Record-breaking ‘fire amoeba’ can thrive at 145°F

Biologists have discovered a record-breaking “fire amoeba” that thrives at 63°C (145°F), rewriting the rules for complex cells.

For decades, scientists have relied on a simple rule of thumb: temperatures above 60°C (140°F) should prevent complex cells from surviving. The newly discovered heat-loving amoeba is now challenging that assumption.

Microbiologists have long studied extreme environments ...