this post was submitted on 29 Nov 2025
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Biology

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The mysterious black fungus from Chernobyl that may eat radiation (www.bbc.com)
submitted 2 months ago by ooli3@sopuli.xyz to c/biology@mander.xyz
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[–] mossberg590@lemmy.world 12 points 2 months ago (1 children)

[–] SolarMonkey@slrpnk.net 9 points 2 months ago

That is very cool.

It’s not really all that different than photosynthesis, which is also using radiation as energy.

I wonder if something like this can be adapted into something that can be used to clean and neutralize nuclear waste. Obviously the present mold wouldn’t do it, but with modifications maybe. And it could probably be a somewhat self-limiting thing, such that when the radiation is no longer present, the thing dies off.

[–] valentinesmith@lemmy.blahaj.zone 8 points 2 months ago

was a nice article to share.

Funny how melanin could also be used for this kind of radiation and looking forward to what the scientists will find out in the future.

Protection for space travel would be nice and whatever other applications might pop up in the future.

[–] reddig33@lemmy.world 8 points 2 months ago (1 children)

Nice to see a non-clickbait headline for a change.

[–] zz31da@piefed.social 6 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago)

I mean, it's still technically great bait for clicking, it's just that there's actually some interesting content in there.

Sincerely, Captain Pedant

edit: bad formatting

[–] Chais@sh.itjust.works 5 points 2 months ago

Didn't expect the astrophage to originate on earth. Huh...