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Tag: Malaysia

Movin' On Up – Global Warming Forcing Plants, Animals North & Up-Slope

Previous studies of plant and animal migrations have offered indications that something — perhaps rising temperatures — was driving species northward and/or to higher altitudes. But these studies were isolated and doubts remained as to the true trigger of these movements and migrations. But now comes evidence from the largest-scale analysis to date that such northward, migratory expansions and accelerating movements up-slope are largely attributable to warming and climate change. The ecological impacts of these shifts are unknown at present.

Strange Sponge-like Fungus Discovered – Named After 'Sponge Bob'

Just reading the comically scientific name of this newly discovered species of fungus — Spongiforma squarepantsii — is sufficient to produce smirks and a raised eyebrows, but its discovery is a rare find for mycologists; resembling a typical sea sponge, the hole-pocked fungus is only the second known member of the Spongiforma genus. The name literally translates as “the sponge form of square pants” and true to its name (though not square), the fungus has a remarkable ability to retain water; it can be squeezed like a sponge to extract its store of water.