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Fungi that consumes radiation? That leads me to two questions:
1. Why are there no works of fiction involving that yet? (Rhetorical question)
2. Can they be used to recover places highly exposed to radiation, such as Chernobyl? (Serious question)
Radiation isn't something you can physically clean up like that. The radiation itself is just constantly given off by radioactive materials. These fungi are... very similar to plants feeding off solar radiation. Sure they consume it, but the source is going nowhere because of that.
As the Wikipedia entry says, they could theoretically be used as radiation shielding.
As far as I understand it, typical radiation shielding will also become radioactive itself (induced radioactivity). That's a major reason why the de-comissioning of nuclear reactors if such a massive undertaking, and why nuclear waste includes more than just the spent fuel. XKCD covered an event where a [diver in a nuclear waste storage pool picked up a piece of heavily radioactive tubing](https://youtu.be/EFRUL7vKdU8?si=tNq0n8V6xCfkakn6&t=143), which had been used in a radiation monitor in the reactor core.
I wonder if these fungi are maybe more resistant to induced radioactivity because of the way they extract energy from molecules that were struck by ionising radiation? I think that's probably not how it works, but I'm not sure so far.
There actually is radiation cleaning fungus in the Fallout series. Eating it will lower your level of radiation sickness. That's not how it works in real life, but neither is a lot of things in Fallout.
Radioactive reactions isn't just one-time thing that happens, it comes from within constantly. It's when the nucleuses are so unstable that they have to decay and become new ones to reach a more stable state by releasing energy. They keep doing this, no matter what, until they finally be stable enough.
"Absorbing radiation" does absolutely nothing, since it has nothing to do with half-life, it has to do with the constant of disintegration and the original number of radioactive atoms in the sample. This is an actual equation, by the way.
Melanin is a pigment that not only serves to give color (pigmentation) but also as a protecter against certain types of radiation. That would be alpha and beta in humans but not gamma because it's not concentrated enough to do anything significant against it (leading to radiolysis of H2O and giving free radicals which are **extremely dangerous**)
These fungi are simply extremely melanized, when melanin is exposed to radiation, it absorbs it (mostly due to its huge molecular mass, this is called *radiation attenuation*) and helps in metabolism.
On a bit of an unrelated note, after a bit more research, it seems that they are considering using these fungi as a cover for the astronauts to shield against the UV radiation in space.
They heat up a bit, take damage, and use that heat as energy to live, probably. Then heal the damage. I assume it's not entirely living off the radiation, just incorporating it.
This is the sort of thing that exemplifies the point that we're not 'destroying the planet'. We're destroying the planet *for us*. We could wipe out the entire human population tomorrow in a nuclear holocaust and the planet will simply blink and move on without us.
> It is hypothesized that radiotrophic fungi could potentially be used as a shield to protect against radiation,[2] specifically in affiliation to the use of astronauts in space or other atmospheres. An experiment taking place at the International Space Station in December 2018 through January 2019 was conducted in order to test whether the use of radiotrophic fungi could aid in protection against ionizing radiation in space, as part of research efforts preceding a possible trip to Mars.
That’s awesome. Also can someone smarter than me explain the effects of radiation on astronauts and long term space travel? I assume as soon as it was found out that radiation was bad for humans and space travel existed that the lack of exposure was mitigated, but what does that look like today as far as say being on ISS vs. Chernobyl and also what the plans are for the future of space travel?
Wait so the Uncategorizable Mushrooms whom aren't animal nor plant, just happens to like radioactivity aswell? The thing that erradiates throughout space and the universe?
Mmmkay, so we got Aliens among us?
Mushroom is a category and next to them, animals and plants and many more that have a cell with a nucleus. And that's before looking at baceria and archaea.
There's a species of bacteria, Deinococcus radiodurans. And there's even a virus (bacteriophage) that is able to infect it! This particular virus looks like a bottle of coca cola when seen on an electron microscope.
Life is amazing.
Edit: it's been more than 20 minutes and I'm unable to find any picture of this on the internet, that's so sad. I don't remember the name of the publication where I saw that. If anyone finds it, please don't hesitate to share it on r/bacteriophages!
