Chernobyl birds adapt to radiation

In the exclusion zone around Chernobyl birds have adapted not only to ionizing radiation but have begun to receive from him additional bonuses. According to the journal of the British Ecological Society "Functional Ecology" prolonged stay in areas with high radiation levels leads to the remarkable adaptation of animals. Although until now it was thought that similar radioactive background inevitably leads to negative consequences for all living things.

The classic point of view – ionizing radiation destroys the antioxidants and boosts the body the amount of free radicals. Scientists have found the opposite effect, with the increase of the radiation background have adapted birds the level of antioxidants increases.

Laboratory experiments showed that people and other animals can adapt to radiation, and that prolonged exposure to low doses of radiation help this adaptation.

Now scientists continue to experiment with different types of flora and fauna of the exclusion zones of Chernobyl and Fukushima, in order to determine the most resistant to radiation types and characteristics of organisms to withstand radioactive radiation. In the future this may help in developing more effective means of protection and treatment of the effects of radiation.





Source: facepla.net