Articles tagged with Fungi
A study by University of Fukui researchers reveals that two adjacent gene pairs in Neurospora crassa regulate antiviral response and symptom induction via RNA editing. The findings indicate that the modification of master transcription factor genes is crucial for controlling fungal antiviral responses.
A recent study found that Metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) can detect pathogens in 86% of cases, outperforming conventional microbiological tests which identified pathogens in only 67% of cases. mNGS guides treatment decisions and improves patient outcomes by detecting rare/atypical pathogens.
Empa researchers have developed a bio-based, biodegradable material from fungal mycelium that avoids chemical processing. The material has versatile functional properties, including emulsification capabilities, and is suitable for various applications. Its biodegradability makes it an attractive alternative to traditional materials.
The latest focus issue of Molecular Plant-Microbe Interactions explores the molecular, cellular, and genomic details of cereal crop diseases, highlighting key research on plant-pathogen interactions. Groundbreaking work has advanced the field, offering new insights into disease resistance and management strategies.
Researchers have discovered that silver nanoparticles produced by the fungus Trichoderma reesei can inhibit the infection of SARS-CoV-2 in hamster lungs, reducing inflammation and viral load. The study also suggests that these nanoparticles could be used to prevent and treat other viral diseases, such as HIV/AIDS, shingles, and influenza.
Researchers have developed a building material that uses fungal mycelium and bacteria cells, which can self-repair for at least a month. This innovation has the potential to replace conventional building materials with high carbon footprints like cement, reducing emissions and promoting sustainability.
The new season of The Last of Us explores the real-life characteristics of cordyceps, including its airborne spore method of infection. Researchers like Dr. Jim Kronstad highlight the warming climate as a potential contributor to the spread of harmful fungi.
Researchers have demonstrated that certain lichen species can survive Mars-like conditions, including ionizing radiation and harsh temperatures. The study suggests that lichens could potentially survive on Mars despite high doses of X-ray radiation.
A recent study published in MDPI reveals that plants, fungi, bacteria, protists, and even some viruses employ venom-like mechanisms to solve critical problems. The research expands our understanding of venom beyond animal organisms, highlighting its broader evolutionary significance.
Researchers discovered that fungi construct a lace-like mycelial network that moves carbon outward from plant roots in a wave-like formation. The team used advanced robotics to measure traffic flows and resource trading in the fungal road system, shedding light on how these networks regulate ecosystem function.
Soil microbial diversity decreases in alpine pioneer community degradation, while ecosystem functions initially increase before declining. Fungal communities are more vulnerable to environmental changes than bacterial ones.
Researchers at Kobe University found that some orchids have stopped photosynthesis and become parasites feeding on fungi, boosting their nutrient budget without ceasing to employ photosynthesis. The study reveals a clear link between parasitic behavior and improved plant vigor.
Researchers discovered that many marine fungi isolated from Hawai'i's nearshore environment have the ability to degrade plastic. The team then conditioned these fungi to consume polyurethane and other types of plastics more efficiently. By studying their adaptability, scientists hope to develop new solutions for cleaning up oceans.
A comprehensive global study reveals pesticides are a major contributor to the biodiversity crisis, affecting over 800 species of plants, animals, fungi, and microbes. The research highlights the need for policies and practices to reduce pesticide use, including regenerative agriculture and Integrated Pest Management.
A new study led by University of Oxford suggests that plants are more likely to be eavesdroppers than altruists when tapping into underground networks. The study found that it is unlikely that plants would evolve to warn other plants of impending attacks, instead finding that plants may signal dishonestly to harm their neighbors.
Researchers at Michigan State University, along with citizen scientists and their truffle dogs, have discovered two new species of truffle. The newly named Tuber canirevelatum and Tuber cumberlandense were identified through DNA analysis and have aromatic compounds found in valuable truffle species. These discoveries could lead to incr...
A team of food scientists is developing tempeh products from chickpeas and peas to offset the health risks of a Western diet. The new fermented foods may help with obesity, fatty liver, hyperlipidemia, and diabetes. Preliminary research suggests they are high in fiber and low in fat.
Researchers at PolyU have invented a ground-breaking self-powered mechanism to eject freezing droplets, enabling cost-efficient and promising technological applications. The discovery uses spring-like elastic pillars to accelerate ejection velocity and enlarge kinetic energy transformation of freezing droplets.
Researchers from the University of Pennsylvania School of Engineering and Applied Science have discovered a previously unreported enzyme that catalyzes the creation of cyclopentachromone-containing compounds. This breakthrough could potentially lead to the development of new pharmaceuticals for treating cancer and inflammation.
Researchers have developed a biotechnological process to break down and remove the matrix from carbon fiber reinforced polymers (CFRPs), recovering valuable chemicals. Genetically modified fungi feed on benzoic acid produced during breakdown, yielding the compound OTA with potential medical applications.
Researchers identified five fungi species with toxic effects against the bacterium, which disrupts cellular levels of thiols essential for bacterial survival. The findings support a strategy for developing treatment-shortening drugs by targeting biological processes maintaining thiol levels.
Colombian researchers create novel mycelium-based biocomposites by cultivating Ganoderma gibbosum on agro-industrial residues. The resulting biocomposites exhibit tailored physical-mechanical properties, enabling sustainable and renewable materials production.
Scientists at the Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology have successfully created luminous wood by combining fungal threads with hardwood. The process involves a two-stage enzymatic reaction that stimulates the production of luciferin, emitting green light from the treated wood.
A new study reveals that a type of lichen, Lepraria, has genes for sexual reproduction, defying decades of scientific assumption. The discovery opens up new avenues for research into the mysterious reproductive habits of these unique organisms.
