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Inside Chernobyl’s radioactive ruins, melanized fungi such as Cryptococcus neoformans are abundant. Radiation changes the electronic properties of melanin, increasing metabolic activity and growth. This suggests that melanin helps these fungi thrive in environments that are lethal to most life, potentially allowing them to “harvest” radiation as an energy source, similar to how plants use sunlight. Source: Dadachova E, Bryan RA, Huang X, Moadel T, Schweitzer AD, Aisen P, et al. (2007) Ionizing Radiation Changes the Electronic Properties of Melanin and Enhances the Growth of Melanized Fungi. PLoS ONE 2(5): e457. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0000457#news #biochem #chem #bio #biology
Inside Chernobyl’s radioactive ruins, melanized fungi such as Cryptococcus neoformans are abundant. Radiation changes the electronic properties of melanin, increasing metabolic activity and growth. This suggests that melanin helps these fungi thrive in environments that are lethal to most life, potentially allowing them to “harvest” radiation as an energy source, similar to how plants use sunlight. Source: Dadachova E, Bryan RA, Huang X, Moadel T, Schweitzer AD, Aisen P, et al. (2007) Ionizing Radiation Changes the Electronic Properties of Melanin and Enhances the Growth of Melanized Fungi. PLoS ONE 2(5): e457. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0000457#news #biochem #chem #bio #biology
The highlights the fascinating discovery of radiotrophic fungi, specifically species like Cryptococcus neoformans, which were found thriving on the walls of the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant. Unlike most life forms that are destroyed by high levels of ionizing radiation, these fungi contain large amounts of melanin, which allows them to convert gamma radiation into chemical energy for growth—a process essentially serving as a radioactive version of photosynthesis. While the post adds a dramatic flair by suggesting the fungus is "healing the scar" of the disaster, scientists are more focused on the practical potential of these organisms, such as developing "living shields" for astronauts to block radiation during long-term space missions.
The highlights the fascinating discovery of radiotrophic fungi, specifically species like Cryptococcus neoformans, which were found thriving on the walls of the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant. Unlike most life forms that are destroyed by high levels of ionizing radiation, these fungi contain large amounts of melanin, which allows them to convert gamma radiation into chemical energy for growth—a process essentially serving as a radioactive version of photosynthesis. While the post adds a dramatic flair by suggesting the fungus is "healing the scar" of the disaster, scientists are more focused on the practical potential of these organisms, such as developing "living shields" for astronauts to block radiation during long-term space missions.
☢️ Chernobyl’s Radioactive Fungi: Nature Thrives in the Unthinkable After the 1986 disaster at Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant, scientists surveying Reactor Unit 4’s Shelter discovered fungi that not only survived but thrived in extreme radiation. Among them, black, melanin-rich molds like Cladosporium sphaerospermum showed fascinating behavior: some seemed to grow toward radiation sources — a phenomenon called positive radiotropism. Melanin, the same pigment that colors skin and hair, may protect these fungi from radiation and even allow them to use energy from radioactive exposure to support growth. Researchers like Nelli Zhdanova have explored how this resilience could inform: 🚀 Space exploration – shielding astronauts from cosmic radiation 🛡️ New materials – creating radiation-resistant coatings and protective technologies This discovery shows how life adapts in ways we are only beginning to understand, turning even the most extreme environments into a laboratory of survival. Could fungi teach us how to thrive where humans cannot? #Chernobyl #ScienceDiscovery #NatureMystery #RadiationResearch #FungiPower #AstroBiology #InnovationInNature #ExtremeLife #fblifestyle
☢️ Chernobyl’s Radioactive Fungi: Nature Thrives in the Unthinkable After the 1986 disaster at Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant, scientists surveying Reactor Unit 4’s Shelter discovered fungi that not only survived but thrived in extreme radiation. Among them, black, melanin-rich molds like Cladosporium sphaerospermum showed fascinating behavior: some seemed to grow toward radiation sources — a phenomenon called positive radiotropism. Melanin, the same pigment that colors skin and hair, may protect these fungi from radiation and even allow them to use energy from radioactive exposure to support growth. Researchers like Nelli Zhdanova have explored how this resilience could inform: 🚀 Space exploration – shielding astronauts from cosmic radiation 🛡️ New materials – creating radiation-resistant coatings and protective technologies This discovery shows how life adapts in ways we are only beginning to understand, turning even the most extreme environments into a laboratory of survival. Could fungi teach us how to thrive where humans cannot? #Chernobyl #ScienceDiscovery #NatureMystery #RadiationResearch #FungiPower #AstroBiology #InnovationInNature #ExtremeLife #fblifestyle
big leagues calling… Extremophiles in Radiotrophic Fungi are the ultimate “survivors” found thriving in the high-radiation ruins of the Chernobyl nuclear reactor. These unique fungi use a pigment called melanin—the same stuff in human skin—to perform “radiosynthesis,” converting gamma radiation into chemical energy for growth. They effectively turn a deadly wasteland into a buffet, teaching us that life can find a way to harvest energy from the most hostile environments imaginable. was this video worth your time?
