Articles tagged with Fungal Infections
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Researchers found that climate change led to a shift in the host choice of zombie ant fungi, from leaves to twigs and bark, as tropical forests transitioned to temperate areas. The study, published in Evolution, reveals that this adaptation occurred independently in different locations around the world.
The rise in resistance to antifungal treatments mirrors the well-established threat of bacteria, which have become resistant to antibiotics. Fungal infections, including blights affecting food crops, yeast and mould-related infections in humans and livestock, can be fatal for those with underlying conditions.
Researchers found that probiotics can decrease the mortality rate of nosemosis in bees by up to 40% and are as effective as commercial probiotics. The study suggests using beneficial bacteria from healthy bee microbiota to combat this disease.
A deadly fungus, chytridiomycosis, affecting amphibian populations was traced to the Korean peninsula through genetic sequencing of 177 fungal samples. Human trade of amphibian species accelerated its global spread, with strains showing varying levels of virulence.
Researchers found that the sex composition and mating dynamics of a fruit fly community significantly impact disease transmission rates. Males faced a greater risk of infection when outnumbered by females, highlighting the importance of social context in disease spread.
A Monash University study has identified a lethal fungus that destroys the immune cell responsible for killing it by depleting its source of nutrients. The research found that Candida albicans competes with macrophages for glucose, leading to their death.
Parasites have evolved to 'hack' their host's nervous system, controlling behavior and decision-making. Researchers explore the mechanisms involved, discovering compounds that act on neural circuitry, offering insights into neural control of animal behavior.
A study led by Rutgers University scientists has found that a fungus causing devastating rice disease became harmful 21 million years ago. The researchers identified key genes and proteins that promote the infection process, offering insights into developing new fungicides and quarantines to combat crop diseases.
Researchers at the University of Birmingham have discovered a unique mechanism driving the spread of Cryptococcosis, a rare and deadly fungal infection. The 'division of labour' process relies on extracellular vesicles to coordinate behavior between individual fungal cells.
The study demonstrates the efficacy of a single dose of NDV-3A in reducing recurrences of vaginitis in patients with RVVC, with younger patients showing higher efficacy rates. The vaccine also generates rapid and robust immune responses.
A study by University at Buffalo researchers found that drug-filled 3D printed dentures can reduce fungal growth in the mouth. The innovative technology uses microscopic capsules to release Amphotericin B, an antifungal medication, which can help prevent infection while dentures are in use.
A 6-year-old boy with intestinal pseudo-obstruction and chronic health issues develops a rare fungal infection Mucor velutinosus in his central line. He is successfully treated with an antifungal drug, highlighting the importance of thorough investigation and good antibiotic stewardship.
A study published in Science reveals that some Central American frog species are recovering from a deadly fungal pathogen, with skin secretions showing improved antimicrobial defenses. The research suggests that the pathogen remains lethal, but frogs' natural defenses appear to be more effective than before the epidemic.
Researchers at UTSA investigate the potential for vaccine development against Cryptococcus, a fungus that can cause deadly fungal meningitis in immunocompromised individuals. The study highlights the need for further research to overcome current challenges in distinguishing between human and fungal cells.
Researchers have discovered that immune cells cause dangerous blood vessel blockage in response to fungal infections, leading to new therapeutic targets. The study's findings could lead to the development of treatments that prevent this blockage without inhibiting the immune system.
A new study suggests that amphibian populations in Panama have started becoming more resistant to the deadly fungal pathogen chytridiomycosis. Over 2,000 diagnostic samples show a decrease in the prevalence of the fungus since the initial epidemics occurred.
Researchers found that frogs surviving the chytridiomycosis epidemic developed stronger defenses against the fungus, inhibiting its growth. However, captive breeding programs face challenges in replicating these findings, highlighting the need for further research on disease dynamics and host resistance.
New research finds that fungi in healthy adults' gut samples correspond to species present in saliva, foods, or experimental diets. These fungi pass through the GI tract as part of digestion rather than colonizing.
A new approach using drug-like molecules is being tested to tackle fungal infections, which cause billions of illnesses and 1.5 million deaths annually. The project uses glycan-based molecules that weaken fungal cell walls, making them more visible to the immune system.
Infected 'zombie ants' do not face aggression from their nest mates, but instead continue to share food resources until they leave the nest to die. The fungus is a chronic condition for the colony, without inducing strong defensive measures.
Researchers have documented a strange relationship between periodical cicadas and a fungus called Massospora cicadina that hijacks their behavior and causes them to spread the fungus' spores. The infected cicadas exhibit unusual behaviors, such as wing flicking and attempting to mate with uninfected females.
