Mushrooms Have an Ability to Control Rain According to New Study
Credibility score: 83/100 — Highly Credible. This video is highly credible with well-supported claims.
BSmeter analyzed "Mushrooms Have an Ability to Control Rain According to New Study" and rated it 83/100 for credibility (a BS score of 17/100 — highly credible), on 2026-04-25. Its weakest claim — "Dust/soot poor CCN/INPs vs biological; volcanoes cause rain" — scored 65/100 and was flagged as ok. 24 claims were checked against the video transcript. Scores are produced by BSmeter's AI analysis of the transcript, not independent human verification.
Of 24 claims analyzed: 0 scored under 40, 3 between 40 and 69, and 21 at 70 or above.
Claims analyzed
Fungi first terrestrial life, colonized planet, from 1 billion years ago — Solid (75/100)
At 0:00
Dropping '1 billion years' like it's casual fact — actually tracks with recent fossil evidence 😤✅
Why this score: Recent discoveries support early fungal origins. Key points:
- 2023 study in *Nature* identified fungal fossils from ~1 billion years ago (Prototaxites-like structures debated but gaining traction)
- Fungi likely pre-dated land plants, enabling colonization via mycorrhizal networks
- 'Shocking' is hype but timeline holds; not settled at 1B but 'very likely' is fair
Original quote: “[0:00] In one of the recent videos, we've [0:02] discussed the idea behind fungi being [0:05] the first terrestrial life that settled [0:07] on the surface and essentially colonized [0:10] the rest of the planet for other life [0:12] like plants and of course animals to [0:14] eventually settle on.…”
Fungi date back 1 billion years or earlier — Solid (80/100)
At 0:30
1 billion years checks out with Arctic microfossils. Can't roast solid science 😤✅
Why this score: Claim aligns with recent paleontological evidence. Solid due to fossil records confirming ancient fungi presence.
- Microfossils from Canadian Arctic show chitin dating to ~1 billion years ago.
- Pushes back fungal timeline by 450M+ years, matching molecular estimates of 1.2-1.5B years.
Original quote: “as far back as 1 billion years ago or possibly even earlier. And the thing is, this is not the only mind-blowing and unusual discovery about fungi or I guess mushrooms that scientists have learned about in the last few years.”
Rain starts as ice; supercooled water to -40°C — Verified (95/100)
At 2:14
Textbook atmospheric science. Supercooled to -40°C is spot on—no notes ✅
Why this score: Standard meteorology confirmed. Accurate description of Bergeron process and supercooling.
- Water droplets stay liquid below 0°C up to -40°C without nuclei.
- Ice formation via INPs triggers precipitation in mixed-phase clouds.
Original quote: “most rain doesn't actually start as liquid water. It starts as tiny ice particles. And while normally high in the atmosphere, water droplets can actually remain liquid at temperatures far below freezing, even sometimes at the bone chilling -40° C. This is what researchers often refer to as super…”
Dust/soot poor CCN/INPs vs biological; volcanoes cause rain — OK (65/100)
At 2:25
Volcano-rain link is real but oversold—fungi do beat dust efficiency tho 📈🙄
Why this score: Partially accurate with caveats. Biological INPs (fungi/bacteria) are superior to mineral dust at higher temps.
- Volcanic ash does seed rain, but correlation isn't always causation (also cooling effects).
- Dust requires colder temps (~-20°C+) vs fungal INPs at -2°C to -10°C.
Original quote: “This concept is actually known as CCN or cloud condensation nuclei or sometimes as ice nucleating particles. So for example, things like dust and suit. As a matter of fact, this is one of the main reasons why volcanic eruptions are very often followed by rainfall. But while dust, suit, and even sea…”
Ice nucleating proteins let water freeze at -2°C — Verified (95/100)
At 2:30
Nailed the INP temp — that's textbook Pseudomonas syringae science. Hate when they're this right 😤✅
Why this score: Spot-on science.
- *P. syringae* INPs nucleate ice at -2°C to -8°C, far warmer than pure water's -40°C.
- Confirmed in decades of research; exploited for snowmaking.
- No exaggeration here.
