In a groundbreaking study, scientists from the Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, part of the Chinese Academy of Science, have unveiled a remarkable discovery: a desert moss named Syntrichia caninervis that can endure conditions akin to those on Mars.
The research, published in the journal The Innovation, highlights how this resilient moss not only survived but also quickly recovered from near-total dehydration. Astonishingly, the moss was able to regenerate after being exposed to extreme environments, including five years at -80°C and 30 days at -196°C. Even more impressive, when subjected to gamma rays, doses around 500Gy actually stimulated new growth.
To test the moss's adaptability further, the team crafted an artificial Mars-like environment, replicating the planet's pressure, temperature, atmospheric gases, and UV radiation levels. The results were promising: the moss thrived in these harsh conditions and successfully regenerated once returned to standard growth settings.
This study marks a new milestone in understanding extreme life forms' resilience, offering hope for human exploration of space. The findings pave the way for the potential creation of habitable ecosystems on Mars, bringing us a step closer to establishing a human presence on the Red Planet.
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Chinese scientists find desert moss that can survive on Mars
cgtn.com
