Articles tagged with Fungi
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.
Researchers have discovered a method to induce sexual reproduction in Penicillium chrysogenum, leading to the development of new strains with improved industrial characteristics. This breakthrough aims to increase penicillin production, making it cheaper to produce, and potentially applicable to other economically important fungi.
Researchers have discovered that the penicillin-producing fungus Penicillium chrysogenum reproduces sexually through a two-gender cycle. This leads to strains with new properties, including high penicillin production without contaminating genes.
Biologists at Bielefeld University have confirmed that certain algae species can draw energy from other plants by digesting cellulose, a previously thought exclusive trait of fungi and bacteria. This groundbreaking discovery has significant implications for bioenergy production.
Researchers have found that treating corn stover with white rot fungus can extract up to 30% more sugar from leaves and 50% more from stalks and cobs. This breakthrough could lead to more efficient ethanol production and reduce the need for corn-based supplies.
A hospital in Roanoke, VA established a treatment protocol for dozens of patients with suspected fungal meningitis, using IV voriconazole and amphotericin-B. The clinical course and long-term neurological consequences are still being studied.
Neutron scattering experiments have provided new insights into the origin of AmB's side effects, revealing that it interacts differently with fungal and animal cell membranes. The study suggests that AmB can open up holes in fungal cells but is unable to do so as readily in human cells, leading to harmful side effects.
Researchers found that levels of IL-6 and IL-12 were higher among patients with sarcoidosis compared to controls. Mold/fungi levels in the home also showed a significant relation to β-glucan levels. The study supports the hypothesis that exposure to fungi increases the risk of sarcoidosis.
A ranking system of the ten most important phytopathogenic fungi has been developed by 495 international researchers. The rice blast fungus is at the top of the list, followed by Botrytis cinerea and Fusarium oxysporum.
The 2002 Exophiala dermatitidis meningitis outbreak highlights the dangers of contaminated injectable corticosteroids. Without proper sterility, fungus can grow aggressively and cause invasive mycosis with a potentially long incubation period.
A physician warns of the dangers of fungal meningitis due to contaminated injectable corticosteroids, emphasizing the importance of sterility in compounding processes. The author advocates for a case-by-case approach to treatment and calls for increased regulation to prevent future outbreaks.
A recent fungal meningitis outbreak has highlighted the aggressive nature of this condition, particularly after joint or bone injections. The researchers report on a clinical observation involving a patient who died due to severe brain and spinal cord damage.
Biologists at Ruhr-Universität used a combination of laser microdissection and RNA-seq to analyze gene activity in the entire genome of certain fungi. They found that gene expression differs between tissue types, with some genes active only in specific tissues.
The fungi treatment process modifies the acoustic properties of the instrument, making it sound indistinguishably similar to a Stradivarius. The research could soon make high-quality wood available for violin making.
A new article provides simple guidelines for establishing basic authenticity and reliability of fungal ITS sequences, targeting traditional DNA sequencing. The guidelines aim to assist researchers in sharpening their datasets and reducing noise in public sequence databases.
A new fungal species, Hebelomagriseopruinatum, has been officially classified as a novel species after discovery on Zealand in Denmark. The fungus has been found to coexist intimately with plants, similar to edible fungi like chantarelles and truffles.
A new study investigates the relationship between beetle body size, horn size, and grip strength in males. The researchers found that male beetles have a stronger grip than females, likely due to their larger limb size.
Researchers analyzed fungal genomes and transcriptomes to understand how lifestyle affects gene expression and host specificity. They discovered new functions for fungal infection organs, including sensing the presence of plants.
Harvard researchers found that a fungus produces superoxide, which oxidizes manganese, forming reactive minerals used for water cleanup and nutrient control. The discovery lends insight to environmental remediation and raises questions about the role of fungi in biogeochemistry.
Scientists have discovered a white rot fungus that can break down tough cellulose in corn stover, releasing sugars for ethanol fermentation. The study found that the fungus extracted up to 30% more sugar from corn leaves and 50% more from stalks and cobs.
