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1. 1 Sep 22 11:00 AM

   Database search reveals probable related species in New Zealand and Yellowstone

   When researchers searched worldwide e-DNA databases, they discovered RNA signatures similar to I. cascadensis from a geothermal mat in New Zealand's Taupō Volcanic Zone and three matches from Yellowstone National Park, suggesting additional undiscovered or uncultured species may exist.

   “The 4-minute mile was long thought to be impossible. But once accomplished, it only took weeks to be broken again.”

   • @

     A tiny amoeba broke complex life’s heat record and could broaden the search for habitable worlds. 🔥 NASA-supported researchers found the first known eukaryote able to reproduce at 145°F (63°C), hotter than scientists thought complex cells could withstand.

     @NASASolarSystemX1d ago2.6k▲view on X ↗

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     HUGE astrobiology news!!!! 🦠 researchers found an amoeba that broke the heat record for complex life!!! it’s the first-known eukaryote that’s able to reproduce at 145°F (63°C), which is hotter than we thought complex cells could withstand!! THIS COULD HELP US WHEN SEARCHING FOR HABITABLE WORLDS!

     astrojaz.bsky.socialBluesky1d ago408▲view on Bluesky ↗
   • I

     Science has just quietly rewritten the limits of life. 🤯 It's discovered an amoeba that can grow and reproduce at 63°C (145°F), beyond the previous ~60°C upper limit for eukaryotic life. And it can survive brief exposure to 70°C.

     ianhall.bsky.socialBluesky1d ago47▲view on Bluesky ↗

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2. backgroundSep 22

   Bob Leung says discovery will force revision of extremophile lectures — Bob Leung at Monash University, Australia, calls the finding "very exciting" and notes it extends the temperature record for eukaryotic growth by at least 3°C, requiring updates to his teaching materials on extremophiles.

3. backgroundSep 22

   Angela Oliverio compares discovery to breaking the 4-minute mile — Oliverio, senior author at Syracuse University, notes that 60°C was previously considered the "4-minute mile" barrier for eukaryotes, and now that the fire amoeba has been found, more similarly tolerant species will likely be discovered.

4. backgroundSep 22

   Study published in Cell documents heat tolerance capabilities — The research team publishes findings in the journal Cell detailing that I. cascadensis can perform cellular division at up to 63°C, stay active and forage at up to 64°C, and survive in dormant cyst form up to 70°C. Lab tests at 17 different temperatures confirmed optimal growth between 55–57°C with no growth below 40°C or above 63°C.

5. backgroundSep 22

   Research team names species Incendiamoeba cascadensis — The newly discovered amoeba is formally named Incendiamoeba cascadensis, meaning "fire amoeba from the Cascades," reflecting both its extreme heat tolerance and origin in the volcanic Cascade mountains.

6. backgroundDec 31, 2025

   Team discovers amoeba thriving at record-breaking temperature — After initially culturing amoebas at temperatures up to 57°C, researchers discovered a new species that continued to replicate and thrive at 63°C, far exceeding the previous eukaryote record of 60°C.

7. backgroundJan 1, 2023

   Research team begins collecting samples from Lassen hot springs — Microbiologist Beryl Rappaport and colleagues from Angela Oliverio's lab at Syracuse University collected water samples from geothermal hot springs in California's Lassen Volcanic National Park between 2023 and 2025.