Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
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Hello and welcome! My name is Anton and in this video, we will talk about the real life astrophage and how life thrives on radiation
Links:
Newman-Portela et al. Pentavalent and tetravalent uranium formation via glycerol-stimulated bacteria in mine water doi.org/10.1038/s41467-026-72560-z
Dadachova et al. Ionizing radiation changes the electronic properties of melanin and enhances the growth of melanized fungi doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0000457
Averesch et al. Cultivation of the Dematiaceous Fungus Cladosporium sphaerospermum Aboard the International Space Station and Effects of Ionizing Radiation doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2022.877625
Zhdanova et al. Ionizing radiation attracts soil fungi doi.org/10.1017/s0953756204000966
Cowan et al. A Natural Fission Reactor doi.org/10.1038/scientificamerican0776-36
Meshik et al. The Workings of an Ancient Nuclear Reactor doi.org/10.1038/scientificamerican1105-82
Gauthier-Lafaye et al. Natural fission reactors in the Franceville basin, Gabon: A review of the conditions and results of a 'critical event' in a geologic system doi.org/10.1016/s0016-7037(96)00245-1
0:00 Project Hail Mary and the Astrophage idea
1:30 Life on Earth uses chemical principles only
2:40 Why nuclear life never evolved
4:00 Natural nuclear reactor on Earth - Oklo reactor
6:00 No signs of life
6:40 Some organisms can still harvest radiation
10:10 Using uranium for breathing
12:15 Implications and conclusions
#astrophage #hailmary #astrobiology
Enjoy and please subscribe
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bc1qnkl3nk0zt7w0xzrgur9pnkcduj7a3xxllcn7d4
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The hardware used to record these videos:
New Camera: amzn.to/4pCVINS
CPU: amzn.to/4qXIaxC
Video Card: amzn.to/2M1W26C
Motherboard: amzn.to/2JYGiQQ
RAM: amzn.to/2Mwy2t4
PSU: amzn.to/2LZcrIH
Case: amzn.to/2MwJZz4
Microphone: amzn.to/2t5jTv0
Mixer: amzn.to/2JOL0oF
Recording and Editing: amzn.to/2LX6uvU
Some of the above are affiliate links, meaning I would get a (very small) percentage of the price paid.
Thank you to all Patreon supporters of this channel
Special thanks also goes to all the wonderful supporters of the channel through YouTube Memberships
Credit:
Mark Garlick markgarlick.com
Licenses used:
creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
and relevant Creative Commons licenses
Support this channel on Patreon to help me make this a full time job: patreon.com/whatdamath (Unreleased videos, extra footage, DMs, no ads)
Alternatively, PayPal donations can be sent here: paypal.me/whatdamath
Get a Wonderful Person Tee: teespring.com/stores/whatdamath
More cool designs are on Amazon: amzn.to/3QFIrFX
Hello and welcome! My name is Anton and in this video, we will talk about the real life astrophage and how life thrives on radiation
Links:
Newman-Portela et al. Pentavalent and tetravalent uranium formation via glycerol-stimulated bacteria in mine water doi.org/10.1038/s41467-026-72560-z
Dadachova et al. Ionizing radiation changes the electronic properties of melanin and enhances the growth of melanized fungi doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0000457
Averesch et al. Cultivation of the Dematiaceous Fungus Cladosporium sphaerospermum Aboard the International Space Station and Effects of Ionizing Radiation doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2022.877625
Zhdanova et al. Ionizing radiation attracts soil fungi doi.org/10.1017/s0953756204000966
Cowan et al. A Natural Fission Reactor doi.org/10.1038/scientificamerican0776-36
Meshik et al. The Workings of an Ancient Nuclear Reactor doi.org/10.1038/scientificamerican1105-82
Gauthier-Lafaye et al. Natural fission reactors in the Franceville basin, Gabon: A review of the conditions and results of a 'critical event' in a geologic system doi.org/10.1016/s0016-7037(96)00245-1
0:00 Project Hail Mary and the Astrophage idea
1:30 Life on Earth uses chemical principles only
2:40 Why nuclear life never evolved
4:00 Natural nuclear reactor on Earth - Oklo reactor
6:00 No signs of life
6:40 Some organisms can still harvest radiation
10:10 Using uranium for breathing
12:15 Implications and conclusions
#astrophage #hailmary #astrobiology
Enjoy and please subscribe
Bitcoin/Ethereum to spare? Donate them here to help this channel grow!
bc1qnkl3nk0zt7w0xzrgur9pnkcduj7a3xxllcn7d4
or ETH: 0x60f088B10b03115405d313f964BeA93eF0Bd3DbF
The hardware used to record these videos:
New Camera: amzn.to/4pCVINS
CPU: amzn.to/4qXIaxC
Video Card: amzn.to/2M1W26C
Motherboard: amzn.to/2JYGiQQ
RAM: amzn.to/2Mwy2t4
PSU: amzn.to/2LZcrIH
Case: amzn.to/2MwJZz4
Microphone: amzn.to/2t5jTv0
Mixer: amzn.to/2JOL0oF
Recording and Editing: amzn.to/2LX6uvU
Some of the above are affiliate links, meaning I would get a (very small) percentage of the price paid.
Thank you to all Patreon supporters of this channel
Special thanks also goes to all the wonderful supporters of the channel through YouTube Memberships
Credit:
Mark Garlick markgarlick.com
Licenses used:
creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
and relevant Creative Commons licenses
