Researchers find desert moss could aid in transforming Martian soil and supporting future plant growth experiments.
A new study shows that Syntrichia caninervis, a type of moss found in Antarctica, can withstand radiation and freezing temperatures.In a new study, researchers from China explained that Syntrichia caninervis – a moss found in the Mojave desert, Tibet, and Antarctica – is capable of withstanding harsh Mars -like conditions.
The scientists behind the new study believe they have found the ideal candidate with Syntrichia caninervis. In lab conditions, the scientists also exposed the moss to large amounts of gamma radiation. Syntrichia caninervis was able to survive gamma radiation that would kill the majority of plants, they explained. In fact, surprisingly, doses of 500 Gy even seem to promote the plants’ growth.
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This desert moss has the potential to grow on MarsThe desert moss Syntrichia caninervis is a promising candidate for Mars colonization thanks to its extreme ability to tolerate harsh conditions lethal to most life forms.
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Blood Falls: Antarctica's crimson waterfall forged from an ancient hidden heartSascha is a U.K.-based trainee staff writer at Live Science. She holds a bachelor’s degree in biology from the University of Southampton in England and a master’s degree in science communication from Imperial College London. Her work has appeared in The Guardian and the health website Zoe.
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