Articles tagged with Fungi
Research at York University reveals that moose drool can slow down the growth of a toxic fungus in red fescue grass, reducing its toxicity. The study suggests that repeated exposure to moose saliva may lead to lower toxin levels in affected areas.
Researchers discovered a way to increase polysaccharides in barley plants, blocking fungal penetration and creating more resistant lines available for growers. Powdery mildew is a significant problem worldwide, causing up to 25% yield reductions and market value losses.
Researchers at Harvard University studied 137 varieties of cheese from 10 countries to identify three general types of microbial communities. These findings provide a model for studying microbial communities and their interactions, with potential applications in understanding various biological processes. The study also reveals the imp...
A TGen-led study found that Cryptococcus gattii likely originated in Brazil and is highly adaptive, warranting global public health vigilance. The research identified new genomic targets for diagnostic tests, therapeutic drugs, and preventative vaccines.
Charcoal rot, caused by fungi like Macrophomina phaseolina, thrives in hot and dry conditions, exacerbating crop yields. Researchers are now focusing on breeding drought-resistant soybean lines that can combat the disease.
Researchers at the University of South Florida found that frogs can develop immunity against a deadly chytrid fungus by learning to avoid it after just one exposure. This acquired resistance could aid in conservation efforts and even offer protection for other animals threatened by fungal pathogens.
A study published in mBio reveals that a fungus found in contaminated Greek yogurt can cause disease in healthy humans. Researchers isolated the strain and tested it on mice, finding that it can cause lethal infections when injected into the bloodstream.
A study by Duke University scientists identified a highly virulent strain of Mucor circinelloides fungus in Chobani yogurt that caused severe symptoms in consumers. The researchers found that the fungus can survive passage through the gastrointestinal tract and produce a lethal systemic infection in diabetic mice.
Researchers analyzed 33 fungal genomes to determine if wood-decaying fungi fall under one of two general classes. They found that some fungi, such as Botryobasidium botryosum and Jaapia argillacea, show similarities to white rot fungi but lack key enzymes, complicating the traditional categorization.
Researchers found that mice exposed to tolylfluanid developed metabolic changes similar to those of human metabolic syndrome, including increased blood sugar and body fat. The study suggests potential health risks for humans exposed to the fungicide.
Researchers at Virginia Tech have discovered a natural fungus that can kill poison ivy, offering an alternative to chemical treatments. The fungus, Colletotrichum fioriniae, is being explored as a potential biological control method for invasive plants.
A new study reveals that local-scale factors, such as terrain and temperature, explain most of the variation in wood decomposition, while climate plays a smaller role. The research suggests that termites and fungi have a more significant impact on decomposition than previously thought, which can improve climate change projections.
Researchers have analyzed fossilized feces from 1,500-year-old coprolites to determine the bacterial and fungal populations present in two extinct cultures. The study found distinct differences between the fecal communities of these cultures, providing evidence that they may have had different origins.
A team of researchers studied the genome of a Dead Sea fungus to understand its survival strategy in salty environments. The study found that the fungus needs to control cell membrane transport under tight conditions to cope with extreme salt levels.
Researchers discovered a fungus that can completely eradicate tree-of-heaven plants, including sprouts. The treatment has shown promise as a bio-control agent to combat the invasive species' rapid spread across the US.
Scientists have confirmed the presence of a new fungus variant in Alava, Spain, which may be more resistant to conventional fungicides. This discovery could lead to the emergence of more aggressive strains of Phytophthora infestans, causing further damage to potato crops.
Researchers have identified a precise biochemical key that activates immune cells called MAITs, which defend against bacterial and fungal invaders. The breakthrough has potential applications in treating inflammatory bowel disease, peptic ulcers, and tuberculosis.
Researchers found that pesticides reduce earthworms' weight, affect their metabolism rate, and increase energy demand, ultimately hindering their reproduction and survival in contaminated soil. This study highlights the importance of considering the impact of pesticides on non-target organisms like earthworms.
Researchers suggest that traditional shade-growing techniques and natural fungal enemies can help control coffee rust. Abandoning these methods may exacerbate the problem, and a return to more sustainable practices could be an effective way to manage the disease.
Researchers identified a fungal surface protein that promotes invasion of host cells in mucormycosis. The loss of this protein decreases infection and virulence in Mucorales fungi.
