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Chernobyl Fungus Seems to Have Evolved an Incredible Ability (www.sciencealert.com)

submitted 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago) by m3t00@lemmy.world to c/science@lemmy.world

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how the aliens survive spaceflight

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[-] tyrant@lemmy.world 124 points 2 months ago

That fungus is called Cladosporium sphaerospermum, and some scientists think its dark pigment – melanin – may allow it to harness ionizing radiation through a process similar to the way plants harness light for photosynthesis. This proposed mechanism is even referred to as radiosynthesis.

[-] lime@feddit.nu 40 points 2 months ago

wait, are black people more radiation-resistant?

[-] Egonallanon@feddit.uk 116 points 2 months ago

In terms of UV radiation cuaisng things like sunburn and skin cancer in humans yes.

At the scale when gamma radiation is being thrown around at high levels no.

[-] bluGill@fedia.io 14 points 2 months ago

Maybe slightly - but you are a fool if you test this.

[-] Grimy@lemmy.world 24 points 2 months ago

Because I'm not black

[-] Poojabber@lemmy.world 9 points 2 months ago

Also, because you are a fool. They are not mutually exclusive reasons.

[-] aldhissla@piefed.world 3 points 2 months ago

There's a plot point about this in the Expanse. The series only mentions it shortly in that season where they had to cut half the stuff (though maybe not that).

Cool that we can achieve radiosynthesis without sci-fi magic. A pity Chernobyl had to happen for this discovery.