Washington State University researchers are working on developing resistant spinach varieties against Fusarium wilt, a devastating disease that has been crippling farmers' crops in the Pacific Northwest. The team is testing over 600 varieties of spinach and studying their DNA to find genetic markers that reveal natural resistance.
Scientists found that Trichophyton rubrum nearly all belong to a single mating type and refuse to mate with others, even under various conditions. The fungus's high clonality may limit its ability to adapt, making it more susceptible to new antifungal medications.
Researchers have made breakthroughs in understanding how rust fungi infect crops and evolve virulence using latest genome sequencing technologies. The study uncovered high levels of genetic diversity between the two chromosome copies, which likely serves as the basis for rapidly evolving new rust strains.
A Phase 2 clinical trial in South Africa found that revaccination with the Bacille Calmette-Guerin (BCG) vaccine significantly reduced sustained TB infections in adolescents. An experimental subunit vaccine candidate, H4:IC31, also showed promise in preventing TB infection or disease.
Scientists have isolated a natural resistance gene, Stb6, that confers protection against Septoria tritici blotch (STB), a major threat to wheat production. The discovery holds promise for deciphering other resistance genes and developing a natural barrier to infection.
A new blood test, T2Candida Panel, detects candidemia with high accuracy, reducing time to diagnosis by nearly two days. The test shows promise in speeding up treatment and potentially improving patient survival rates.
Research classifies olive varieties by their susceptibility to anthracnose, with Picual variety found to be highly resistant. Almost all Spanish cultivars are classified as susceptible or moderately susceptible, highlighting the need for farmers to choose resistant varieties.
A new study suggests that the opening of the Panama Canal in 1914 may have led to the introduction of a deadly fungal disease, Cryptococcus gattii, into the Pacific Northwest region. The fungus, native to tropical regions, has caused outbreaks in Washington and Oregon, with symptoms including cough, shortness of breath, and confusion.
Scientists have identified two fungal genes that cause disease in corn, which could lead to the development of more resistant hybrid varieties. The discovery provides insight into how the fungus outsmarts corn's defenses and may enable researchers to create plant varieties that can detect and resist specific pathogens.
A new antifungal compound has been shown to effectively treat drug-resistant Candida auris, a major contributor to hospital outbreaks and deadly infections. The novel mechanism of action suggests the potential for broader treatment applications across fungal species.
Ants kill fungus-infected pupae to stop the pathogen's lifecycle and prevent infection in the colony. The ants detect sick colony members using chemical cues and perform 'destructive disinfection' to eliminate them.
Researchers have identified a weakness in the lethal fungus Pseudogymnoascus destructans that causes white-nose syndrome. The fungus is highly sensitive to UV light, making it susceptible to novel treatments that could save bat populations.
Researchers have gained crucial gene-level insights into an age-old evolutionary arms race between wheat and stem rust disease, a devastating fungal pathogen. The studies identified key peptides released by the fungus that can evade plant immune systems, potentially allowing for more effective DNA testing to identify resistant crops.
A new study published in Science Advances suggests that the emerging snake fungal disease could infect all snakes globally, regardless of their ancestry or habitats. The disease, caused by Ophidiomyces ophidiodiicola, primarily affects snakes' skin, leading to lesions and potentially deadly outcomes.
A genetic analysis of 33 Candida glabrata strains found that they can reproduce sexually, exchanging genes that may lead to drug resistance. This discovery sheds light on the evolution of candidiasis and highlights the need for a more diverse approach in studying this pathogen.
Researchers at the University of Copenhagen have developed a model to calculate the impact of synergistic chemicals on environmental damage, which can aid in EU environmental legislation. The model can predict the effects of certain synergistic antifungal agents and gain insight into how synergy arises.
Researchers found that cell cycle proteins are crucial for releasing neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) in immune cells. This process helps to contain and eliminate fungal infections in mice and human cells.
Scientists followed 150 adolescents infected with M. tuberculosis for several years, finding elevated immune system activity 1-2 years before diagnosis and suppressed gene expression in T cells before active disease began. This study provides a clearer timeline of biological events leading to pulmonary TB development.
A new study indicates that the common eastern froglet can carry infections without experiencing mortality, which hinders efforts to reintroduce threatened species. The frog's wide distribution and high densities suggest it plays a key role in maintaining disease levels within ecosystems.