The Norwegian Taxonomy Initiative has identified nearly 60% of the newly discovered species as insects or small terrestrial invertebrates. DNA analysis has also revealed new insights into fungal and marine species, providing a better understanding of Norway's ecosystems.
A new study published in Conservation Biology found that a deadly fungus is the primary cause of rapid frog population declines in the Andes mountains. The fungus, Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis, has led to the decline or extinction of 200 frog species worldwide.
A recent study by Mark Baker and colleagues has identified nine proteins that contribute to the cherished aroma of black Périgord truffles. The researchers also discovered biomarkers of authenticity, freshness, and perfume maturation, shedding light on this culinary delicacy.
A new research coordination network is working to study eukaryotic biodiversity using high-throughput DNA sequencing technology. Researchers will focus on microscopic organisms playing vital roles in ecosystems, such as breaking down organic matter and turning over soil nutrients.
The latest issue of ZooKeys has been automatically registered in ZooBank, marking the successful deployment of an automated registration-to-publication pipeline for taxonomic names. This innovation is part of a joint EU and US National Science Foundation project to develop the Global Names Architecture.
Researchers at Oregon State University have discovered a new way to produce novel compounds with antibiotic potential by deleting a master regulator gene in a common fungus. This finding opens up the door to studying dozens of new compounds and potentially discovering new antibiotics.
Researchers found that the fungus can survive on various carbon sources and grow in a wide pH range, making it hard to stop its spread. It can also tolerate sulfur compounds and calcium, but struggles to absorb water from dry surfaces.
Researchers found that a fungus, Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis, blocks the adaptive immune response in amphibians, allowing it to survive. The study suggests that the fungus targets a conserved vulnerability shared by both amphibian and mammalian lymphocytes.
A toxic factor released by a deadly frog-killing fungus disables the amphibian immune response, preventing conventional lymphocyte activation. The fungus's ability to inhibit cell growth in cancerous cells suggests potential new treatments.
Researchers found that targeting a specific fungal component could render Candida albicans harmless, providing a potential new approach for treating deadly infections. By inhibiting the acidification of the fungal vacuole, the fungus can no longer form deadly filaments, allowing it to coexist peacefully with humans.
Researchers have closed the genetic map of the fungal kingdom by sequencing the genome of Pyronema confluens, a basal filamentous ascomycete. The study reveals key differences between this species and higher ascomycetes, shedding light on the evolution of mating type genes and light-activated processes.
Researchers have discovered that fungal sex can generate genetic diversity in organisms like Cryptococcus neoformans, enabling the creation of drug-resistant and virulent strains. This discovery sheds light on how pathogenic microbes evolve to cause diseases.
A study found that emerging lethal fungus infection can easily pass its deadly genes to closely related fungal strains but less readily to distantly related ones. This understanding will help predict the spread of outbreaks and inform surveillance efforts.
Research reveals that contaminated bivalve molluscs contain toxins at higher levels than the surrounding environment, posing a risk to human health.
A new species of fungus has ravaged fire salamander populations in the Netherlands, killing over 90% of the original population. The fungus, Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans, can rapidly kill fire salamanders and is thought to have originated from elsewhere in the world.
A new study reveals that global warming is causing crop pests to spread towards the North and South Poles at an alarming rate. Currently, 10-16% of global crop production is lost to pests, with losses from fungi alone amounting to enough to feed nearly nine percent of today's global population.
Researchers have identified a genetic link between HIV infection and increased susceptibility to cryptococcal disease, which can cause devastating fungal meningitis. Patients with the high-affinity Fc receptor gene are up to 20 times more likely to develop the disease, highlighting the need for a predictive test to save lives.
A fungal-bacterial consortium converts tough plant materials into isobutanol, producing 1.88 grams per liter of fluid, with 62% energy conversion rate. The system reduces capital investment and operating cost, making biofuel production economically viable.
Research in Navarre's beech groves reveals traditional forestry management reduces fungal diversity, with some species disappearing and families affected. The study highlights the importance of decomposing dead wood for fungal populations, contradicting current forest management practices.
Researchers identified non-disease causing fungal relatives of WNS-causing fungus, which live in bat hibernation sites and on bats. This discovery may aid in understanding the molecular toolbox used by the deadly fungus to kill bats.