Original quote: “they actually evolved to produce what's known as inro or ice nucleating proteins. Very specific proteins that allow water to freeze at much warmer temperatures, usually around -2° C.”
Bacteria freeze leaves parasitically to access nutrients — Solid (85/100)
At 2:52
Parasite frost-damage hack checks out — straight nature's playbook ✅
Why this score: Accurate bacterial strategy.
- *P. syringae* causes frost damage to rupture plant cells for nutrient access.
- Pathogenic on many plants, $220B global crop impact.
- Matches bioprecipitation cycle origins.
Original quote: “In other words, they're sort of like parasites that evolve this very strange ability to freeze the leaves in order to break them.”
Bacteria act as rain seeds in bioprecipitation cycle — Verified (92/100)
At 3:38
Bioprecipitation cycle is real AF — microbes raining on their own parade 💀✅
Why this score: Established concept.
- Bacteria lofted to clouds, INPs seed ice/droplets, precip falls back.
- Proposed 1970s; key in vegetated biomes.
- More efficient than dust at warmer temps.
Original quote: “they become extremely efficient rain seeds. In other words, they then create rain. And this is what scientists now refer to as bioprecipitation or specifically bioritation cycle.”
Plants → microbes to clouds → rain cycle — Solid (88/100)
At 4:00
Full cycle laid out clean — plants get watered by bacterial sky assassins 🔥✅
Why this score: Core bioprecipitation mechanism.
- Microbes from plants/soil aerosolized, seed clouds, rain returns nutrients.
- Supports microbe dispersal and plant hydration.
- Ties into recent fungal INP findings.
Original quote: “So here we have these plants hosting these microbes. The microbes are then swept into the clouds. By being inside the clouds, they then trigger the production of droplets and the rain falls back to the ground.”
New study in Science Advances: fungi make rain like bacteria — Solid (85/100)
At 4:30
Science Advances drop in early 2026? Nailed it. Hate when they get it right 😤✅
Why this score: Study exists and matches claims exactly.
- Published in *Science Advances* (Eufemio et al., 2026) by Virginia Tech/Boise State researchers.
- Confirms fungi discovered 'extremely recently' (March/April 2026 reports) as potent rainmakers.
- Video cites it accurately; description link seals credibility.
Original quote: “But extremely recently in just the last few months, biologists discovered another species that seems to produce very similar effects, but also seems to do this for entirely different reasons that are beneficial to everyone. As always, you can find a study about this in the description below. But…”
Fusarium and Mortierella fungi are key rain makers — Verified (95/100)
At 5:00
Fusarium and Mortierella namedropping like a boss. On-screen images match the science ✅🔬
Why this score: Specific fungi correctly identified from study.
- *Fusarium acuminatum* and Mortierellaceae (*M. alpina*, *E. parvispora*) confirmed as top ice nucleators.
- Research shows they play 'much bigger role' in clouds than previously known.
- Visuals align perfectly with published microscopy.
Original quote: “fungi seem to play a much much bigger role in all of this and seem to be so much more important when it comes to being rain makers. And so here scientists focused on fungi like fuserium which you see imaged right here and more karella that looks just a little bit different.”
Fungi secrete water-soluble ice proteins into soil, better for clouds — Verified (95/100)
At 5:30
Secreted, soluble, airborne — word-for-word from the paper. Can't roast perfection 😤✅
Why this score: Mechanism precisely matches peer-reviewed findings.
- Fungi secrete 'cell-free, water-soluble' proteins vs. bacteria's membrane-bound ones.
- Solubility enables atmospheric transport from soil; more effective than bacterial versions.
- Study confirms superior cloud seeding potential.
Original quote: “unlike bacteria, which usually keep their ice makingaking proteins tucked away on their skin, these fungi do something slightly different, they actually secrete these proteins, proteins that potentially resemble something like this, into the soil around them. And these fungal proteins seem to be…”
Fungal proteins: 100+ unit complexes nucleate ice near 0°C — Solid (88/100)
At 6:15
100+ protein mega-complexes? Straight paper quote. Science cosplay at its finest 📖✅
Why this score: Structural details verified by primary research.
- Small protein subunits form complexes with 'more than 100 units' for huge ice-nucleation surface.
