The wolves are exposed to cancer-causing radiation as they roam the wastelands of the abandoned city - with researchers finding part of their genetic information seems resilient to increased risk of the disease.

  • scratchee@feddit.uk
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    9 months ago

    Is there a difference between the 2? If cancer is the main side effect of this level of radiation exposure, then being more resistant to cancer is also being more adapted to radiation.

    • Wooster@startrek.website
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      9 months ago

      Say you did a study that discovered that folks who actively run are statistically unlikely to have respiratory issues. How much of that is because being physically active acts as a kind of preventative maintenance vs how much of that is a kind of self culling, where folks with respiratory issues are unlikely to seek exercise.

      The end result is ultimately the same, but the mechanics behind why are different.

      Is the wolves’ natural cancer resistance just kicking into over drive, or is natural selection happening?

    • gsfraley@lemmy.world
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      9 months ago

      I guess it comes down to the transition point. If they’ve adapted in that they’re resistant to cancer developing or spreading in general, that has implications on what can be done to make humans resistant. If instead they’ve adapted to be less likely to get cancer from radiation levels that high, it’s less useful, since most people generally aren’t exposed to those levels.