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Scientists have discovered that wolves living near the Chernobyl nuclear plant in Ukraine have developed cancer-resistant genes.

The study was conducted by researchers from Princeton University in the United States, and was presented at the annual meeting of the Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology in Seattle, and the British Telegraph wrote about it.

Genes are short sections or parts of a strand of genetic material (DNA), and each section is responsible for the inheritance of a specific trait. For example, there is a clip that contains the hair color, and another that stores the length. The gene tells the cell to build specific proteins to do its job. There are approximately 30,000 genes in each cell of the human body.

Cancer occurs when a mutation occurs in normal genes, transforming cells from normal to cancerous.

Genes are short sections or parts of a strand of genetic material (US National Institutes of Health - Wikipedia)

Radiation resistance

On the other hand, scientists believe that the wolves that live near the Chernobyl nuclear plant have evolved to be able to resist cancer-causing radiation, through mutations in genes that protect against cancer.

Chernobyl wolves are exposed to about 11.28 millimeters of radiation per day, which is more than 6 times the safety limit for humans.

Biologists from Princeton University were studying blood samples from wolves inside and outside the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone, a 1,000-square-meter area that was cleared of human activity after the disaster.

The team found that wolves had altered immune systems, similar to cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy, in addition to genetic changes that appeared to protect against cancer.

The team hopes that the study will eventually identify these genetic mutations that could increase the odds of fighting cancer in humans.

The Chernobyl disaster occurred on April 26, 1986, with the explosion of reactor No. 4 at the nuclear power plant, which led to the spread of radioactivity throughout Europe.

Two people died immediately and 29 over the coming days due to acute radiation syndrome, while the United Nations estimated that about 4,000 others died due to the repercussions.

Several women also aborted their children for fear of being exposed to radiation poisoning.

Genetic mutation

However, in recent years, researchers have found that closing the surrounding lands to humans has allowed wildlife to flourish, with the area now a haven for lynx, bison, brown bear, wolves, and deer, as well as 60 species of rare plants.

Previous studies have shown that exposure to radiation accelerates the rate of genetic mutation among plants, with some species developing new chemistry that makes them more resistant to radiation damage and protects their DNA.

Scientists pointed out that in the past, when ancient plants were evolving, natural radiation levels on Earth were much higher than they are now, so they developed radiation-resistant qualities.

However, it was not known whether the same protective adaptations would be seen in larger animals.

Source: Al Jazeera + Agencies + Telegraph