The Sun Online - News: 'Mutant' children are best

I have real doubts about the veracity of this story, as it comes from the British 'Sun', which I'm told is somewhat equivalent to our National Enquirer. I'll be interested to see if there's any independent follow-up on this story from other sources.

The only reason I've blogged it is that there have been some experiments done in the past about beneficial effects of some forms of low-level radiation published in science journals, but the radiation source, type and intensity if of course quite key!

"THE Chernobyl nuclear disaster has spawned a generation of ‘mutant’ super-brainy children.

Kids growing up in areas damaged by radiation from the plant have a higher IQ and faster reaction times, say Russian doctors.

They are also growing faster and have stronger immune systems.

Radiation from the Ukrainian Chernobyl plant swept the globe and affected more than seven million people.

Professor Vladimir Mikhalev from Bryansk State University, has tracked the health of youngsters growing up in areas hit by the fallout since the 1986 accident.

He compared their mental agility and health to those in unaffected areas and found they came out top in tests.

The kids had been exposed to radiation in the atmosphere and their food supply."