big leagues calling… Extremophiles in Radiotrophic Fungi are the ultimate “survivors” found thriving in the high-radiation ruins of the Chernobyl nuclear reactor. These unique fungi use a pigment called melanin—the same stuff in human skin—to perform “radiosynthesis,” converting gamma radiation into chemical energy for growth. They effectively turn a deadly wasteland into a buffet, teaching us that life can find a way to harvest energy from the most hostile environments imaginable. was this video worth your time?
Food for thought
Food for thought
Finally some good news
Finally some good news
#radiation #eating #mushrooms #chernobyl #suprise evolution FutureTech
#radiation #eating #mushrooms #chernobyl #suprise evolution FutureTech
En las ruinas de Chernobyl, científicos encontraron un hongo que se alimenta de radiación. Se llama Cladosporium sphaerospermum, un hongo negro descubierto creciendo en las paredes del Reactor 4 de Chernobyl, uno de los entornos más radiactivos de la Tierra. Pero en lugar de morir, este extraño organismo prospera - absorbiendo radiación gamma mortal y convirtiéndola en energía. El proceso se conoce como radiosíntesis, y es similar a la fotosíntesis en las plantas, excepto que en lugar de usar la luz solar, este hongo utiliza la radiación para impulsar su crecimiento. Es uno de los pocos organismos conocidos en la Tierra en hacerlo. ¿Pero el verdadero giro? Este hongo podría estar útil en el espacio. Cuando los investigadores enviaron C. sphaerospermum a la Estación Espacial Internacional, no sólo sobrevivió - creció. Aún más impresionante, bloqueó hasta el 84% de la radiación cósmica entrante. Eso sugiere que algún día podría ser usado como un escudo natural de radiación para los astronautas en misiones al espacio profundo, donde la exposición es un riesgo importante para la salud. De vuelta en la Tierra, los científicos están explorando su potencial de biorremediación usándolo para ayudar a limpiar sitios radiactivos que son demasiado peligrosos para que los humanos entren. Su capacidad de tolerar e incluso absorber la radiación podría convertirla en una herramienta valiosa para la recuperación de desastres nucleares. "Es como si la naturaleza hubiera diseñado un escudo de radiación biológica", señaló un investigador. Desde la lluvia radiactiva hasta la exploración espacial, este humilde hongo negro puede ser la clave para sobrevivir a algunos de los entornos más extremos del universo. Aprende más: Travers, Scott. "Este hongo negro podría estar curando Chernobyl bebiendo radiación - explica un biólogo. Forbes, 2 de noviembre de 2024
En las ruinas de Chernobyl, científicos encontraron un hongo que se alimenta de radiación. Se llama Cladosporium sphaerospermum, un hongo negro descubierto creciendo en las paredes del Reactor 4 de Chernobyl, uno de los entornos más radiactivos de la Tierra. Pero en lugar de morir, este extraño organismo prospera - absorbiendo radiación gamma mortal y convirtiéndola en energía. El proceso se conoce como radiosíntesis, y es similar a la fotosíntesis en las plantas, excepto que en lugar de usar la luz solar, este hongo utiliza la radiación para impulsar su crecimiento. Es uno de los pocos organismos conocidos en la Tierra en hacerlo. ¿Pero el verdadero giro? Este hongo podría estar útil en el espacio. Cuando los investigadores enviaron C. sphaerospermum a la Estación Espacial Internacional, no sólo sobrevivió - creció. Aún más impresionante, bloqueó hasta el 84% de la radiación cósmica entrante. Eso sugiere que algún día podría ser usado como un escudo natural de radiación para los astronautas en misiones al espacio profundo, donde la exposición es un riesgo importante para la salud. De vuelta en la Tierra, los científicos están explorando su potencial de biorremediación usándolo para ayudar a limpiar sitios radiactivos que son demasiado peligrosos para que los humanos entren. Su capacidad de tolerar e incluso absorber la radiación podría convertirla en una herramienta valiosa para la recuperación de desastres nucleares. "Es como si la naturaleza hubiera diseñado un escudo de radiación biológica", señaló un investigador. Desde la lluvia radiactiva hasta la exploración espacial, este humilde hongo negro puede ser la clave para sobrevivir a algunos de los entornos más extremos del universo. Aprende más: Travers, Scott. "Este hongo negro podría estar curando Chernobyl bebiendo radiación - explica un biólogo. Forbes, 2 de noviembre de 2024
