mushrooms

Scientists who study mushrooms get a boost from a network of sophisticated aficionados who tromp through the forests observing oddball species and sharing valuable information about their finds.

Psilocybin, the hallucinogenic substance found in "magic" mushrooms, appears to relieve the symptoms of major depression.

Edible mushrooms, not the psychedelic ones, are low in calories and high in fiber and antioxidants. But despite the hype, scientists are just now looking into how they might fight disease in humans.

Last year's forest fires have produced a bumper crop of coveted morel mushrooms in Montana's northwestern forests. But the Forest Service isn't issuing commercial licenses in some prime picking spots.

Scientists outfitted some fake fungi with LEDs and put them in a Brazilian forest to test their theory that light, not some funky mushroom fragrance, was luring bugs.