Sure, the source of the radiation must run its course but compounds like Chlorophyll and Melanin are radiation absorbers (eaters) that transform EM energy into usable energy (converts the energy from the radiation into chemical energy) for growth.There is no such thing as "eating radiation". Radioactivity does not involve chemical reactions and nuclear decay must runs its course.
METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS:
Ionizing irradiation changed the electron spin resonance (ESR) signal of melanin, consistent with changes in electronic structure. Irradiated melanin manifested a 4-fold increase in its capacity to reduce NADH relative to non-irradiated melanin. HPLC analysis of melanin from fungi grown on different substrates revealed chemical complexity, dependence of melanin composition on the growth substrate and possible influence of melanin composition on its interaction with ionizing radiation. XTT/MTT assays showed increased metabolic activity of melanized C. neoformans cells relative to non-melanized cells, and exposure to ionizing radiation enhanced the electron-transfer properties of melanin in melanized cells. Melanized Wangiella dermatitidis and Cryptococcus neoformans cells exposed to ionizing radiation approximately 500 times higher than background grew significantly faster as indicated by higher CFUs, more dry weight biomass and 3-fold greater incorporation of (14)C-acetate than non-irradiated melanized cells or irradiated albino mutants. In addition, radiation enhanced the growth of melanized Cladosporium sphaerospermum cells under limited nutrients conditions.
Hi,Godzilla came from the radiation of the Atomic bombs tested on the Bikini Atoll but we have yet to meet the creature from Chernobyl or Fukushima. SciFi fans eagerly await!
by Jake Hertz
by Jake Hertz
by Aaron Carman
by Duane Benson