The research began five years ago when Dr. Casadevall read on the Web that a robot sent into the still-highly-radioactive damaged reactor at Chernobyl had returned with samples of black, melanin-rich fungi that were growing on the reactor’s walls. “I found that very interesting and began discussing with colleagues whether these fungi might be using the radiation emissions as an energy source,” says Dr. Casadevall. To test this idea, the Einstein researchers performed a variety of in vivo tests using three genetically diverse fungi and four measures of cell growth. The studies consistently showed that ionizing radiation significantly enhances the growth of fungi that contain melanin. For example, two types of fungi–one that was induced to make melanin (Crytococcus neoformans) and another that naturally contains it (Wangiella dermatitidis)—were exposed to levels of ionizing radiation approximately 500 times higher than background levels. Both species grew significantly faster (as measured by the number of colony forming units and dry weight) than when exposed to standard background radiation. The researchers also carried out physico-chemical studies into melanin’s ability to capture radiation. By measuring the electron spin resonance signal after melanin was exposed to ionizing radiation, they showed that radiation interacts with melanin to alter its electron structure. This is an essential step for capturing radiation and converting it into a different form of energy to make food. #health #healthyliving #holistichealth #mold #emf
The research began five years ago when Dr. Casadevall read on the Web that a robot sent into the still-highly-radioactive damaged reactor at Chernobyl had returned with samples of black, melanin-rich fungi that were growing on the reactor’s walls. “I found that very interesting and began discussing with colleagues whether these fungi might be using the radiation emissions as an energy source,” says Dr. Casadevall. To test this idea, the Einstein researchers performed a variety of in vivo tests using three genetically diverse fungi and four measures of cell growth. The studies consistently showed that ionizing radiation significantly enhances the growth of fungi that contain melanin. For example, two types of fungi–one that was induced to make melanin (Crytococcus neoformans) and another that naturally contains it (Wangiella dermatitidis)—were exposed to levels of ionizing radiation approximately 500 times higher than background levels. Both species grew significantly faster (as measured by the number of colony forming units and dry weight) than when exposed to standard background radiation. The researchers also carried out physico-chemical studies into melanin’s ability to capture radiation. By measuring the electron spin resonance signal after melanin was exposed to ionizing radiation, they showed that radiation interacts with melanin to alter its electron structure. This is an essential step for capturing radiation and converting it into a different form of energy to make food. #health #healthyliving #holistichealth #mold #emf
Chernobyl’s Secret Experiments Did you know… after the Chernobyl disaster, Soviet scientists conducted secret radiation experiments on humans? Following the 1986 meltdown, researchers studied how radiation affected the human body - often using military recruits, hospital patients, and even children in nearby areas. They measured exposure, monitored organ damage, and tested survival techniques - sometimes without full consent. The results were used to improve nuclear safety… but at a human cost. Radiation sickness, cancers, and long-term health issues were common among participants. This wasn’t just a disaster. It became a laboratory - and humans were the test subjects. Follow World of Sciences for mind-blowing science facts #WorldOfSciences #Chernobyl #DarkScience #RadiationExperiments #ColdWarRussia