Scientists discovered that a widespread plant pest arose from the fusion of two unknown parent species just a few hundred years ago. The study reveals new insights into fungal evolution, showing that hybridization can lead to rapid speciation in plants and fungi.
A group of highly specialized fungi, identified through comparative analysis of 31 fungal genomes, developed a mechanism to efficiently decay plant biomass. These ancient organisms produced peroxidases that acted in synergy with other oxidative enzymes to degrade lignin, a polymer present in wood.
The University of Leicester will receive £340,000 in funding to support its asthma and allergy research. The Midlands Asthma and Allergy Research Association has funded the study, which aims to better understand fungal allergies and develop new treatments.
The study found that microbial eukaryote communities shifted from diverse nematode-dominated communities to an almost exclusively fungal community post-spill. Fungal taxa found post-spill are suspected to utilize hydrocarbons and thrive in hostile, polluted conditions.
Researchers at U of A used 3-D magnetic resonance to map the structure of Candida, a deadly pathogen with a 40% mortality rate. This breakthrough could pave the way for an effective vaccine development.
A new study suggests that a significant proportion of children with asthma failing Step 4 or greater therapy may have severe asthma with fungal sensitization. Children with this condition were found to be older, have higher serum IgE levels, and perform worse on pulmonary function tests compared to those without the condition.
Researchers at Purdue University have discovered that a widely available fungicide can inhibit steroid production in plants, resulting in smaller, more efficient varieties. These 'dwarfed' plants could significantly reduce agriculture's environmental footprint and costs for seed producers.
A hyperparasitic fungus has been found to effectively combat the zombie-ant fungus, limiting its spread and survival. The research model shows that only about 6.5% of spore-producing organs were viable, suggesting a smaller threat to ant colonies.
A new study published in PLoS ONE found that the fungal infection leads to deadly dehydration in wild frogs, causing cardiac arrest and death. The research confirms what researchers have seen in lab experiments, providing a better understanding of how the disease progresses and suggesting potential treatments for infected frogs.
Research identifies enzyme essential for M. globosa's growth, making it a prime target for developing better anti-dandruff medicines. Sulfonamides show greater effectiveness than ketoconazole in preventing the fungus's growth.
A new study by University of California, Berkeley and San Francisco State University researchers reveals that a deadly fungal infection causes severe dehydration in wild frogs, disrupting fluid and electrolyte balance. The study provides valuable insights into the disease progression and offers hope for potential treatments.
Researchers at UOG are using classical biological control with Puccinia spegazzinii to combat the aggressive climbing vine, which threatens plant biodiversity on Pacific islands. The rust fungus is highly damaging to Mikania's leaves, petioles, and stems, eliminating the need for toxic herbicides.
Researchers at the University of Bristol have solved the 70-year-old mystery of stipitatic acid synthesis by identifying genes responsible for its production. The discovery has far-reaching implications for understanding organic chemistry and potentially leads to new drugs with antibacterial and antimalarial properties.
Fungal infections destroy over 125 million tonnes of crops annually, equivalent to $60 billion in damages. New fungal diseases also threaten the extinction of over 500 species of amphibian and endangered animals, posing a significant threat to global food security and biodiversity.
The Atlas of Living Australia has added over half a million records, including those from 17th-century Dutch navigators, to reach its 30-millionth species occurrence record. This milestone is made possible through collaborative efforts between museums, universities, and the CSIRO.
Researchers found that human presence causes a substantial increase in airborne bacterial and fungal particles, with sizes affecting filtration and recirculation. The study, led by Yale University engineers, aims to improve air quality by understanding the dynamics of indoor biological aerosols.
A comparative genomic analysis of two white rot fungi found substantial differences among the sets of genes involved in lignocellulose degradation. C. subvermispora was found to selectively break down lignin at an efficient rate, making it a potential game-changer for the pulp and paper industry.
Researchers have found that bacteria help decompose the leaves and turn them into nutrients for both ants and fungi. The study, published in The ISME Journal, reveals a new understanding of the symbiotic relationship between leafcutter ants, fungi, and bacteria.