{
  "id": 9799454,
  "title": "Record-breaking ‘fire amoeba’ can thrive at 145°F",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/25/record-breaking-fire-amoeba-can-thrive-at-145-f",
  "topic": "science",
  "section": "Science",
  "published": "2026-09-25T17:32:23.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Futurity",
    "slug": "futurity",
    "url": "https://www.futurity.org/fire-amoeba-3346272/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Scientists have uncovered a groundbreaking heat-tolerant organism, dubbed the \"fire amoeba,\" which can survive temperatures reaching 145°F (63°C). This discovery challenges existing assumptions about the limits of complex life forms. For years, biologists believed that temperatures above 140°F (60°C) would prevent eukaryotic cells from thriving. This newly discovered organism, named Incendiamoeba cascadensis, contradicts that notion. Researchers from Syracuse University and collaborators at various universities collected samples from high-temperature geothermal springs in Lassen Volcanic National Park, California. The amoebae were found in a seemingly insignificant tributary, demonstrating the vast potential for undiscovered life in Earth's extreme environments. The team faced numerous challenges while collecting the samples, including unstable terrain and scorching water. Once in the lab, the amoebae continued to grow and divide at temperatures between 57°C and 70°C. At 64°C (147°F), they formed cysts, which are dormant structures that can withstand extreme conditions and revive when temperatures drop. This finding pushes the boundaries of where life can exist and may impact astrobiology by expanding the search for life beyond Earth. In addition to its implications for astrobiology, the discovery may also lead to advancements in biotechnology, as understanding the heat-tolerant adaptations of this organism could potentially result in the development of more robust enzymes, biomaterials, or bioprocesses.",
  "summary": "A new find raises the known temperature limits of complex life, expanding the hunt for eukaryotes on Earth and elsewhere in the universe.",
  "key_points": [
    "Fire amoeba Incendiamoeba cascadensis survives 145°F (63°C)",
    "Discovered in Lassen Volcanic National Park, California",
    "Implications for astrobiology and biotechnology"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}