Science Info

Following the Chernobyl nuclear disaster, scientists identified a remarkable group of black fungi—among them Cladosporium sphaerospermum and Cryptococcus neoformans—thriving on the walls of the damaged reactor.
Unlike ordinary fungi, these organisms did not merely withstand the intense radiation; they seemed to flourish in it.

Known as radiotrophic fungi, they contain high concentrations of melanin—the same pigment found in human skin.
Researchers discovered that this melanin does more than shield the fungi from radiation: it actively absorbs ionizing radiation, such as gamma rays, and may convert it into usable energy. This process, akin to photosynthesis but using radiation instead of sunlight, is called radiosynthesis.

Experiments, including those carried out aboard the International Space Station between 2018 and 2019, confirmed that melanized fungi can reduce radiation exposure and even grow more robustly in radioactive environments than under normal conditions.
In one study, a layer of fungus just 1.7 millimeters thick blocked more than 2% of cosmic radiation. Scientists believe that thicker layers could serve as biological radiation shields in space travel, particularly for missions to Mars.

The discovery has generated considerable interest—not only for potential applications in radiation cleanup (bioremediation) and protection during space exploration, but also for advancing our understanding of how life adapts to extreme environments.
The ability of these fungi to transform a harmful energy source into sustenance stands as one of nature’s most extraordinary survival strategies.

Cockroach milk, derived from the Pacific beetle cockroach "Diploptera Punctata", has gained attention due to claims that it is three times more nutritious than cow's milk.

This species is unique among cockroaches because it is viviparous, meaning it gives birth to live young and produces a milk-like substance to nourish its embryos. This "milk" is a protein-rich secretion stored in the brood sac, where it forms nutrient-dense crystals.

Research, particularly a 2016 study published in the "Journal of the International Union of Crystallography", analyzed these crystals and found they contain proteins, fats, and sugars in a highly concentrated form.

Per unit, cockroach milk reportedly has three times the energy content of cow's milk, with a higher protein density (about 45% protein compared to cow's milk at roughly 3.5%).

It also contains essential amino acids, lipids, and carbohydrates, making it a complete nutritional source for developing embryos.

The slow-release nature of the crystals ensures sustained nourishment, which could translate to efficient human consumption.

However, producing cockroach milk for human use is challenging. Harvesting it requires extracting the substance from the brood sac, a labor-intensive process unsuitable for mass production.

Ethical and cultural barriers also exist, as many find the idea unappealing. While it could theoretically address food security due to its nutritional density, scalability and consumer acceptance remain significant hurdles.

Ongoing research explores synthesizing the milk’s proteins in labs, but commercial viability is still distant. For now, cow’s milk remains more practical, despite cockroach milk’s superior nutrient profile.

Humans emit a faint glow due to biophoton emission, a phenomenon where living organisms produce ultra-weak light as a byproduct of metabolic processes. This light, primarily in the visible spectrum, is far too dim—about 1,000 times weaker than the human eye can detect—to be seen without specialized equipment.

It originates from chemical reactions within cells, particularly those involving reactive oxygen species and free radicals during processes like cellular respiration. These reactions generate photons, which are emitted at extremely low intensities.

The glow is most pronounced in areas with high metabolic activity, such as the skin, and varies slightly with circadian rhythms, peaking in the late afternoon. Unlike bioluminescence in creatures like fireflies, which involves specific light-producing organs, human biophoton emission is a subtle, diffuse process occurring at the molecular level.

Research, such as studies from Japanese scientists using ultra-sensitive cameras, has confirmed this phenomenon, detecting emissions strongest on the face and neck. While invisible to us, this glow reflects the body’s biochemical activity and could potentially offer insights into health diagnostics, though its practical applications remain under exploration. This faint radiance underscores the intricate, dynamic nature of human biology.

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