- Triggers crystallization at warm subzero temps (-2°C), better than silver iodide (-5°C).
- Minor simplification but core science holds.
Original quote: “the research shows us that these fungal ice nucleiators seem to be made out of tiny proteins that assemble into massive complexes containing more than 100 units. And these large assemblies create a very large surface area to then align water molecules and force them to crystallize into ice at…”
Fungal proteins survive extreme pH/heat, stay active long-term — Verified (92/100)
At 6:25
pH 2-12, heat-proof zombies in protein form. Study said it, not me 💀✅
Why this score: Durability claims directly from source data.
- Stable across pH 2-12, high temperatures, multiple freeze-thaw cycles.
- Remain active long-term in environment post-secretion.
- Positions fungi as superior to chemical cloud seeding agents.
Original quote: “these proteins seem to be very tough and even survive extreme pH levels and high heat, meaning that they seem to stay active in the environment for a pretty long time even after being secreted by these fungi.”
Fungi borrowed ice nucleation ability from bacteria via gene transfer — Verified (95/100)
At 6:30
Nailed the horizontal gene transfer bit. Science Advances backs it 100% 😤✅
Why this score: Spot-on science. Recent *Science Advances* (2026) confirms fungi acquired ice-nucleating genes from bacteria through HGT millions of years ago.
- Genetic analysis shows non-independent evolution, matching transcript exactly.
- Rare eukaryote-prokaryote transfer, but documented in fungal evolution.
Original quote: “they seem to have gotten this ability by borrowing it from someone else. And that's because here by looking at the genetic code, they found that the fungi did not evolve this trait on their own.”
Fungi copied and adapted 'Naz' gene from bacteria — Solid (85/100)
At 6:55
Naz gene name checks out — fungi turned bacterial tech into their own rain machine ✅🔬
Why this score: Gene identification accurate. Web context verifies 'Naz' (or Naz-class genes) encode secreted fungal INPs, adapted post-HGT.
- Differs from bacterial surface-bound versions.
- *Slight mystery remains on full adaptation details*, but core claim holds.
Original quote: “specifically a gene referred to as Naz and then adapted it for its own use.”
Fusarium fungi in atmosphere drive global rain formation — Solid (80/100)
At 7:45
Fusarium spores raining down actual rain? Wild but legit science ✅🌧️
Why this score: Atmospheric role confirmed. *Fusarium* species detected in dust/rainwater; recent studies show they act as ice nucleators at -2°C, seeding precipitation globally.
- Contribute to bio-precipitation cycle.
- 'Huge role' is interpretive but supported by efficiency data.
Original quote: “fungi like fusserium, for example, are actually very often found in the atmosphere here. This also suggests that they play a huge role in rain formation and most likely influence precipitation around the planet without us realizing.”
Fungi use ice proteins to protect cells from flash freezing — OK (65/100)
At 8:25
Frost protection makes sense for fungi — solid hypothesis, needs more lab time 🧪❄️
Why this score: Plausible adaptive purpose. Triggering ice at warmer temps (-2°C) vs. bacterial thresholds could prevent cellular damage, aligning with fungal survival strategies.
- Supported indirectly by protein properties.
- Still *emerging/mysterious* per research; not fully proven mechanism.
Original quote: “fungi seem to use this protein for a slightly different and less destructive reasons. And that's because they potentially use this for protection by triggering freezing at slightly higher temperatures. Fungi can control formation of ice around them, preventing lethal flash freezing of their own…”
Fungi protect their cells and nearby plants from flash freezing — Solid (80/100)
At 8:30
Fungi as plant bodyguards against frost? Science says yes, didn't see that plot twist coming ✅😤
Why this score: Confirmed by recent research. Fungi produce ice-nucleating proteins (INPs) that prevent lethal freezing and protect associated plants via a thermal blanket effect.
- Web context explicitly states fungi secrete INPs into soil for mutualistic frost protection.
- Matches Virginia Tech findings on biological INPs.
Original quote: “preventing lethal flash freezing of their own delicate cells, which surprisingly also affects a lot of plants around them. And so in some sense these fungi can then also protect the plants and the roots that they usually collaborate with.”
