Chernobyl Worms , Found to Have ‘Super Power’.
Worms living near the notorious nuclear disaster zone appear to have developed an immunity
to radiation, 'The Independent' reports. .
Tiny worms known as nematodes were gathered
by scientists at Chernobyl as part of a new study.
The worms had been exposed to levels of radiation ranging from low levels in cities
to high levels detected in outer space. .
They were taken to New York University
to be studied. .
Chernobyl was a tragedy of
incomprehensible scale, but we still
don’t have a great grasp on the effects
of the disaster on local populations, Dr. Sophia Tintor, lead author of the study, to 'The Daily Mail'.
Did the sudden environmental shift
select for species, or even individuals
within a species, that are naturally
more resistant to ionizing radiation?, Dr. Sophia Tintor, lead author of the study, to 'The Daily Mail'.
20 genetically-different worms were examined.
These worms live everywhere, and they live
quickly, so they go through dozens of
generations of evolution while a typical
vertebrate is still putting on its shoes, Matthew Rockman, a biology professor
at New York University, via 'The Independent'.
Researchers found that the worms' genomes
were not damaged by the radiation.
Such discoveries may help to better understand natural variation,
'The Independent' reports.
Other animals that continue to live at Chernobyl
include bears, wolves, dogs, deer, wild boar, beavers, amphibians and more, according to Mental Floss.
Other animals that continue to live at Chernobyl
include bears, wolves, dogs, deer, wild boar, beavers, amphibians and more, according to Mental Floss.
Other animals that continue to live at Chernobyl
include bears, wolves, dogs, deer, wild boar, beavers, amphibians and more, according to Mental Floss.
Other animals that continue to live at Chernobyl
include bears, wolves, dogs, deer, wild boar, beavers, amphibians and more, according to Mental Floss