Researchers identified fungal meningitis cases with ischemic stroke after contaminated methylprednisolone injections. The condition presents with varying incubation periods, requiring better recognition of clinical characteristics for efficient care.
Researchers have identified nine fungal lineages associated with ambrosia beetles threatening avocado production in the US and Israel. The unique fungi adaptability poses a threat to global farms and forests.
Research by UCLA mathematician Marcus Roper reveals that fungus cells use a dynamic movement of nuclei to keep them well mixed, benefiting the organism's infectiousness. The flow is propelled by pressure gradients across the colony, optimizing nuclear mixing for maximum advantage.
Research reveals that powdery mildew fungi favor asexually produced offspring for infection, while sexual reproduction is crucial for adaptation to host defense mechanisms. The study suggests an ancient co-evolutionary history between the fungus and its hosts, highlighting the complex dynamics of plant-fungus interactions.
A massive fungal meningitis outbreak linked to contaminated steroid injections has been reported in the US, with over 13,000 people affected. Researchers found that a dark-colored environmental mold, Exserohilum rostratum, infects humans mainly through cerebrospinal fluid migration.
Researchers have found that the rice blast fungus uses two distinct secretion systems to invade plant tissue, shedding light on a devastating crop disease. The discovery is a step towards controlling blast disease, which destroys enough rice to feed 60 million people annually.
Researchers have shed light on how the rice blast fungus invades plant tissue by evolving two distinct secretion systems. Understanding this process is crucial in controlling the disease and will help prove pivotal in blast disease control.
A two-year study by Oregon State University and the University of Pittsburgh found that bullfrogs can both carry and die from a deadly chytrid fungus. The research suggests that bullfrogs may not be the primary hosts for this pathogen, contrary to previous assumptions.
A study published in Applied and Environmental Microbiology identifies new fungal enzymes that can break down cellulose, a key component of plant biomass. The researchers found that the fungi and bacteria in leaf-cutter ant gardens work together to convert plant biomass into energy-rich compounds.
Researchers found evidence of actively metabolizing and proliferating bacteria, archaea, and fungi in the deep biosphere, with implications for global biogeochemical cycles. The study revealed diverse biochemical pathways and movement mechanisms, including flagellar-driven locomotion and gliding.
Researchers found over 50% of commercial apple juice samples exceeding patulin limits, with one sample having 162.2 μg/kg. Mycotoxins were also detected in beers, cereals, and products like gofio flour, highlighting the need for better control measures.
A new technique developed by researchers at Concordia University has slashed data-crunching time for law enforcement, allowing investigators to extract hidden knowledge from large volumes of text. The new method automatically identifies criminal topics and provides visualization of social networks among participants.
African clawed frogs in California are found to carry a deadly fungal infection that has led to the decline or extinction of some 200 amphibian species worldwide. The fungus, Batrachochytrium dendrobatis, is transmitted through water and can cause skin thickening, electrolyte imbalance, and brain swelling.
A recent study uses DNA sequencing to identify five new species of lichen-forming fungi, highlighting the importance of recognizing cryptic diversity in various ecosystems. The research also provides a reference database for specimen identification, enabling more accurate and reliable species recognition.
A study reveals that lichen fungi can colonize different ecosystems by choosing from a diverse array of algal partners. This adaptation allows them to thrive in various environments, including polar and Mediterranean regions.
Researchers developed two innovative techniques to minimize lead migration and anchor site pain in spinal cord stimulators. Advanced anchoring and multiple lead placement through a single port reduced complications and improved patient outcomes.
The BBSRC has awarded funding to two projects: the Nornex consortium, studying the molecular and cellular basis of interactions between the fungus and ash trees, and Professor Christopher Gilligan's team, developing computer models to predict the spread of ash dieback in the UK.
Researchers at MIT synthesized and tested 60 fungal compounds, finding some to be potent against human cancer cells. The most effective compounds had specific sulfur atom arrangements and larger attached rings.
A new study investigates the connection between amphibian social habits and a fungus called Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis, which causes Chytridiomycosis. The researchers aim to understand how behavior affects the spread of the disease in California's slender salamander populations.
Researchers from Cardiff University have discovered hundreds of fungal particles in the lungs of asthma sufferers and healthy individuals alike. The study reveals that asthma patients have a distinct array of fungal species not present in healthy lungs, potentially leading to new treatment avenues.