Radiation-Eating Fungi Thrive in Chernobyl's Ruins

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Scientists discovered that black fungi thrived in high radiation levels following the Chernobyl accident.

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Due to their "positive radiotropism," these mushrooms grow in the direction of radiation sources

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Fungi's melanin may transform light into chemical energy, just like chlorophyll does.

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According to studies, exposure to radiation changes the development and coloration of fungi.

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Unexpectedly, the studied fungi's ability to produce melanin was reduced by gamma radiation.

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C. sphaerospermum grew more quickly in space than on Earth, according to ISS research.

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Biological radiation shields for space flight may be inspired by melanized mushrooms.

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By absorbing radioactive contaminants, these fungi may help with bioremediation.

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Enhancing fungal radiation absorption for real-world uses is the goal of future research.

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[{"selector":"#anim-8e40d343-1839-47e9-a4ba-52425d1d5583","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":200,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-4bcc89e8-74d5-4de1-b62d-6a3fb75d8fea","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":200,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-d615a797-221e-422e-8ee4-e297b9747728","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-114.50152%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":200,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-eb2c8dae-51a1-4c54-97d7-acdc19d580a4","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":700,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-350ffbc1-3036-4f27-9e80-c4b80af39b9f","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(115.23810%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":700,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Coral Crisis: 44% of Reefs Facing Extinction Amid Climate Threat Learn more