Researchers successfully transplanted beneficial microbes from a healthy, related species to a critically endangered Hawaiian plant, Phyllostegia kaalaensis. The treatment provided significant protection against powdery mildew disease, allowing the plants to thrive in the wild for the first time.
A study led by Penn State researchers found that a fungal parasite controls the behavior of carpenter ants without infecting their brains. The fungus surrounds and invades muscle fibers throughout the ant's body, forming a network to collectively control host behavior.
A research team led by Charissa de Bekker found that the fungus has its own biological clock, which may be driving the timing of when it infects and manipulates the ants. The study reveals how the parasite controls the ants' behavior to spread its spores more effectively.
Researchers identified a wild yeast strain that inhibits three common grape molds more effectively than a pesticide. The study suggests using natural yeasts as an eco-friendly alternative to chemical pesticides in vineyards.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine have identified the key player in the immune system's defense against Candida albicans, a fungus that causes oral thrush. The study reveals that a fungal toxin called Candidalysin plays a crucial role in triggering an immune response to prevent infection.
A team of researchers from Sydney's Westmead Institute for Medical Research has discovered a new drug target, Arg1, to combat life-threatening fungal infections. The protein enables Cryptococcus neoformans fungus to establish fatal infections in patients with weakened immune systems.
Scientists have developed a new class of antifungal drugs called 'orotomides' to treat life-threatening invasive fungal infections. The novel mechanism of action offers hope for patients with leukemia and bone marrow transplantation, who are often affected by these infections.
Plants form a symbiotic relationship with fungi, gaining key nutrients while also becoming more resistant to diseases and drought. The fungal symbiosis increases the plant's levels of certain hormones, making it more tolerant to environmental stressors and ultimately contributing to sustainable agriculture.
Researchers have created antibody-recruiting molecules targeting fungi (ARM-Fs) that can attach to fungal cell walls and recruit human antibodies to combat infections. These small molecules offer a new strategy for treating fungal diseases affecting thousands of people each year.
Human immune cells in the lungs can trigger programmed cell death in inhaled fungal pathogens, preventing germination and host invasion. Pharmacologic inhibition of a key fungal protein has shown promise as a potential therapeutic approach against invasive aspergillosis.
A recent study published in the BMJ Journal of Sexually Transmitted Infections warns of the rapid increase in drug resistance of Mycoplasma genitalium (MG), a common sexually transmitted infection. The study suggests that reducing azithromycin use, currently used to treat MG, is necessary to mitigate this issue.
Researchers discovered a method to track gypsy moth fungus, understanding its range and predicting damage. The study suggests that understanding the distances these killer spores travel could help scientists correlate the fungus' range with weather patterns.
Researchers at Texas Biomedical Research Institute are developing a modified TB vaccine that could provide longer-lasting immunity. The team has shown promising results in mouse models, increasing the bacteria-killing power tenfold and protection by threefold.
Researchers used Next Generation Sequencing to investigate bacterial communities in long-term no-till and conventional tillage plots. The study found dynamic microbial communities influenced by sample location, with different bacteria dominating the rhizosphere and bulk soils.
A new mechanism has been discovered that allows white blood cells to recognize and expel pathogens, preventing the spread of infections like Cryptococcosis to the brain. Researchers have identified a key molecule called ERK5 that can be manipulated to enhance this process, offering potential therapies for diseases such as this.
A new review paper outlines the gold standard for identifying at-risk patients, preventing, diagnosing, and treating invasive fungal infections. Early and correct treatment leads to better outcomes for patients, reducing mortality rates from up to 85% in critically ill patients.
A recent study by the USGS found that the deadly fungus Pseudogymnoascus destructans can be transported by bats and people visiting contaminated sites in summer. Guano accounted for 93% of bat-associated detections, while equipment and sediment samples also tested positive for fungal DNA.
Li-Jun Ma at UMass Amherst receives a five-year NSF CAREER grant to advance understanding of fungal pathogenesis and develop disease-resistant crops. Her research focuses on the plant-pathogen interface, exploring mechanisms to control pathogenic fungi causing wilt diseases in over 100 plant species.
A study found that contaminated heater-cooler units produced by LivaNova were the likely source of M. chimaera infection in 21 open-heart surgery patients across Europe and North America. The authors suggest that controlling contamination at production lines is crucial to stop the outbreak.
A study by Massey University and the USGS found that Indiana bats that warm up together from hibernation have better survival rates against white-nose syndrome. Thermal surveillance cameras revealed that these bats rouse together every night, suggesting group arousals may be associated with disease survival.