Pictures of the week: From a mosque in Oman to a mangrove in Indonesia
• Scientists estimate there could be as many as 3 million fungal species globally
• Only about 160,000 have been officially described leaving around 90% undiscovered
• Fungi account for roughly 90% of Earth's unknown biodiversity
• Forest fungi help tackle climate change, absorbing up to 36% of global fossil fuel emissions annually and storing around 5 billion tonnes of carbon in the planet's topsoil
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The National
8 hours ago
- The National
Pictures of the week: From a mosque in Oman to a mangrove in Indonesia
• Scientists estimate there could be as many as 3 million fungal species globally • Only about 160,000 have been officially described leaving around 90% undiscovered • Fungi account for roughly 90% of Earth's unknown biodiversity • Forest fungi help tackle climate change, absorbing up to 36% of global fossil fuel emissions annually and storing around 5 billion tonnes of carbon in the planet's topsoil
Khaleej Times
2 days ago
- Khaleej Times
For first time, Webb telescope discovers an alien planet
In addition to providing a trove of information about the early universe, the James Webb Space Telescope since its 2021 launch has obtained valuable data on various already-known planets beyond our solar system, called exoplanets. Now, for the first time, Webb has discovered an exoplanet not previously known. Webb has directly imaged a young gas giant planet roughly the size of Saturn, our solar system's second-largest planet, orbiting a star smaller than the sun located about 110 light-years from Earth in the constellation Antlia, researchers said. A light-year is the distance light travels in a year, 5.9 trillion miles (9.5 trillion km). Most of the roughly 5,900 exoplanets discovered since the 1990s have been detected using indirect methods, such as through observation of the slight dimming of a star's light when a planet passes in front of it, called the transit method. Less than 2% of them have been directly imaged, as Webb did with the newly identified planet. While this planet is large when considered in the context of our solar system, it is actually the least massive one ever discovered through direct imaging - 10 times less massive than the previous record holder. This speaks to the sensitivity of Webb's instruments. This discovery was achieved using a French-produced coronagraph, a device that blocks out the bright light from a star, installed on Webb's Mid-Infrared Instrument, or MIRI. "Webb opens a new window - in terms of mass and the distance of a planet to the star - of exoplanets that had not been accessible to observations so far. This is important to explore the diversity of exoplanetary systems and understand how they form and evolve," said astronomer Anne-Marie Lagrange of the French research agency CNRS and LIRA/Observatoire de Paris, lead author of the study published on Wednesday in the journal Nature. The planet orbits its host star, called TWA 7, at a distance about 52 times greater than Earth's orbital distance from the sun. To put that in perspective, our solar system's outermost planet Neptune orbits about 30 times further from the sun than Earth. The transit method of discovering exoplanets is particularly useful for spotting those orbiting close to their host star rather than much further out like the newly identified one. "Indirect methods provide incredible information for planets close to their stars. Imaging is needed to robustly detect and characterize planets further away, typically 10 times the Earth- to-sun distance," Lagrange said. The birth of a planetary system begins with a large cloud of gas and dust - called a molecular cloud - that collapses under its own gravity to form a central star. Leftover material spinning around the star in what is called a protoplanetary disk forms planets. The star and the planet in this research are practically newborns - about 6 million years old, compared to the age of the sun and our solar system of roughly 4.5 billion years. Because of the angle at which this planetary system is being observed - essentially looking at it from above rather than from the side - the researchers were able to discern the structure of the remaining disk. It has two broad concentric ring-like structures made up of rocky and dusty material and one narrow ring in which the planet is sitting. The researchers do not yet know the composition of the planet's atmosphere, though future Webb observations may provide an answer. They also are not certain whether the planet, being as young as it is, is still gaining mass by accumulating additional material surrounding it. While this planet is the smallest ever directly imaged, it is still much more massive than rocky planets like Earth that might be good candidates in the search for life beyond our solar system. Even with its tremendous capabilities of observing the cosmos in near-infrared and mid-infrared wavelengths, Webb is still not able to directly image Earth-sized exoplanets. "Looking forward, I do hope the projects of direct imaging of Earth-like planets and searches for possible signs of life will become a reality," Lagrange said.
Khaleej Times
4 days ago
- Khaleej Times
Dubai opens world's first fungi conservation centre in 'global step forward'
Dubai has opened the world's first conservation centre dedicated exclusively to fungi. This initiative, a significant step for global biodiversity, was established in partnership with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The new Centre for Species Survival officially opened on Tuesday at Terra in Expo City Dubai, marking both a regional and global milestone. Speaking to Khaleej Times, Marjan Faraidooni, Chief of Education and Culture at Expo City Dubai, explained the motivation behind the initiative. "There are many species survival centres around the world, but there hasn't been one in the Middle East. Because Terra is committed to conservation and research, and we realised nobody was focusing on fungi, we wanted to set up the centre with the IUCN," she said. "This is a global step forward that aligns with the UAE's environmental values and its commitment to biodiversity. Through this centre, we're raising awareness about ecosystems and their role in addressing global issues like climate change and biodiversity loss," she added. "We're very proud to be the first in the Emirates because we believe in the mission and the impact it can bring." Faraidooni emphasised that fungi are not only adaptable but essential to life across varied environments, including the UAE's deserts. "The beautiful thing about fungi is that they grow in places you can't imagine. They're resilient, and they thrive when the environment is right—whether in the Amazon or beneath our desert sands. We used to harvest truffles here, known locally as 'Fagaa,' which were used for both food and medicine. That tells us fungi have always been a part of our heritage," she said. The centre will initially focus on fungi native to the region, launching Red List assessments to evaluate extinction risk. "There are currently 1,300 fungi on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, so there is a lot to do to document and understand their threats to guide policy and action," Faraidooni added. What is mycelium? During the launch, experts from IUCN and the broader mycology community emphasised the pivotal role of fungi in ecological systems. Although often overlooked in conservation efforts, fungi play a crucial role in nutrient cycling, soil formation, and plant health. Underground fungal networks, known as mycelium, help trees communicate, share nutrients, and protect ecosystems from invasive species, acting as silent engineers of the natural world. Beyond ecology, speakers at the event highlighted the innovative potential of fungi in sustainability and design. Mycelium-based construction materials are being developed as biodegradable, modular building components. Mycelium-based construction materials have been utilised in a project that created a fully circular pavilion. This pavilion, made from locally sourced mycelium, was designed to be dismantled and reused for coral reef restoration. Another concept involved modular refugee shelters made from agricultural waste—these structures are low-cost, easy to assemble, and environmentally friendly. Events to foster awareness In the UAE context, fungi such as truffles and other desert fungi species are part of both ecological and cultural landscapes. Traditionally foraged after desert rains, these species have been used in medicine and are emblematic of the deep relationship between people and their environment. The centre also aims to engage local communities through education and cultural programming, with a focus on ethno-mycology—studying how people have historically interacted with fungi. Upcoming public exhibitions, school partnerships, and citizen science walks are planned to foster greater awareness. The centre is not just for scientists, it's for chefs, farmers, artists, teachers, and families. People are invited to step into Terra's "Under the Forest" exhibit for interactive experiences that showcase the impact of fungi on the ecosystem.
