Worms in the Chernobyl exclusion zone do not show any signs of radiation damage

They could help scientists improve DNA repair treatments.

Microscopic worms that live in the radioactive exclusion zone of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant have scientists scratching their heads for one reason. Surprisingly, worms collected in this area as part of the study do not show any signs of radiation damage.

As Science Alert writes, this finding does not mean that the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone is now safe, but it does indicate that the worms are resilient and able to adapt to conditions that other species may find unfavorable.

Radioactive materials expose organisms to high and dangerous levels of ionizing radiation, which increases the risk of mutations, cancer, and death.

A team of biologists at New York University say the discovery could provide insight into DNA repair mechanisms that could be adapted to…