Articles tagged with Fungi
Aphids have evolved two unique traits: producing essential carotenoids and breaking genetic barriers between kingdoms. They acquired carotenoid-producing genes from fungi through a rare gene transfer process.
A newly discovered strain of virulent airborne fungi has caused several deaths in Oregon and is expected to spread to California and other areas. The fungal disease, Cryptococcus gattii, typically affects transplant recipients and HIV-infected patients, but the new strain appears to be a threat to otherwise healthy individuals.
A six-year study by ecologists at Rice University and Indiana University found that a symbiotic fungus living inside fescue can have far-reaching effects on plant, animal, and insect communities. The research suggests that cooperative microorganisms play a significant role in ecological diversity.
Researchers found that a cocktail of compounds from the beneficial fungus Muscodor albus can effectively control destructive pests in crops like wheat and apples. The fungus' volatile organic compounds killed or repelled up to 100% of certain pest species, offering a biologically based solution for pest management.
A recent study resolves a long-standing mystery surrounding the giant fossil Prototaxites. Researchers propose that these ancient organisms were mixotrophic liverworts associated with fungi and cyanobacteria. The findings support previous hypotheses that microbial associations and mixotrophy are ancient plant traits.
Agricultural Research Service scientists analyzed over 160 sugarcane samples from 25 countries to identify genetic resistance to deadly orange and brown rusts. The study provides valuable resources for plant breeders and pathologists, supporting international food security.
Bdelloid rotifers have evolved to avoid parasites and pathogens by desiccating and drifting away on the wind. This mechanism allows them to establish new, uninfected populations and evade biotic enemies without sex.
A recent study found that midwife toads living in mountain regions are highly susceptible to a serious fungal infection called chytridiomycosis, which can lead to up to 100% mortality rates. Conservationists may be able to limit the impact of the disease by ensuring tourists do not transfer it between lakes.
John Leslie, K-State professor, receives International Professorship for Latin America from the American Society for Microbiology. He will present his Fusarium Laboratory Workshop and offer a scientific writing workshop in Argentina.
Two Kent State University assistant professors, Christopher Blackwood and Andrea Case, have received $890,000 in National Science Foundation grants to study the environment. Their research projects focus on understanding the importance of fungal communities during leaf decomposition and the factors that regulate the frequency of female...
The study found that mammals are protected from the majority of fungal pathogens due to their elevated body temperature, which is too high for most fungi to survive. This theory could help explain why mammals rose to dominance after the dinosaur extinction event.
Scientists believe ancient fungi thrived in dead wood after forests were devastated, providing conditions for Reduviasporonites to proliferate across the planet. Fossil records show a massive spike in fungal population as the Permian period ended, suggesting a global catastrophe led to widespread forest loss.
A team of Texas and Brazilian researchers confirms that the fungus-gardening ant Mycocepurus smithii reproduces without males, with no evidence of male production or sperm storage organs. This makes the species one of the rarest examples of complete asexuality in the animal kingdom.
Researchers find novel cyanobacterial lineage in lichens, with implications for ecosystem research and the study of symbiotic relationships. The discovery suggests that photobionts are selected based on their compatibility with mycobionts, leading to an increase in certain strains.
Emory researchers are using DNA sequencing technology to study the genomics of agricultural ant societies, which could lead to breakthroughs in waste processing and agriculture. The project aims to understand how ants have evolved to process huge amounts of organic material over millions of years.
A Purdue University expert found that only five of 287 crabapple varieties had durable resistance to apple scab, a widespread fungus that can weaken and kill trees. Researchers analyzed 33 years of data to determine which trees maintained or lost resistance over time.
Researchers found that young queens adopt a fungus from another nest, cultivating it in their new nest. This temporary partner switching acts as an evolutionary safety net, preventing the accumulation of deleterious mutations and maintaining stability in the ant-fungus mutualism.
The publication, supported by Eurofungbase and DSM, offers valuable insights into the genomes of Aspergillus species for fungal biologists and medical researchers worldwide. The large-scale annotation projects provide a resource for understanding these organisms and their applications in health, environment, and food.
A new test for invasive aspergillosis (IA) has been developed to detect the deadly fungal infection in patients with damaged or suppressed immune systems. The test uses a monoclonal antibody that binds to a glycoprotein antigen secreted by Aspergillus species, distinguishing it from similar molecules found in antibiotics and foodstuffs.
