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posted by janrinok on Thursday August 06 2015, @10:02PM   Printer-friendly
from the turning-over-a-new-leaf dept.

The natural defenses of dead plants -- which are designed to inhibit enzymes in the gut to prevent digestion -- would be toxic for any other animal. But a group of researchers from Imperial College London have discovered new molecules in the worm gut, named drilodefensins, that can counteract the toxins, breaking them down the way that dish liquid breaks apart grease.

"Without drilodefensins, fallen leaves would remain on the surface of the ground for a very long time, building up to a thick layer," said Jake Bundy, an author of the study and a professor at Imperial College, in a statement. "Our countryside would be unrecognizable, and the whole system of carbon cycling would be disrupted."

The humble worm is amazing. It can turn lawn waste and food scraps into rich black soil in a matter of weeks.


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  • (Score: 1) by purpleland on Friday August 07 2015, @02:20AM

    by purpleland (5193) on Friday August 07 2015, @02:20AM (#219369)

    Just noticed earlier poster mentioned same thing, but yeah.. this makes sense.