling water bears, also known as
tardigrades, to withstand extreme desiccation.