It’s not the fungi we asked for, but it’s the fungi we deserve.

The thumbnail looks like a sphincter

Radiation turns you black, instead of green, who knew..

Sadly, no. Radioactive processes happen without any external control (at least not on this level, they don't run a reactor or accelerator), and this fungus only harvests the energy.

Well if it just evolved this ability that suggests it found a unique niche. But it probably hasn't optimized this, since it doesn't have any pressure to compete against other organisms for the radiation source.

But the good news is that we could selectively breed the fungus, or even generically engineer it (once the genes are isolated) to maximize the ability much faster.

I don't know how useful it would be for site cleanup but it might at least become good insulation (like the idea of space station shielding mentioned in the article).

It eats the radiation, not its source though. The emitter would have to be removed. Maybe it could be used in shielding ? Like in space where background radiation seems to be a problem.

Like everything nuclear, it's a double edge sword. Clearing up nuclear power would be amazing. People knowing they can Nuke something and eradicate the after effects quickly

You mean, digesting one of the dotzens of toxic Uran derivatives to thin air? I don't think so.

Can’t go worse than the spray tanned ones.

You should call her a doctor

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