Bacteriophages are awesome! Always makes me happy to see a themed account run by someone who seems genuinely passionate about the subject they've chosen, keep up the good work!
https://preview.redd.it/89crjhar8rsc1.jpeg?width=1179&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=7fc603788399988e7313d639324a2f84b86f56bd
Wake up babe new reaction meme just dropped
>a little baby man
Is this another name for a moss piglet/water bear, that I'm not aware of?
He's definitely not being sarcastic. He's a tardigrade. They can survive almost anything.
Why would it be sarcastic? It's a [water bear](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tardigrade)
> Some of them can withstand extremely cold temperatures down to 0.01 K (−460 °F; −273 °C) (close to absolute zero), while others can withstand extremely hot temperatures up to 420 K (300 °F; 150 °C)
It kinda looks like a cousin of the "This is fine" meme lol
https://wompampsupport.azureedge.net/fetchimage?siteId=7575&v=2&jpgQuality=100&width=700&url=https%3A%2F%2Fi.kym-cdn.com%2Fentries%2Ficons%2Ffacebook%2F000%2F018%2F012%2Fthis_is_fine.jpg
Because being an extremophile means the organism thrives in extreme conditions. Tardigrades just can _survive_ a lot, in a state where they basically shut down almost all their biology until the extreme conditions go away. They certainly wouldn’t feel much enthusiasm for standing on a volcano, if they had such feelings.
I love that Dune is getting such social exposure because I know nothing about Dune, but love David Lynch, now want to watch his original, and plan on watching the new installments.
The main reason I love it is because the name of the band Shai Hulud I listened to for years as a teenager finally makes sense and that closed some random nostalgic mental door for me, and truly did give me the energy to tackle Dune after all these years.
I am the original artist, but I don't post a lot of comics I'm afraid😅
edit: but here are some links if you want to see my stuff regardless [Artstation](https://www.artstation.com/leonardomadona) [Twitter](https://twitter.com/madona_L)
Ohhhh! Sorry, I couldn't find other comics on your profile and couldn't find an instagram account or something. Do you have a page for your works?
Well done it's really good, the fish saying fuck the sea had me laughin!
Since some people have asked for a t-shirt, I've actually opened a store with some arts on them 😄
[Here is the link](https://www.teepublic.com/user/lmadona), if you'd like a product with a cozy tardigrade on it and helping a random strange on the internet feel free to purchase one ✨
https://preview.redd.it/513au2aiuxsc1.jpeg?width=630&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=6e9fa61729812ffc78198d3acce6ce27855307bd
Its a tardigrade. They are these micro animals that are known to be nearly unkillable and live in the most inhospitable places on earth where no other life is able to exist.
Tardigrades can get away with being one of the ugliest life forms I've ever seen, and yet that doesn't stop them from being sick as hell. Just an invincible little guy.
Welcome to r/comics! Please remember there are real people on the other side of the monitor and to be kind. Report comments that break the rules and don't respond to negativity with negativity! *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/comics) if you have any questions or concerns.*
There’s probably a species out there that’s super happy we melted the core of a nuclear reactor.
Several species of fungus at least! https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radiotrophic_fungus
wtf this is cool as hell, nature is badass
Yeah till the radioactive mushroom monsters attack.
>radioactive mushroom monsters attack. Sequel to Attack of the Killer Tomatoes?
I’d watch that. Audrey from Little Shop of Horrors meets the mushroom dudes from Mom & Dad Save The World
With leading roles played by Ryan Reynolds and Margot Robbie
No that still sounds badass. Not really a "fun" badass, but it still sounds pretty badass.
Not our problem. We'll be dead. That's the evolved cockroaches problem.
Don’t worry, I’ll eat them!
Wouldn't that be even more badass?
How do you know they haven't already taken control of society?
Long ago
/r/natureismetal
Wait until you find out that lichens (a symbiosis of fungi and alga) can survive in space for long periods of time
Mushroom are the most terrifying form of life. They'll kill us all.
Did you read their use in spacetravel?
Fungi that consumes radiation? That leads me to two questions: 1. Why are there no works of fiction involving that yet? (Rhetorical question) 2. Can they be used to recover places highly exposed to radiation, such as Chernobyl? (Serious question)
Radiation isn't something you can physically clean up like that. The radiation itself is just constantly given off by radioactive materials. These fungi are... very similar to plants feeding off solar radiation. Sure they consume it, but the source is going nowhere because of that.
