"Potential for Earth Life on Red Dwarf Planets"

New research examines the potential habitability of exoplanets orbiting red dwarf stars by testing the survivability of Aspergillus niger spores, which produce melanin, when exposed to simulated red dwarf radiation. The study suggests that these spores could survive the intense radiation environments on red dwarf exoplanets if shielded by a few millimeters of soil or water, highlighting the potential role of melanin in the survival of organisms in harsh conditions. This research sheds light on the possibility of life on exoplanets orbiting red dwarfs and provides insights into how melanin may have played a role in the origin and evolution of life on Earth and potentially on other worlds.