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Worms living near Chernobyl nuclear plant have developed a super power [Video]

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Worms living near the world’s most well-known nuclear disaster zone appear to have developed new powers – immunity to radiation.

In a new study, scientists visited Chernobyl to investigate nematodes, tiny worms with simple genetic makeup, which rapidly reproduce.

The researchers gathered the worms from soil samples, rotting fruit and other materials and tested local levels of radiation.

The levels of radiation varied from low levels which would be recorded in large cities, and high levels that are found in outer space.

Scientists then took the worms back to New York University to freeze and study them.

The same kind of nematode worm that was tested by scientists at Chernobyl

(University of Oregon/PA)

Dr Sophia Tintor, lead author of the study, told The Daily Mail: “Chernobyl was a tragedy of incomprehensible …

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