Researchers at Caltech developed 15 new highly stable fungal enzyme catalysts that efficiently break down cellulose into sugars at high temperatures. This breakthrough is crucial for creating cost-efficient processes to extract sugars from cellulose, a key material in producing renewable fuels like ethanol or butanol.
Researchers developed new 'paldoxins' that block fungal enzymes, boosting plants' natural defenses and overcoming fungal attacks. These environmentally friendly fungicides could protect crops like corn, wheat, and soybeans from disease-causing fungi.
Ecologists suggest providing heat sources to hibernating bats to reduce energy expenditure and survival rates, which could help save affected populations. The proposed measure has shown promising results in a mathematical simulation, with mortality levels dropping to as little as 8 percent.
A study found that airborne fungal groups Cladosporium and Mycelia sterilia are more common in urban areas with high vehicular traffic, contributing to the region's high asthma incidence. The research suggests a link between environmental triggers and genetic susceptibility, shedding light on the complex factors driving the epidemic.
Researchers at Whitehead Institute found that combining an antifungal agent with Hsp90 inhibition is effective against multiple types of resistant fungal infections. The treatment could lead to development of novel therapies for patients with compromised immune systems, who suffer high mortality rates from these infections.
Researchers from DOE/JGI and FPL have deciphered the genetic mechanisms behind brown-rot fungi's ability to break down cellulose in wood. This breakthrough may lead to more efficient, cost-effective, and environmentally-friendly strategies for biofuels production.
Kansas State University is receiving a $1 million grant from the US Department of Agriculture to study the wheat blast fungus, a pathogen that has become a serious threat in Brazil. The researchers will sequence the fungus's genome and screen Kansas wheat varieties for resistance to the disease.
A study by The University of Manchester found that patients with severe asthma and allergic sensitivity to certain fungi experience significant improvements in quality of life and lung function after taking an antifungal drug. However, symptoms often return after treatment is stopped.
Researchers discovered that pills used to treat fungal infections improve symptoms of asthma in those with an allergic reaction to fungi. Nearly 60% of patients taking the drug showed significant improvement.
Researchers at Harvard University discovered that many fungal species produce spores with aerodynamically optimized shapes, allowing them to minimize air resistance and maximize travel distance. In contrast, spores transported by animals lack these drag-minimizing features.
Biologists have discovered a sexual cycle in the deadly fungus Aspergillus fumigatus, revealing its ability to adapt to new environments and evade antifungal drugs. This breakthrough could lead to new treatments for patients infected with the fungus, which causes severe asthma and immune deficiency-related deaths.
Researchers found that global warming may not be the primary cause of widespread amphibian declines, contradicting previous widely-held views. The study suggests alternative factors, such as a fungal infection and pesticide use, may be driving these extinctions.
A team at Montana State University has discovered a fungus that produces diesel fuel, which could offer an alternative to fossil fuels. The fungus, called Gliocladium roseum, can grow in cellulose and produce medium-chain hydrocarbons.
A unique fungus, Gliocladium roseum, has been discovered to produce diesel compounds from cellulose, offering a promising alternative to traditional biofuels. The fungus can make myco-diesel directly from cellulose, skipping a step in the production process.
A team at Duke University Medical Center has identified microsporidia as a sexually reproducing fungus that causes chronic diarrhea in AIDS patients and other host animals. The findings could help develop effective treatments against these common global pathogens.
A novel topical therapy, NB-002, has demonstrated a unique approach to healing nail fungus by penetrating skin pores and diffusing through the skin surrounding the entire nail plate. The lotion has shown robust antifungal activity against all organisms causing nail fungus, including Trichophyton rubrum and Candida albicans.
Researchers found that tadpoles help keep algae at the base of the food chain productive, but their absence leads to more sediment and less productive algae. The study demonstrates how the grazing activities of tadpoles help maintain a healthy stream ecosystem.
Researchers sequenced the fungus's genome and compared gene expression in different stages to identify key genes involved in killing frogs. They hope this study will help combat the deadly chytrid fungus, which affects over 43% of frog species.
A beetle uses a bacterium to protect its fungus from a competing mite, producing a novel antibiotic with potential for treating fungal diseases and cancer. The discovery highlights the importance of symbiotic relationships between insects and microbes in their survival.
Researchers found adult beetles store beneficial fungus and bacterium in specialized compartment to aid survival. This symbiotic relationship inhibits competitor fungus growth while promoting nutrition for developing larvae.
Researchers captured spore discharge mechanisms using ultra-high-speed cameras, revealing that fungi propel spores with explosive pressure loss, similar to inkjet printer nozzles. This breakthrough has implications for plant disease control, terrestrial ecology, and biomimetics.
