Study finds microbes that feed on radiation waves for breakfast

Scientists have discovered a radiation-resistant microbe, Deinococcus radiodurans, nicknamed “Conan the Bacterium,” capable of withstanding radiation levels lethal to humans. This extremophile thrives in radioactive environments, offering potential solutions for bioremediation of nuclear waste and even life-support systems on Mars. The microbe’s unique antioxidant could also protect astronauts from space radiation and aid in radiation emergencies on Earth.