[NetBehaviour] Newly discovered bacteria use radiated water as food.

[marc]

Newly discovered bacteria use radiated water as food.

Deep exploration of Earth's biosphere raises excitement about the 
potential for life on Mars

Researchers from Indiana University Bloomington and eight collaborating 
institutions report in this week's Science a self-sustaining community 
of bacteria that live in rocks 2.8 kilometers below Earth's surface. 
Think that's weird? The bacteria rely on radioactive uranium to convert 
water molecules to useable energy.

The discovery is a confirmed expansion of Earth's biosphere, the 
three-dimensional shell that encompasses all planetary life.

The research has less Earthly implications, however. It will likely fuel 
optimism that life exists in other deep subsurface environments, such as 
in groundwater beneath the permafrost on Mars.

more...
http://newsinfo.iu.edu/news/page/normal/4229.html

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