Researchers aim to inform safety by design, safe disposal, and safe manufacturing handling for industrial-scale nanoparticles. The study tracks tagged nanoparticles in the environment to determine their bioaccumulation and transport through the food chain.
Researchers at Mayo Clinic and Virginia Bioinformatics Institute discover that eosinophils exert a strong immune response against the environmental fungus Alternaria alternata. The innate immune system of humans is capable of killing the fungus, which is linked to airway inflammation, chronic rhinosinusitis, and bronchial asthma.
A team of Yale undergraduates collected and analyzed 135 endophytes from plants in the Amazon rainforest, discovering dozens with potential bioactivity. The study's findings highlight the vast scientific potential of tropical areas and the importance of preserving these microorganisms.
A team of researchers discovered a novel fungus in the gut of Asian longhorned beetles that helps break down lignin, a protective barrier for plants. The fungus produces enzymes that enable the beetles to digest hard wood, leading to potential breakthroughs in pest control and biofuel production.
Researchers found that capsaicin slows microbial growth and protects the fruit from Fusarium fungus, allowing seeds to be dispersed. The production of capsaicin comes at a cost for chili plants, with thin seed coats being a consequence of prioritizing chemical protection.
A new study reveals that chili peppers' spiciness is a defense mechanism against microbial fungus that destroys seeds. The pungency acts as a unique defense, slowing down microbial growth and protecting the plant's progeny.
Scientists at the University of Warwick have found four types of fungi effective against varroa mites, which feed on honey bee circulatory fluid and transmit diseases. The researchers are exploring ways to deliver these killer fungi through various methods, including foot baths and powder sprays.
The USDA Forest Service has named the tree-killing fungus responsible for 'laurel wilt', causing devastating disease in redbay and other laurel species. Lead author Tom Harrington and co-author Stephen Fraedrich unveiled the name, Raffaelea lauricola, after publishing an article in Mycotaxon journal.
Rising temperatures may reduce microbial carbon dioxide production due to increased nitrogen levels in the soil, but human-induced CO2 changes could shift microbial populations with significant impacts on food chains. Microbial communities under glaciers and snowpacks are also threatened by warming temperatures.
A University of Missouri scientist discovered a mechanism in bread mold that 'silences' unmatched genes during meiosis, protecting the organism from genetic abnormalities. This process, known as MSUD, could have applications in pharmaceuticals and agriculture by precisely targeting unwanted genes.
The genome sequence of Podospora anserina shows the fungus has a large set of genes involved in breaking down complex carbon sources, including cellulose and lignin. This discovery may lead to novel regulatory mechanisms during growth and reproduction, with potential applications in biotechnology.
Conservation efforts in Madagascar could avert catastrophic biodiversity loss with pro-active programs. The country harbors
New Bt corn varieties have shown reduced levels of aflatoxin and lower rates of fungal infection, offering a potential solution to the global threat of this deadly toxin. The developments come as part of Monsanto's efforts to engineer better corn crops resistant to insect pests and environmental stressors.
Researchers explore alternative materials for digital signal processing, including fungi, bacteria, and DNA, which can enhance images and compress data without electrical currents. The field holds promise for improved algorithms and applications in disease detection and data storage.
Researchers found that disabling the ZFR1 gene reduces toxin production by 82% in Fusarium verticillioides on corn kernels. The study identified a specific sugar transporter, FST1, necessary for FB1 production, which acts as a molecular sensor for toxin creation.
Researchers discovered that ants have been farming fungus for approximately 50 million years, with four distinct agricultural systems emerging over time. These findings shed light on the evolution of agriculture and could lead to improved human agricultural and medical methods.
A new study reveals similarities between DNA that determine mating types in fungi and those that determine sex in plants and animals. This makes fungi an interesting model organism for studying the evolutionary development of sex chromosomes.
Researchers at Purdue University have discovered a gene that guards all grass species against a devastating fungus, which can destroy crops vital for human food supplies. The naturally occurring disease resistance has allowed grasses to thrive for 60 million years.
A team from Duke University Medical Center isolated sex-determining genes from an ancient fungus, Phycomyces blakesleeanus, which contains insights into the evolution of human sexual differentiation. The findings suggest that HMG-domain proteins may have marked the beginning of sex determination in both fungi and humans.
Researchers have discovered how life evolved from simple self-replicating molecules to complex organisms by studying a primitive fungus protein. The study shows how RNA progressed to share functions with proteins, a critical missing step in the evolution of life.