• iconNews
  • videos
  • entertainment
  • Home
  • News
    • UK News
    • US News
    • Australia
    • Ireland
    • World News
    • Weird News
    • Viral News
    • Sport
    • Technology
    • Science
    • True Crime
    • Travel
  • Entertainment
    • Celebrity
    • TV & Film
    • Netflix
    • Music
    • Gaming
    • TikTok
  • LAD Originals
    • Say Maaate to a Mate
    • Daily Ladness
    • Lad Files
    • UOKM8?
    • FreeToBe
    • Extinct
    • Citizen Reef
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • UNILAD
  • SPORTbible
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
Snapchat
TikTok
YouTube

LAD Entertainment

YouTube

LAD Stories

Submit Your Content
Scientists discover 'third state' between living and dying that could 'redefine death'

Home> News> Science

Published 12:39 17 Sep 2024 GMT+1

Scientists discover 'third state' between living and dying that could 'redefine death'

The researchers have been reassessing former investigations to find evidence of the 'third state'

Ella Scott

Ella Scott

If you’ve ever wondered how organisms can continue to function despite succumbing to death then you’re in luck because scientists may have discovered the answer.

According to researchers, there could very well be a ‘third state’ of existence nestled between life and death that could contribute to the reasoning why our cells and organs continue to work despite our demise.

The idea sounds like something fresh from the pages of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, right?

Advert

The scientific study could 'redefine death' (Getty Stock Image)
The scientific study could 'redefine death' (Getty Stock Image)

But according to a new study published in the Physiology journal, the ‘third state’ is where cells gain new capabilities that they did not possess in life.

Moreover, these cells can survive and thrive even if the organism itself dies.

Speaking to The Conversation about their findings, study leads Professor Peter Noble at the University of Washington, Seattle, and Alex Pozhitkov at City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, California, said: “Life and death are traditionally viewed as opposites.

“But the emergence of new multicellular life-forms from the cells of a dead organism introduces a 'third state' that lies beyond the traditional boundaries of life and death.”

Advert

They added: “Certain cells - when provided with nutrients, oxygen, bioelectricity or biochemical cues - have the capacity to transform into multicellular organisms with new functions after death.”

To uncover this apparent ‘third state’ of existence, the experts reassessed a handful of studies to investigate whether cells could exist in new forms after an organism had died.

A 2021 study found that when the skin of a dead frog was placed in a petri dish, it started to use small, hair-like structures called cilia to navigate its surroundings.

The researchers claim metabolic activity plays an 'important role' in cell survival (Getty Stock Image)
The researchers claim metabolic activity plays an 'important role' in cell survival (Getty Stock Image)

Scientists found similar results when observing human lung cells, claiming they were able to re-assemble and repair themselves.

Advert

These cells have been dubbed 'anthrobots' and their lifespan is thought to be limited, as per Metro.

According to the study leads, these two examples are a way of highlighting how cells can adapt and survive following an organism’s death.

But how do these cells survive without its host body?

The team claim one of their hypothesis is that ‘specialised channels and pumps embedded in the outer membranes of cells serve as intricate electrical circuits’.

The research has the potential to 'transform regenerative medicine' (Getty Stock Image)
The research has the potential to 'transform regenerative medicine' (Getty Stock Image)

Advert

“These channels and pumps generate electrical signals that allow cells to communicate with each other and execute specific functions such as growth and movement, shaping the structure of the organism they form,” they continued.

It’s understood that this research could eventually ‘redefine death’ as well as have the potential to ‘transform regenerative medicine’.

However, they added that ‘metabolic activity plays an important role in whether cells can continue to survive and function’.

Factors such as species type and sex can all determine whether or not the cell can exist in the so-called third state.

And while much more research is needed to gain a more accurate picture, we can’t say that it isn’t exciting. What a breakthrough, right?

Featured Image Credit: Getty Stock Images

Topics: Science, Health, World News

Ella Scott
Ella Scott

Advert

Advert

Advert

Choose your content:

5 hours ago
6 hours ago
  • 5 hours ago

    World's 'first flying car' is going on sale much sooner than you think

    Flying cars are still something for the future, but apparently the rapidly approaching future

    News
  • 6 hours ago

    Experts issued warning over certain tattoo colour that could increase risk of deadly disease

    There can be some long-term health risks to going under the tattoo needle

    News
  • 6 hours ago

    Man who didn't sleep for a record 264 hours suffered from horrendous and potentially deadly side effects

    He smashed the record but suffered dangerous side effects in the process

    News
  • 6 hours ago

    The targets Iran could strike as it issues chilling threat to UK amid ongoing conflict

    The world isn't feeling particularly safe right now

    News
  • Horrific incident that led to man suffering 'most painful death ever' where he cried blood and was kept alive for 83 days
  • Man who was arrested after being only person at first 'suicide pod' death takes his own life
  • Scientists reveal key sign someone could be a psychopath and it's not what you'd expect
  • Scientists make major discovery at site of Noah’s Ark that could prove story is true