Scientists take two-headed worms from the universe to Earth

Biologists from Tufts Private Research University, USA sent Dugesia japonica to the International Space Station for 5 weeks before bringing it back to Earth.

After this experiment, the scientists discovered that in the absence of gravity and the influence of geomagnetic fields, the worm divides clones and even one turns into a two-headed version. This study is published in Regeneration magazine.

Close up of Dugesia japonica worm 2 heads.

It is known that this worm is introduced into space with amputated head and tail (Dugesia japonica is known for its ability to regenerate itself). They are kept in the dark in test tubes filled with water and air to study. After returning, the worms were still monitored from Earth for twenty months.

According to the research team, within 5 years of work, none of the 15,000 animals had such a phenomenon. In addition, the samples were amputated both ends, from the two positions appeared, not one head and one tail.

In the next experiment, the scientists plan to directly remove surgery on the International Space Station (ISS) to monitor the regeneration process in space from the beginning to the end of the worm.