Close readers might remember a story we did this summer on mycology, or mushroom science. We went out to Seattle to meet Paul Stamets, a researcher who looks and plays the part of someone deeply devoted to fungus. Paul showed us around his farm and explained the power of what most people consider a lawn pest. Mycelium—the root structure that grows beneath mushrooms—can be used to cure diseases, clean up oil spills, even boost human immunity in the face of viral pandemics. Not bad for simple fungus.

But while we’re on the subject, add one more virtue to the list. A team of researchers at UCLA and Trinity College recently uncovered that mushrooms—how to put this—break wind, too.