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Rainforest Fungus Synthesizes Diesel

Fluffeh alerts us to a report of a fungus that naturally produces diesel fuel, or something very close to it. "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. ... [T]the paper's authors admit that the technique is far from any sort of industrial production. 'This report presents no information on the cost-effectiveness or other details to make G. roseum an alternative fuel source,' they write." NPR has an interview with the fungus's discoverer.

2 of 244 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Joke of the Day! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Offtopic

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  2. ohOk. Jenna Jameson & Sylvia Saint walk into a by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Offtopic

    they both gets hit on their heads and walk out the way they came.

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