Researchers found the hydra to have about the same number of genes as humans, sharing many of them. Surprisingly, they also discovered genes linked to Huntington’s disease and the beta-amyloid plaque ...

Although the result is infinitely less terrifying than the gigantic, many-headed monster of Greek mythology, scientists have succeeded in coaxing the real-life Hydra, a tiny freshwater polyp, into ...

Another seems to be hydra’s ability to keep wily, jumping genes suppressed, according to 2020 research from Juliano’s lab. Through further DNA analysis, she’s hoping to uncover more clues.