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New fungi species found in UK
Several species of fungi new to the UK have been unearthed by mushroom experts.
Conservationists say the wet summer means some species of fungi have thrived this year and the recent warmer winters means there could be even more exotic mushrooms to be found in this country.
One of the new species to be identified has the Latin name of Tuber mesentericum, which is also known as the Bagnoli truffle, which is prized in Italy for its intense flavour. However, another new discovery is from a family of fungi commonly known as pinkgills, some of which can be very poisonous.
Experts say it is likely these new discoveries have always been at the Nottinghamshire park, but that they flourished in the extremely wet August. Several species of fungi new to the UK have been unearthed by mushroom experts. ... more -
Scientists find 890 new species in Great Smoky Mountains
The casual visitor, jockeying to park at a crowded Smokies overlook, might expect the staff to already know everything that prowls, growls and photosynthesizes in its 521,000 acres.
But secrets abound. And finding the new forms of life will help managers confront the growing threats to one of North America's richest ecosystems.
Researchers in the Great Smokies national park have already found 890 species entirely new to science.
Of those, many are microscopic: 270 types of bacteria, 78 of algae, 57 of fungi. Who knew the Smokies are a hotbed of slime molds?
Tiny creatures play an out-sized role in the park. They're the glue that holds the place together, whether munching fallen leaves into soil, pulling in nutrients or becoming a meal for something bigger.
“In many ways, these species are the power plants and lungs of the ecosystems,” UNC Chapel Hill plant ecologist Peter White told a Senate subcommittee last month. The casual visitor, jockeying to park at a crowded Smokies overlook, might expect the staff to already know everything that prowls, gr... more -
Wheat fungus: rusting away the staple
"A deadly fungus, known as Ug99, which kills wheat, has likely spread to Pakistan from Africa according to reports in the British New Scientist magazine. If true, that threatens the vital Asian Bread Basket including the Punjab region. The spread of the deadly virus, stem rust, against which an effective fungicide does not exist, comes as world grain stocks reach the lowest in four decades and government subsidized bio-ethanol production, especially in the USA, Brazil and EU are taking land out of food production at alarming rates. The deadly fungus is being used by Monsanto and the US Government to spread patented GMO seeds."
The article points to some clear issues facing our world as we continue to use less and less strains of plants. Big corporations have seed bank ownership and are therefore controlling farmers and consumers by highlighting their lack of access to time tested disease resistant strains.
with less diversified seeds planted around the world, a fungus like wheat rust could wipe out massive amounts of crop. "A deadly fungus, known as Ug99, which kills wheat, has likely spread to Pakistan from Africa according to reports in the British... more -
Giant Truffle Worth Its Weight in Gold
Its amazing that fungus could be so valuable. It goes to show that you never know what you might dig up in your backyard.
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Sniffing for riches
A pooch in Italy has sniffed out a record-breaking white truffle weighing 1.5kg, which could fetch more than 140,000. I want a truffle-sniffer to sniff me a truffle and make me some big money. Wonder if there have ever been any truffles found in the UK. Anybody know? A pooch in Italy has sniffed out a record-breaking white truffle weighing 1.5kg, which could fetch more than 140,000. I want a truffl... more
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Magic Mushroom Hunter
psilocybe semilanceata also known as Liberty Caps or Magic Mushrooms grow freely in the UK, although they are illegal. This documentary shows you how to find and identify the magic mushrooms by observing conditions,landscape and the local wildlife. Thomas Rowsell tracks stags during rutting season with a theory that the stags eat hallucinogenic fungi psilocybe semilanceata also known as Liberty Caps or Magic Mushrooms grow freely in the UK, although they are illegal. This documentar... more
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Fungi Make Biodiesel Efficiently at Room Temperature
An interesting and more energy efficient way to make biofuels.
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