Unveiling the Enigma of Fungi: Amphibian Hosts Common Mushroom
Discover the fascinating world of a frog hosting a mysterious mushroom, delve into an asteroid sculpted by NASA, witness a fish with a surprising volume, stay updated on Odie's lunar adventure, and delve into more captivating tales.
If you want to receive more stories like this one, sign up for CNN's Wonder Theory science newsletter for free.
Fungi play a crucial role in the interconnectedness of life. Despite their importance, they are sometimes viewed with mixed feelings.
Mushrooms and networks of fungal roots are valuable sources of nutritious food, mind-altering substances, and sustainable materials. They also play a crucial role in helping trees share nutrients and store carbon, which could potentially aid in combating climate change.
However, some members of the fungi family tree are harmful pathogens that can cause diseases, disrupt ecosystems, and negatively impact the health of humans and animals.
But a newly described mystery involving a mushroom and a frog suggests that fungi’s role in the environment is anything but black-and-white.
Once upon a planet
A golden-backed frog is seen with a small mushroom (right) growing out of its body.
A golden-backed frog is seen with a small mushroom (right) growing out of its body.
Lohit Y T
Some naturalists stumbled upon a strange sight within a roadside pond in the Indian state of Karnataka in June 2023: a golden-backed frog with a tiny mushroom sprouting from its flank.
The team took photos of the apparently healthy amphibian and shared their finding. Upon reviewing the images, a specialist confirmed that the mushroom on the frog was a common bonnet, a fungus typically found on decaying wood.
It remains uncertain why the mushroom chose to grow on the frog. The unusual occurrence could be due to a fungal infection, a common issue in frogs, or it might indicate a symbiotic relationship between the two organisms.
The researchers plan to return to the same spot during the next monsoon season to investigate further.
Look up
The DART mission was a groundbreaking test of asteroid deflection technology. It served as a demonstration in case humanity ever needs to protect Earth from a catastrophic collision with a space rock, similar to the event that wiped out the dinosaurs 66 million years ago.
The target of the 2022 NASA mission was Dimorphos, a small asteroid moon that orbits a larger asteroid called Didymos. By crashing into Dimorphos, the DART spacecraft successfully altered the asteroid's orbital period, changing how long it takes to orbit Didymos by approximately 32 to 33 minutes.
Space scientists have discovered more about the impact on Dimorphos. Instead of just creating a crater, the collision actually changed the asteroid in a significant way, recent studies have shown.
Lead researcher Dr. Sabina Raducan, a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Bern's Physics Institute in Switzerland, compared the transformation of Dimorphos to taking a bite out of a chocolate M&M.
Ocean secrets
Only half an inch (12 millimeters) long, but louder than 140 decibels, Danionella cerebrum is one noisy fish.
Only half an inch (12 millimeters) long, but louder than 140 decibels, Danionella cerebrum is one noisy fish.
Senckenberg/Britz
Whale songs are famous for resonating in the noisy ocean depths, but it turns out that it's not only the big marine mammals that are vocal.
Researchers have found a tiny, see-through fish that produces a sound louder than an elephant. This fish, called Danionella cerebrum, lives in shallow waters near Myanmar and can make sounds exceeding 140 decibels.
Ichthyologist Dr. Ralf Britz from the Senckenberg Natural History Collections in Dresden, Germany, stated that the noise produced by the male fish is similar to the sound of an airplane taking off from a distance of 100 meters. This is quite surprising considering the fish's small size.
To understand how the males of this species create such a loud sound, Britz and his team used high-speed video recordings, micro-CT scans, and genetic information for analysis. Their research aimed to uncover the unique mechanism behind the thunderous noise generated by these tiny animals.
Turn, turn, turn
Have you forgotten why February had an extra day this year? Here’s a quick refresher.
A leap year is like a cosmic way of keeping track of time to make sure the seasons stay in the right order. Without a leap year, the summer solstice we usually have in June would end up in December 700 years later.
According to NASA, a solar year is 365 days, 5 hours, 48 minutes, and 46 seconds long. This means that our regular 365-day calendar falls behind the solar year by about a quarter of a day every year.
While this might not seem like much of a difference, over four years, it works out to roughly a full day.
Lunar update
Odysseus was able to transmit data despite a bumpy lunar landing.
Odysseus was able to transmit data despite a bumpy lunar landing.
Intuitive Machines
Odysseus, the first American vehicle to land softly on the moon in fifty years, had a busy week following a thrilling descent and landing near the lunar south pole on February 22nd.
Despite a rough landing that tipped Odie on its side, data has successfully been sent from all six NASA instruments and commercial payloads, according to officials on Wednesday.
Now, the Intuitive Machines’ IM-1 lander must endure another challenge: surviving the lunar night. This is a critical time as the extreme cold temperatures during this period could potentially harm Odie’s hardware.
Elsewhere in our solar system, space scientists have spotted three faint and tiny moons orbiting the outermost planets in the Milky Way: Uranus and Neptune.
Curiosities
Discover these fascinating stories:
Archaeologists have recently discovered a 2,000-year-old clay head that was once part of a figurine depicting a god. This rare find offers valuable insights into the daily life of people living in Roman Britain.
A dead star that once consumed a planet in its orbit may indicate what could happen to our solar system in the future. Scientists have discovered a key factor behind the spread of invasive Jorō spiders across the United States.
Enjoyed what you just read? Well, there's even more to discover! Simply subscribe here to get the next edition of Wonder Theory delivered straight to your inbox. Wonder Theory is a creation of CNN Space and Science writers Ashley Strickland and Katie Hunt, who explore the mysteries of planets outside our solar system and unearth fascinating discoveries from ancient civilizations.
Editor's P/S:
This article presents a fascinating exploration of the diverse and often enigmatic world of fungi and their interactions with other organisms. The discovery of a mushroom growing from a frog's body raises intriguing questions about the nature of their relationship, highlighting the potential for both parasitic and symbiotic connections. The article also provides glimpses into the latest scientific advancements, from the successful DART mission that deflected an asteroid to the discovery of a tiny fish capable of producing surprisingly loud sounds. These diverse topics showcase the boundless curiosity and ongoing exploration that drive our understanding of the natural world.
The article also touches upon the importance of leap years in maintaining the alignment of our calendar with the Earth's orbit around the Sun. This seemingly mundane topic serves as a reminder of the intricate interplay between celestial events and human timekeeping. Overall, the article offers a compelling blend of scientific discoveries, natural wonders, and thought-provoking insights, leaving readers with a sense of both awe and a deeper appreciation for the interconnectedness of life on Earth.
