More from the article ...

... "These are not dead samples by any means," says microbiologist and geochemist Tristan Caro, a PhD student at the University of Colorado Boulder (CU Boulder) during the study.

"They're still very much capable of hosting robust life that can break down organic matter and release it as carbon dioxide."

Caro and his colleagues aren't just raising the undead for the thrill of it.

As our fossil fuel addiction continues to warm the world, Arctic permafrost " the frozen soil, ice, and rocks beneath nearly a quarter of the Northern Hemisphere's landmass " is melting, releasing the greenhouse gases stored within.

As these layers thaw, many microscopic creatures -- like the ones in the team's samples -- will come to life, and, with newfound appetites, consume whatever decaying matter surrounds them. This will release more methane and carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, further contributing to climate change. ...