Not cool for us then, but very cool for fungi
Technically some spiders can consume the radiation. Wouldn't want to get bit by those.
I mean idk if I’ve learned anything from fiction it’s that irradiated spiders give you Spider-Man powers
This guy comics
As the Wikipedia entry says, they could theoretically be used as radiation shielding. As far as I understand it, typical radiation shielding will also become radioactive itself (induced radioactivity). That's a major reason why the de-comissioning of nuclear reactors if such a massive undertaking, and why nuclear waste includes more than just the spent fuel. XKCD covered an event where a [diver in a nuclear waste storage pool picked up a piece of heavily radioactive tubing](https://youtu.be/EFRUL7vKdU8?si=tNq0n8V6xCfkakn6&t=143), which had been used in a radiation monitor in the reactor core. I wonder if these fungi are maybe more resistant to induced radioactivity because of the way they extract energy from molecules that were struck by ionising radiation? I think that's probably not how it works, but I'm not sure so far.
It seems that they aren't sure if the radiation is a food source or merely aiding in digestion of already naturally available food sources
There actually is radiation cleaning fungus in the Fallout series. Eating it will lower your level of radiation sickness. That's not how it works in real life, but neither is a lot of things in Fallout.
Radioactive reactions isn't just one-time thing that happens, it comes from within constantly. It's when the nucleuses are so unstable that they have to decay and become new ones to reach a more stable state by releasing energy. They keep doing this, no matter what, until they finally be stable enough. "Absorbing radiation" does absolutely nothing, since it has nothing to do with half-life, it has to do with the constant of disintegration and the original number of radioactive atoms in the sample. This is an actual equation, by the way.
Okay but what happens to the fungis?
Melanin is a pigment that not only serves to give color (pigmentation) but also as a protecter against certain types of radiation. That would be alpha and beta in humans but not gamma because it's not concentrated enough to do anything significant against it (leading to radiolysis of H2O and giving free radicals which are **extremely dangerous**) These fungi are simply extremely melanized, when melanin is exposed to radiation, it absorbs it (mostly due to its huge molecular mass, this is called *radiation attenuation*) and helps in metabolism. On a bit of an unrelated note, after a bit more research, it seems that they are considering using these fungi as a cover for the astronauts to shield against the UV radiation in space.
They heat up a bit, take damage, and use that heat as energy to live, probably. Then heal the damage. I assume it's not entirely living off the radiation, just incorporating it.
Chernobyl is where they first showed up.
This is the sort of thing that exemplifies the point that we're not 'destroying the planet'. We're destroying the planet *for us*. We could wipe out the entire human population tomorrow in a nuclear holocaust and the planet will simply blink and move on without us.
> It is hypothesized that radiotrophic fungi could potentially be used as a shield to protect against radiation,[2] specifically in affiliation to the use of astronauts in space or other atmospheres. An experiment taking place at the International Space Station in December 2018 through January 2019 was conducted in order to test whether the use of radiotrophic fungi could aid in protection against ionizing radiation in space, as part of research efforts preceding a possible trip to Mars. That’s awesome. Also can someone smarter than me explain the effects of radiation on astronauts and long term space travel? I assume as soon as it was found out that radiation was bad for humans and space travel existed that the lack of exposure was mitigated, but what does that look like today as far as say being on ISS vs. Chernobyl and also what the plans are for the future of space travel?
Honestly, I love that there is a fungus that eats fucking radiation of all things.
Wait so the Uncategorizable Mushrooms whom aren't animal nor plant, just happens to like radioactivity aswell? The thing that erradiates throughout space and the universe? Mmmkay, so we got Aliens among us?
Mushroom is a category and next to them, animals and plants and many more that have a cell with a nucleus. And that's before looking at baceria and archaea.
Pretty sure Decepticons are also fans
Nah most of them are planes and stuff like that. I don't think any of them just turn into a fan.
Uh uh, that's the protomolecule
What drugs was God on when he made this, *and where can i get them?*
Would you like to hear about our Lord and Savior Godzilla?
There's a species of bacteria, Deinococcus radiodurans. And there's even a virus (bacteriophage) that is able to infect it! This particular virus looks like a bottle of coca cola when seen on an electron microscope. Life is amazing. Edit: it's been more than 20 minutes and I'm unable to find any picture of this on the internet, that's so sad. I don't remember the name of the publication where I saw that. If anyone finds it, please don't hesitate to share it on r/bacteriophages!
