Record-breaking Heat Tolerance Discovered in Hot Spring Amoeba

WHO:

NASA - Scientists supported by NASA conducted the research.

Phys.org - Researchers published their findings in the journal Cell.

WHAT:

NASA - The newly discovered amoeba can eat and reproduce in hot spring water as warm as 63°C (145°F).

Phys.org - The amoeba can protect itself at temperatures up to 70°C (158°F) by changing shape and forming a protective outer layer.

NASA - A new species of amoeba was discovered that can thrive at extreme temperatures.

Phys.org - The amoeba can survive and reproduce in hot spring water at temperatures as high as 63°C (145°F).

Phys.org - The amoeba can protect itself at temperatures up to 70°C (158°F) by changing shape and forming a protective outer layer.

WHERE:

NASA - The discovery was made in California’s Lassen Volcanic National Park.

Phys.org - The hot spring water where the amoeba was found is located in Lassen Volcanic National Park, California.

WHEN:

Phys.org - The study was published in the journal Cell.

WHY:

NASA - High temperatures typically destroy necessary cell components, posing challenges for complex life forms.

HOW:

Phys.org - The amoeba protects itself from extreme heat by changing its shape and forming a protective outer layer.

(UPDATED September 22, 2026 20:59 UTC)

NASA has announced the discovery of a remarkable amoeba that thrives in hot spring water, capable of eating and reproducing at temperatures as high as 63 degrees Celsius, or 145 degrees Fahrenheit. This unique organism can also protect itself in extreme heat, withstanding temperatures up to 70 degrees Celsius, or 158 degrees Fahrenheit, by changing shape and forming a protective outer layer. The findings highlight the incredible adaptability of life in extreme environments.

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(UPDATED September 22, 2026 19:03 UTC)

Scientists supported by NASA have discovered a new species of amoeba that thrives in extreme temperatures, with the findings published in the journal Cell. This remarkable amoeba can survive and reproduce in hot spring water at temperatures as high as 63 degrees Celsius and can protect itself at even higher temperatures by changing shape and forming a protective outer layer. The discovery took place in California's Lassen Volcanic National Park, where the unique conditions allow this organism to flourish despite the challenges posed by high heat.