this post was submitted on 30 Jul 2023
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Mildly Interesting

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Well so it begins.

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[–] [email protected] 129 points 2 years ago (4 children)

On first glance it seems that this worm was brought back to life with scientific intervention exclusively. But with the disappearence of permafrost these worms will thaw on their own and will resume living and procreating. What I want to say is, that many species of these ice-aged worms may be alive already without anyone noticing, trough permafrost has been thawed away. Who knows what impact these worms will have on our recent fauna and flora?

[–] FartsWithAnAccent 68 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago) (2 children)

Maybe they'll save us all from climate change?

Come on little guys, we're counting on you because corporations and politicians aren't really helping

[–] [email protected] 47 points 2 years ago (1 children)

I'd bet on the worms over the oligarchy

[–] FartsWithAnAccent 11 points 2 years ago

One day the worms will eat all of us, even the oligarchs

[–] Riccosuave 15 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago) (1 children)
[–] ChickenLadyLovesLife 4 points 2 years ago

If you walk without rhythm ... huh! Ya never learn.

[–] [email protected] 8 points 2 years ago
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[–] mawmon 81 points 2 years ago

This will definitely end well….

[–] Treefox 65 points 2 years ago

Put it back.

[–] [email protected] 48 points 2 years ago (3 children)

This is kind of like time travel in a way. If one were to go back in time, you would mainly need to worry about the diseases and parasites you bring back with you. You are descended from those who learned to survive the diseases of the past so you are likely to have some resistance to it. You wouldn't be perfectly safe of course, but not likely at more risk than if you stayed in your own time.

On the other hand, if you travel forward in time, like this nematode did, you are entering a realm that is full of virus, bacteria, and even fungus that have had decades to learn new tricks to survive that you would have no inherent resistance to.

The chance of there being some sleeping time bomb in the permafrost seems low to me since everything alive today is descended from those who survived that germ or parasite in the past.

[–] [email protected] 11 points 2 years ago

Good point. I never thaught about it this way. Maybe these nematodes will not introduce diseases. But will they suppress recent fauna? Will these worms displace current worms or other species on a microbiological level? Or maybe these worms have a cure for recent diseases?

[–] EtherWhack 3 points 2 years ago

They could have also just been endemic to that area, and a host's resistance possibly linked to a recessive gene. (like sickle cell and malaria in Africa) Following their period of removal from the environment, and with the traveling and immigration of humans and other animals, those genes could be dominated by another form or missing altogether.

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[–] Jerb322 35 points 2 years ago (2 children)
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[–] [email protected] 31 points 2 years ago (1 children)

Do you want a zombie apocalypse? Because this is how you get a zombie apocalypse.

[–] Bakachu 11 points 2 years ago

Sad to say but it'd almost be fitting that we get taken out by our own brain-eating selves after all the bullshit we've unleashed on this planet.

[–] [email protected] 30 points 2 years ago (6 children)

Misread "worm" as "woman" at first, was concerned.

[–] Riccosuave 6 points 2 years ago (1 children)
[–] TIEPilot 2 points 2 years ago

El queso esta viejo y podrido.

Donde esta el sanitario?

[–] Mr_Dr_Oink 4 points 2 years ago

Some ancient women gets defrosted and doesnt have time for our shit so just immediately starts having babies and thanklessly tidying up after all the men.

[–] UnknownQuantity 2 points 2 years ago

Same here. Though I wasn't as concerned as I thought it was a click bait.

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[–] [email protected] 27 points 2 years ago (1 children)

That’s just one that we can see, it’s the ones we can’t that give pause.

[–] vickychen 12 points 2 years ago

The implication is terrifying. I hope there isn't a super-AIDS frozen in there

[–] [email protected] 26 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago) (1 children)

The X-Files is becoming like the Simpsons for predictions and I don't think I like it

[–] MrPoopyButthole 6 points 2 years ago

That episode is still burnt into my mind!

[–] Gomez 18 points 2 years ago (1 children)

One thing is for certain, there is no stopping them. The worms will soon be here.

And I for one welcome our new insect overlords.

I can be helpful in rounding up others to toil in their underground sugar caves.

[–] Necronomicommunist 10 points 2 years ago (1 children)

You think worms are insects?

[–] Aremel 3 points 2 years ago (3 children)

I always thought they were. If not insects, what are they?

[–] ZoopZeZoop 10 points 2 years ago (2 children)
[–] Mr_Dr_Oink 2 points 2 years ago (1 children)

I always thought of them as molluscs

Til

[–] Aremel 2 points 2 years ago (1 children)

Very interesting. Thanks for the link!

[–] ZoopZeZoop 2 points 2 years ago

You betcha! Taxonomy is awesome!

[–] xyzinferno 3 points 2 years ago (1 children)

A quick way to tell if something is an insect is if it has a head, a thorax, an abdomen, exactly 6 legs, and antennae

The 6 legs is usually the biggest giveaway, discounts millipedes, centipedes, worms, spiders, etc. from being insects

[–] Mr_Pap_Shmear 5 points 2 years ago

TIL I'm an insect

[–] dadGPT 10 points 2 years ago

can we not do this please?

[–] EtherWhack 8 points 2 years ago (1 children)

And I just finally started watching The Strain...

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[–] TIEPilot 8 points 2 years ago

And the T-virus will be here in 3... 2... 1...

[–] FrankTheHealer 7 points 2 years ago
[–] [email protected] 6 points 2 years ago

I saw this movie

[–] asunaspersonalasst 5 points 2 years ago

Anyone wanna hook me up with their weapons dealer that could hook me up with a smol piece, so in case these science fucks up and starts an apocalypse they won't be able to get to me alive?

[–] LaunchesKayaks 4 points 2 years ago

No thank you

[–] Shardikprime 4 points 2 years ago

Life, uh .. Finds a way

[–] dovah 4 points 2 years ago

Anyone here watch Life with the handsome Jake Gyllenhaal?

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