Rolling in Radiation

Scott

In a recent study, scientists have found a fungus that actually eats the harmful radiation. This sounds crazy but fungi have been known to eat jet fuel, plastic, and asbestos. The radiation gobbling fungi, Cryptococcus neoformans, uses melanin (which is also found in the human's skin) to turn radiation into energy or food for the fungi to grow. At the remains of the melted down power plant, Chernobyl, masses of this fungi have been found there feeding on all of the radiation. This very interesting fungus could be the world’s savior for getting rid of nuclear waste, which takes millions of years to decay. Or it could maybe used in space for a food for astronauts as it feeds on the radiation in outer space. This remarkable fungus could help the United States step up to nuclear power and make it a large contributor to America's power.