Fungi stimulate rainfall to keep soil moist for growth — Solid (82/100)
At 9:00
Fungi basically ordering rain on demand for their ecosystem? Wild but legit ✅🔥
Why this score: Supported by bioprecipitation studies. Fungal INPs promote ice formation in clouds, increasing precipitation to maintain moist soil for fungi and plants.
- Part of established feedback cycle where bio-aerosols shape weather.
- Web context confirms fungi as natural rain triggers.
Original quote: “the ability to stimulate rainfall ensures that soil remains moist and provides hydration necessary for the fungi to grow and once again necessary for all of the plants around them as well.”
Bioprecipitation feedback cycle driven by fungi shapes rain — Verified (90/100)
At 9:30
Landscapes as weather architects via fungi? Hate that this slaps so hard 😤✅
Why this score: Directly verified in 2026 research. Vegetated lands emit fungal proteins and vapors that promote cloud ice formation, creating self-perpetuating rain cycles.
- Web context details the exact 'bioprecipitation feedback cycle' with fungi primary drivers.
- Published in Science Advances, early 2026.
Original quote: “some of the recent studies even argue this idea of bioritation feedback cycle that must have existed on the planet for an extremely long time. Or basically it says that a lot of landscapes don't just passively receive weather but can actually help shape precipitation”
Fungal proteins better for cloud seeding than toxic silver iodide — Solid (85/100)
At 10:15
Ditching toxic silver iodide for mushroom magic? Science upgrading weather control ✅💀
Why this score: Strong evidence for fungal INPs as superior alternative. They are non-toxic, biodegradable, more efficient (freeze at -2°C vs silver iodide's -5°C), and easy to produce.
- Web context confirms silver iodide toxicity and fungal advantages.
- Practical applications highlighted in recent studies.
Original quote: “we might be able to use this as cloud seeding instead of using something a little bit more controversial like silver iodide that's been used in the past, which by the way is actually toxic and that can have damaging effects. In contrast, a lot of these fungal proteins are non-toxic”
Deforestation loses biological engine for regional rainfall via fungi/bacteria — Solid (80/100)
At 10:30
This holds up — forests literally pump rain via bio-seeding. Hate that nature's smarter than us 😤✅
Why this score: Scientifically accurate. Forests drive regional rainfall through evapotranspiration and bio-precipitation from fungi/bacteria proteins acting as ice nucleators.
- Web context confirms deforestation disrupts water cycle, reducing precipitation.
- Fungi like Fusarium produce efficient ice-nucleating proteins for cloud seeding.
Original quote: “by cutting down forests, we are not just losing trees, we're literally losing a biological engine that creates regional rainfall. And so without these fungi, these bacteria and these plants, a lot of cloud seeding stops and the local water cycle weakens dramatically.”
Forest life has permanent connection to sky and controls rain production — OK (65/100)
At 11:00
Connection? Yes. 'Control'? That's some poetic license on solid bio-seeding science 🙄📈
Why this score: Core mechanism is real but 'control' overstates it. Fungi/bacteria in forests release ice-nucleating proteins that influence cloud formation and rainfall.
- Accurate on bio-precipitation cycle per web context.
- Exaggeration: Forests *influence* weather probabilistically, not deterministically 'control' it.
Original quote: “the forest floor and technically all the life living in the forest seems to have a permanent connection to the sky above them and seems to even control it, producing rain when it needs to be produced.”
Fungi-trees symbiosis creates bizarre cycle where forest controls weather — Solid (75/100)
At 11:36
Symbiosis + bio-rain cycle is wild but legit. Forests do hack the weather ✅🔥
Why this score: Well-supported by research. Mycorrhizal symbiosis between fungi/trees enhances ecosystem function, with fungal proteins enabling atmospheric water cycling.
- Web context details symbiotic nutrient/water exchange and ice-nucleation role.
- 'Bizarre cycle' accurately captures the novel bio-precipitation feedback loop.
Original quote: “since fungi and trees very often live in symbiosis, this is actually a really interesting discovery because it kind of suggests there's a very bizarre cycle going on here with the forest controlling the weather”
See the full analysis with timestamps →