Chernobyl’s Secret Experiments Did you know… after the Chernobyl disaster, Soviet scientists conducted secret radiation experiments on humans? Following the 1986 meltdown, researchers studied how radiation affected the human body - often using military recruits, hospital patients, and even children in nearby areas. They measured exposure, monitored organ damage, and tested survival techniques - sometimes without full consent. The results were used to improve nuclear safety… but at a human cost. Radiation sickness, cancers, and long-term health issues were common among participants. This wasn’t just a disaster. It became a laboratory - and humans were the test subjects. Follow World of Sciences for mind-blowing science facts #WorldOfSciences #Chernobyl #DarkScience #RadiationExperiments #ColdWarRussia
It’s called an “Elephant’s foot.” This is what the solidified mass of corium looks like, formed under the 4th reactor of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant after the 1986 accident. Corium is a mixture of molten nuclear fuel, concrete, metal and sand. During the explosion, it burned through the floors and down the stack, where it eventually solidified in this strange, almost organic form. When the Elephant’s Foot was first discovered, the radiation level next to it was lethal: a few minutes were enough to get a dose incompatible with life. Back then, people approached the object only for seconds, hiding around corners and taking photos blindly. Over time, activity has decreased, but even today it is one of the most dangerous and visible artifacts of a man-made disaster. He is still under the sarcophagus, in a dark technical corridor — as a reminder of what happens when the system gets out of control.
It’s called an “Elephant’s foot.” This is what the solidified mass of corium looks like, formed under the 4th reactor of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant after the 1986 accident. Corium is a mixture of molten nuclear fuel, concrete, metal and sand. During the explosion, it burned through the floors and down the stack, where it eventually solidified in this strange, almost organic form. When the Elephant’s Foot was first discovered, the radiation level next to it was lethal: a few minutes were enough to get a dose incompatible with life. Back then, people approached the object only for seconds, hiding around corners and taking photos blindly. Over time, activity has decreased, but even today it is one of the most dangerous and visible artifacts of a man-made disaster. He is still under the sarcophagus, in a dark technical corridor — as a reminder of what happens when the system gets out of control.
The Elephant’s Foot is a massive, highly radioactive formation created during the Chernobyl nuclear disaster in 1986. Located inside the destroyed reactor at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant in Pripyat, it formed when molten nuclear fuel, sand, concrete, and reactor materials melted together and solidified into a lava-like mass known as corium. When it was first discovered by engineers in late 1986, the Elephant’s Foot emitted extremely high levels of ionizing radiation. At that time, standing close to it for only a short period could deliver a lethal dose of radiation. The intense radiation can damage cells, destroy biological tissue, and lead to severe radiation sickness.
The Elephant’s Foot is a massive, highly radioactive formation created during the Chernobyl nuclear disaster in 1986. Located inside the destroyed reactor at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant in Pripyat, it formed when molten nuclear fuel, sand, concrete, and reactor materials melted together and solidified into a lava-like mass known as corium. When it was first discovered by engineers in late 1986, the Elephant’s Foot emitted extremely high levels of ionizing radiation. At that time, standing close to it for only a short period could deliver a lethal dose of radiation. The intense radiation can damage cells, destroy biological tissue, and lead to severe radiation sickness.
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