Blog | The Burgundy Zine

May 14, 2021

Radiotrophic Fungi: The Fungus Among Us that Eat Radiation

Mushrooms: everybody’s favorite quirk of nature. From the psychedelic genus psilocybe and the Ophiocordyceps unilateralis that “mind control” ants, to the mushrooms that clean up oil spills and the mushrooms that may serve as planetary habitats, researchers have found yet another use for fungi: radiation protection.

“The greatest hazard for humans on deep-space exploration missions is radiation,” says a preliminary report in the bioRxiv journal. “Certain fungi thrive in high-radiation environments on Earth, such as the contamination radius of the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant… These organisms appear to perform radiosynthesis, using pigments known as melanin to convert gamma radiation into chemical energy. It is hypothesized that these organisms can be employed as a radiation shield to protect other lifeforms.”

Radiosynthesis runs parallel to photosynthesis — but instead of eating sunlight (UV radiation), these shrooms are eating gamma radiation. And it’s all possible through melanin, the same pigment that determines hair and skin color.

May 12, 2021

Gluten & Inflammation — What’s the Link?

Brain fog. Fatigue. Headaches. Upset stomach. Widespread aches. Rashes. Sound familiar? Approximately 1 percent of the global population has Celiac Disease, an autoimmune condition triggered by gluten that damages the small intestines.

Meanwhile, it’s estimated that somewhere between 0.6 to 6 percent (or potentially more) have Non-Celiac Gluten Sensitivity. Although they share similar symptoms and characteristics, Non-Celiac Gluten Sensitivity doesn’t trigger an immune response that damages the intestines. The symptoms are short-term and have less serious consequences than Celiac Disease.

In either case, however, gluten triggers inflammation among those with CD and NCGS. But… why? Hasn’t bread been a staple of the human diet for the last 10,000 years or so?

May 11, 2021

Tune-In Tuesdays #105: Beacon Bloom on Releasing Their NFT-Integrated Music Video for “Nothing Here But You”

Hailing from New Zealand, the electronic trio Beacon Bloom sends sparks through their audience with their rhythmic, dream-like single and music video for their latest single, “Nothing Here But You.”

Shot in one take, the music video takes the viewer on a scenic, immersive journey — and the best part? “Nothing Here But You” is NFT-integrated, offering fans and collectors a chance to connect with the song’s narrative in an entirely new way. 10 percent of the initial NFT sales are also being donated to The Orangutang Foundation and Regenerative Agriculture.

Recently, we spoke to Beacon Bloom’s Ryan Ferris to learn more about the band, the single, the music video, and NFTs via email. During the interview, we also learned more about the band’s passion for environmental efforts, such as regenerative agriculture.

May 10, 2021

Adding Color Into Your Life: 4 Practices to Boost Creativity by Jeremy Bowler

Writer Jeremy Bowler motivates us with a few tips to inspire more creativity.

May 8, 2021

Planet-Friendly Agriculture: It’s “Farming,” not “Harming”

Beyond the “modern-day necessities” — cars, gas, electricity, and TikTok — the historically fundamental necessity, farming, contributes to a quarter of all greenhouse gas emissions globally. These emissions arise from agricultural practices, forestry, and land-use changes.

… Oh, and cow farts (or rather, their burps). Lest we forget the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations reported that 14.5 percent of GHG emissions come from livestock, with cattle contributing to more than half of those emissions.

Since not-farming is not an option (and we can’t expect cows to never be gassy, even with dietary interventions), it’s high time for a sustainability overhaul of the agricultural industry: planet-friendly farming.

May 5, 2021

Wretched Yet No Regret by Mahik’s

Poet Mahik’s shares her deep, emotive, heartfelt poem, “Wretched Yet No Regret.”

May 4, 2021

Tune-In Tuesdays #104: Andreww on Creating “Shadow Love” and “Crossroads”

Following the release of his two gritty, grungey, alt-rock singles “Shadow Love” and “Crossroads,” we reached out to the London musician and model Andreww to learn more about each track via email.

We also dove into Andreww’s lifelong passion for music, his career as a model, and the inspiration behind the video game accompanying the “Shadow Love” single.

April 30, 2021

Vegetables Aren’t Real

By now, we’ve all heard the age-old argument about whether tomatoes are a fruit or a vegetable. Although the U.S. Supreme Court ruled tomatoes were a vegetable for “tax purposes” in 1893, a botanist would tell you that vegetables aren’t real and that tomatoes are actually a berry.

While we’re at it, cucumbers, peppers, avocados, pumpkins, pomegranates, watermelons, oranges, lemons, limes, grapes, and bananas are all berries, too. Strawberries and raspberries, however, are not. They’re “accessory fruits.”

April 29, 2021

Start Earning More While You’re Stuck Indoors by Jeremy Bowler

Writer Jeremy Bowler shares a few tips for boosting your income from the comfort of your home.

April 27, 2021

Tune-in Tuesdays #103: Pound Cake by Gone Fishin’

Soft, atmospheric, and graceful, Gone Fishin’ melts listeners with their stirring new single, “Pound Cake.”