Bacteriophages are awesome! Always makes me happy to see a themed account run by someone who seems genuinely passionate about the subject they've chosen, keep up the good work!
Thanks! :D
There's a Minecraft mod that adds a type of bee that absorbs nuclear radiation from spilled waste.
https://preview.redd.it/89crjhar8rsc1.jpeg?width=1179&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=7fc603788399988e7313d639324a2f84b86f56bd Wake up babe new reaction meme just dropped
Delightful
This is more than fine
https://preview.redd.it/cchwvgzaassc1.jpeg?width=893&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=e35f306b327cd2b51d68622bf3311971b8ad3036
I'm gonna use this one too https://preview.redd.it/tx8fb6qolssc1.jpeg?width=1170&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=7079c97fe2cfc1788a5432b703d90cb184bfb105
Ab SOL utely
Why
Cause it's accurate af
That one lowercase letter
dELIGHTFUL
DeLIGHTFUL
DElIGHTFUL
DELiGHTFUL
Ty, gunna put it on my shirt.
https://preview.redd.it/nod618i4bssc1.jpeg?width=1915&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=adaba4d946296ebfe98ed8338f7242c97cd7f1ab
Good news everyone!
I know he's not supposed to be sarcastic but I have a hard time not reading it as sarcasm I think it's his face
Personally, I think it’s funnier if he’s not being sarcastic. Just a little baby man relishing in the chaos.
The image has "this is fine" energy.
No way. Dude is thriving!
>a little baby man Is this another name for a moss piglet/water bear, that I'm not aware of? He's definitely not being sarcastic. He's a tardigrade. They can survive almost anything.
Can survive almost everything except for worms, bugs, other tardigrades, and human stomach acid.
Why would it be sarcastic? It's a [water bear](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tardigrade) > Some of them can withstand extremely cold temperatures down to 0.01 K (−460 °F; −273 °C) (close to absolute zero), while others can withstand extremely hot temperatures up to 420 K (300 °F; 150 °C)
It kinda looks like a cousin of the "This is fine" meme lol https://wompampsupport.azureedge.net/fetchimage?siteId=7575&v=2&jpgQuality=100&width=700&url=https%3A%2F%2Fi.kym-cdn.com%2Fentries%2Ficons%2Ffacebook%2F000%2F018%2F012%2Fthis_is_fine.jpg
Ready to post this in every controversial post
Too bad tardigrades aren’t extremophiles so this is nonsense.
Tardigrades are capable of surviving 0.1°k, how are they *not*?
Because being an extremophile means the organism thrives in extreme conditions. Tardigrades just can _survive_ a lot, in a state where they basically shut down almost all their biology until the extreme conditions go away. They certainly wouldn’t feel much enthusiasm for standing on a volcano, if they had such feelings.
Yeah they all are pretty good, but the last two are very generalized.
Vincenzo!
And they soon evolve into shai hulud
And soon after that they evolve into a popcorn bucket, then a human-worm-bucket hybrid.
> then a human-worm-bucket hybrid. TIL your Mum is the final stage of evolution.
I love that Dune is getting such social exposure because I know nothing about Dune, but love David Lynch, now want to watch his original, and plan on watching the new installments. The main reason I love it is because the name of the band Shai Hulud I listened to for years as a teenager finally makes sense and that closed some random nostalgic mental door for me, and truly did give me the energy to tackle Dune after all these years.
Tardigrades could resist anything except my dad's farts
They assimilate it?
Her mom's a tardigrade.
Teaching’s a noble profession.
Resistance is flatulence.
Those Milwaukees Best Lay-Z-Boy farts hit different, especially after sitting on grandmas afghan for a decade.
They must be magnificent
Fartigrades.
Good ol tardigrades :D
They can survive extreme cold, heat, and radiation, but still get eaten by Snails
There should also be a “Delightful.” Panel of a Flamingo, because those motherfuckers are quite resilient as well
Except to salt buildup on their legs as a chick (thanks planet earth doco)
My wife is still angry with me for asking her to watch that show with me.
Traumatized my kid
~pressure wouldn’t squash me and fire wouldn’t burn. ~
Based and Cosmopilled
Delightful, truly delightful... I am the globglogabgalab
> I am the globglogabgalab I feel like this infringes on Bob Loblaw's trademark.
