Articles tagged with Fungal Infections
A study by UC Davis scientists reveals that two organisms - a fungus and a bacterium - cause blossom blight in strawberries. The fungus Cladosporium cladosporioides renders the fruit unattractive, while the bacterium Xanthomonas fragariae causes occasional fruit loss, mainly of minor economic importance.
Researchers have developed a new technique to spot contaminated corn by listening for telltale noises made by mouldy kernels when exposed to infrared strobe light. The method uses Fourier Transform Infrared Photoacoustic Spectroscopy (FTIR-PAS) and achieves a 96% accuracy in spotting clean and contaminated corn.
A new protein in Candida albicans allows the fungus to adhere strongly to mucosal cells, facilitating its growth and proliferation. The discovery could lead to the development of inhibitors to prevent or treat Candidiasis infections.
Hundred-year-old corals are succumbing to diseases they previously survived, highlighting the impact of rising ocean temperatures and worsening pollution on ecosystems. Researchers warn that as oceans become degraded, disease outbreaks and new pathogens may emerge, posing a significant threat to marine life.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins School of Public Health discovered that administering itraconazole to HIV-positive patients with P. Marneffei infection can prevent relapse, reducing the risk by 100%. The study showed a 50% relapse rate among untreated patients compared to zero in those treated with itraconazole.
Plant cells respond to fungal invasion by generating reactive oxygen intermediates, ion fluxes, and changes in gene activity. Gentle mechanical stimulation mimics this effect, suggesting physical contact is sufficient for triggering the defense response.
Researchers found that non-dermatologists prescribed less-effective yet more costly medications for fungal skin diseases. Dermatologists prescribed single agents with lower failure rates and costs. The study has implications for health maintenance organizations limiting access to specialists.
A new fungal disease has been identified as a potential cause of mass frog deaths in Australia and Panama, with similar declines observed in pristine rainforests. The fungus is thought to disrupt frogs' skin mechanisms, leading to fatal infections.
A new fungus has been discovered that is killing frogs and toads worldwide, with 10 species affected in Australia and seven in Panama. The fungus, thought to be suffocating the animals by coating their skin and legs, may be a major factor behind the decline of amphibian populations reported globally.
A breakthrough in taxol production has been made by Cytoclonal Pharmaceutics Inc. and MSU, moving the technology closer to manufacture and use. The sublicense agreement with Bristol-Myers Squibb aims to develop microbial fermentation of taxol, a renewable source for the potent drug.
Sorghum ergot is a serious fungal disease affecting hybrid seed production, causing significant losses in crop yields and food insecurity. Global cooperation among scientists and agencies is underway to develop strategies for fungicidal control, host-plant resistance, and ecology of ergot.
A new, aggressive strain of the late blight fungus, US-8, is devastating potato fields in the US and Canada, resistant to metalaxyl, a commonly used fungicide. The fungus reproduces rapidly, producing massive numbers of spores that can infect stored potatoes, leading to widespread crop loss.
A University of Delaware scientist has identified a critical dispatcher gene NDR1 that coordinates the defense response in Arabidopsis thaliana against a broad range of attackers. The gene may ultimately help researchers design hardier, more disease-resistant crops.
Researchers at the University of Michigan found that dedicated PET scanners are significantly more accurate than dual-head coincidence cameras in detecting cancer. They also showed that PET can diagnose infections in just an hour or less, compared to days with conventional tests.
A new study has uncovered the genetic wiring diagram underlying Candida's infectiousness, revealing two parallel genetic pathways that account for its ability to filament. Inactivating both pathways renders Candida harmless to macrophages and mice, offering new avenues for treating fungal infections.
A recent study reveals that the potato famine fungus has resurfaced 150 years after its devastating impact on Ireland, with virulent and fungicide-resistant strains causing widespread damage. Researchers have identified several options for managing the blight, including DNA fingerprinting and simplified enzyme assays.
Duke researchers found an existing class of drugs, cyclosporin and FK506, effectively stops the growth of the fungus Cryptococcus neoformans. The compounds are now being tested in animals with fungal infections.
Scientists at Indiana University have identified a new potential target for treating parasitic diseases in human cells. The discovery suggests that chloroplast-like plastids, which are found in single-celled parasites, may play an important role in the cell and could be targets for drug therapies.
Researchers have discovered crucial proteins called septins in filamentous fungi, which could serve as a target for antifungal agents. The finding may help develop new treatments for fungal diseases, which have dramatically increased in recent years.
A new, potentially serious disease known as White Pox has been discovered on coral reefs near Key West, Florida, causing extensive damage and killing up to 80% of elkhorn coral. The cause of the disease remains unknown, but researchers are studying it to understand its origins and potential impact on the marine ecosystem.