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Chernobyl Fungus Appears to Have Evolved an Incredible Ability (www.sciencealert.com)

submitted 7 months ago by A_A@lemmy.world to c/science@lemmy.world

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"That fungus is called Cladosporium sphaerospermum, and some scientists think its dark pigment – melanin – may allow it to harness ionizing radiation through a process similar to the way plants harness light for photosynthesis. This proposed mechanism is even referred to as radiosynthesis."

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/39553283 https://libretechni.ca/post/483480

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[-] SlartyBartFast@sh.itjust.works 2 points 7 months ago

I can't wait until we can lab-grow lignin, I'm talking 3D printed wood, mofuckas

[-] quick_snail@feddit.nl 1 points 7 months ago

Why would you want to take something that's cheap and make something that's wayy more expensive?

[-] SlartyBartFast@sh.itjust.works 6 points 7 months ago

Because it won't be cheap when I escape into space

[-] Heliumfart@sh.itjust.works 1 points 7 months ago

I love the idea of cracking methane brought in from Kuiper belt objects, and growing massive cubes of artificial wood with giant orbital solar arrays. In some future where this was possible, with a delivery system to the surface (maybe deorbiting into the ocean), we could theoretically curtail most deforestation on the planet.

[-] njordomir@lemmy.world 2 points 7 months ago* (last edited 7 months ago)

Returns are gonna be rough when Home Depot Orbital/Galactic drops a huge stack of bent 2x4s from orbit directly into your backyard. "Just take them back where you bought them."

Having said that, "tree" satellites sound pretty cool.