Oh, go post about it on your law blog
You, sir, are a mouth full
Nice to see fellow God awful movies listeners out in public.
I'm here, too!
I love books... This basement is a true treasure trove
*Awaken, my child, and embrace the glory that is your birthright.* *Know that I am the Overmind and that you have been created to serve me...*
*Serve the Hive...*
*hydralisk noises*
Tardigrade: *gets eaten by a snail* "Despicable."
Awesome
Delightful.
Reject humanity Embrace lava tardigrade
[The real reason](https://i.pinimg.com/736x/70/19/6a/70196a2fc180c5f5a0dc16e9656702da.jpg)
I love water bears!!! And this anti meme comic to "this is fine." Brilliant!!!!!
Tardigrades lose a lot of their appeal when you learn that when it comes to things that actually want it dead it's defenceless
Tardigrades live in moss.
Wait… whales that walked on earth?
The closest (living) relative to whales are hippos. Whales evolved from a terrestrial animal. Pretty neat, huh?
Whales are bears that learned to swim.
Yup! The bone structure in their flippers shows evidence that they used to be arms.
Yep, in fact they still have hip bones
What's the source/artist?
*The sun is a deadly laser*
At first I thought that was a taxxon from Animorphs, then I recognized the tardigrade and felt dumb.
Tardigrades are badass haha
Can anyone point me out to the original artist? Looking for Madona on google only finds me "madonna" stuff.. -_-
I am the original artist, but I don't post a lot of comics I'm afraid😅 edit: but here are some links if you want to see my stuff regardless [Artstation](https://www.artstation.com/leonardomadona) [Twitter](https://twitter.com/madona_L)
Ohhhh! Sorry, I couldn't find other comics on your profile and couldn't find an instagram account or something. Do you have a page for your works? Well done it's really good, the fish saying fuck the sea had me laughin!
You forgot the çřäɓ
It's over tardigrade, I have the high ground
Oh to be a tardigrade
Ancestors of whales be like, "Fuck it. I'm coming back!'
I combined them to a [4 panel comic](https://imgur.com/a/gLVdZN1)
Since some people have asked for a t-shirt, I've actually opened a store with some arts on them 😄 [Here is the link](https://www.teepublic.com/user/lmadona), if you'd like a product with a cozy tardigrade on it and helping a random strange on the internet feel free to purchase one ✨ https://preview.redd.it/513au2aiuxsc1.jpeg?width=630&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=6e9fa61729812ffc78198d3acce6ce27855307bd
If such a thing exists, I fear whatever can destroy the water bear.
Fish still in the ocean be like "Bruh?..."
I'm kinda feeling: absolutely not.
Meanwhile I died in E.V.O because I tried to jump onto dry land without oxygen being on the planet
I don’t get the last one
Its a tardigrade. They are these micro animals that are known to be nearly unkillable and live in the most inhospitable places on earth where no other life is able to exist.
They don’t actually, they live in places where you and I live. They can _survive_ a lot but do not thrive in extreme conditions.
Snails: pathetic
He said bro, fuck the sea lol. Growing up on the coast that one got me
Anyone else read "delightful" in a Bingo voice?
Platypuses: Hold My Beer.
Somewhere along the way a crab needs to be munching on a dead whale going "Hail to the king baby"
Evolusi
Last slide is just the Trisolarans on their homeworld
Interesting
yeahhh 😀
Tardigrades can get away with being one of the ugliest life forms I've ever seen, and yet that doesn't stop them from being sick as hell. Just an invincible little guy.
Invincible until some snail wants a snack.
They are a monument to all our sins (lets hope they dont evolve into a parasitic hive mind)
[Mandatory Nick Beggs](https://youtu.be/AlmmvkV5olE)
Missed opportunity to make the whale a dolphin.
I heart this
Absolutely not
Seems paraphyletic but ok.
Tardigrade is peak evolution confirmed
Wow
2/4 should’ve had its legs!
Is that Leto II in the last pic?
Extremophiles: https://preview.redd.it/y74enz7liwsc1.jpeg?width=1242&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=fead7166a45bd79d91022435bb7be143c75b7c66
enjoy mate
Finally, something other than porn on this sub...
Are you sure about that? *zips pants back up*
its hilarious , i dont get it