Topic: Rainforest Fungus Naturally Synthesizes Diesel

[sam]

A fungus that lives inside trees in the Patagonian rain forest naturally makes a mix of hydrocarbons that bears a striking resemblance to diesel, biologists announced today. And the fungus can grow on cellulose, a major component of tree trunks, blades of grass and stalks that is the most abundant carbon-based plant material on Earth.

http://blog.wired.com/wiredscience/2008/11/rainforest-fung.html

[GillE]

Last night I heard John McCain say that if he's elected, he'll stop wasteful research such as the analysis of bear DNA.  I thought that was appalling.  You never know what gems scientific research might produce.  Indeed, many of our most useful advances have come about in this way.  This fungus is just another example.