Researchers at Kyushu University develop a novel technique for building complex 3D microfluidic networks using plant roots and fungal hyphae in silica nanoparticles. This bio-inspired method enables the creation of intricate biological structures, opening new opportunities for research in plant and fungal biology.
Researchers have discovered two Antarctic actinomycete strains with strong antifungal properties against the fungus causing banana wilt. The strains, Streptomyces polyrhachis and Streptomyces fildesensis, showed effective inhibition of Fusarium oxysporum growth, making them potential biocontrol agents for sustainable disease management.
Researchers at University of Leicester developed a comprehensive fungal spore calendar to help patients manage symptoms through seasonal awareness. The study found two main peaks in spore concentrations: one in the summer and smaller peak in autumn, influenced by temperature and rainfall.
A new study led by Arizona State University researcher Michael Lynch explores the substantial energy demands required to maintain and evolve multicellular life. Multicellular organisms require a tenfold increase in energy compared to protists, highlighting how respiration and metabolic processes are crucial for advanced life forms.
Plant roots use a silent molecular 'language' to direct fungi to attach, providing phosphates. Researchers discovered that strigolactone activates fungal genes associated with phosphate metabolism, leading to new strategies for cultivating hardier crops and combatting disease-causing fungi.
Researchers found that fungi can communicate information throughout their network and adjust growth patterns based on shape. The mycelial network demonstrated pattern recognition abilities, suggesting a form of cognition that is both fascinating and unexplored in the fungal kingdom.
A new study reveals that ant agriculture and fungus farming originated 66 million years ago, with colonies of ants beginning to cultivate fungi in the aftermath of the asteroid impact. This partnership has evolved over time, with some fungal crops becoming completely reliant on ants 27 million years ago.
A study published in Science reveals that ancient asteroid impact may have led to the evolution of fungus-farming ants, which were able to cultivate fungi due to a shortage of food sources. The findings support the hypothesis that this relationship defines the emergence of agriculture.
A team of researchers led by Julia Vorholt at ETH Zurich initiated laboratory partnerships between bacteria and fungi to study the beginnings of an endosymbiotic relationship. They found that when certain bacteria are passed on to the next generation of fungi through spores, the fungus adapts and becomes more inhabited.
A new study suggests a novel way to prevent mold growth on future space stations by understanding the exposures that happen in the space environment. Repeated elevated humidity exposures can lead to rapid microbial growth and composition changes in dust, making it easier for microbes to thrive.
A common skin fungus, Malassezia globosa, may invade deep tissues and cause tumor growth in breast cancer, according to a new study published in mBio. The researchers found that M. globosa colonizes in breast fat pads leading to tumor growth, suggesting a potential link between fungal colonization and cancer progression.
Researchers at FAU will investigate how microbes respond to climate conditions and develop strategies to enhance soil health in drylands. The project aims to improve understanding of microbial resistance to climate change and discover solutions to reduce soil degradation.
A $1.5 million state grant is funding research into using fungal molecules in batteries, photovoltaics and electronic circuitry. The project, called NICER, aims to explore how these compounds can improve energy technologies, making them more sustainable and environmentally friendly.
Studies explore converting leftover wastewater from hydrothermal liquefaction into fertilizer for agricultural crops. Using a fungal treatment, researchers found significant increases in nitrate and ammonia concentrations, increasing nutrient availability. The method also removes toxic compounds, enabling circular economy applications.
A study published in Frontiers in Fungal Biology reveals that microcolonial fungi and lichens on petroglyphs in the Negev desert can cause gradual erosion and damage. The researchers identified multiple species of these fungi and lichens, which are known to thrive in hot and cold deserts.
A fungus living in the sea can break down polyethylene plastic when exposed to UV radiation from sunlight. The fungus Parengyodontium album can degrade particles of polyethylene, a common type of plastic found in ocean pollution.
Scientists have discovered that different modes of cell division used by animals and fungi may have evolved to support diverse life cycles. A study using Ichthyosporea as a model found that certain species use closed mitosis while others use open mitosis, shedding light on the evolutionary origins of these processes.
Researchers analyzed flour and rice stored in Brazilian homes and found six mycotoxins, including aflatoxin B1 and deoxynivalenol, at high levels, posing significant health risks. The study highlights the importance of proper food storage to prevent contamination.
A new study by UNC Charlotte Professor Abigail Leavitt LaBella and colleagues reveals that yeasts do not fit the 'jack of all trades, master of none' adage. They found that yeasts with a broad ability to metabolize different carbon sources are actually efficient growers.
Researchers have discovered a virus that infects the fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis, which causes heart failure in frogs and toads. The virus could be engineered to control the fungal disease and potentially save amphibian species.
Researchers identified a key factor limiting the shapes of fungal hyphae, which are crucial for growth and survival. The study's findings provide insights into the evolution of complex traits and have significant implications for understanding ecological systems and developing new antimicrobials.
Researchers at Leibniz-HKI deciphered the function of Candidalysin's unusual protein structure, which reduces pathogenicity and opens up new treatment options. Nanobodies neutralize the toxin, blocking its activity and inhibiting tissue damage.
A team of researchers used CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing to enhance the nutritional profile and flavor of fungi, creating a new source of plant-based food alternatives. The modified fungi produce heme and ergothioneine, which can improve cardiovascular health benefits.
A new genus of fungi, Metacampanella, has been identified on grasses in the US Pacific Northwest. This discovery expands our understanding of fungal diversity and their ecological relationships with plants.
Researchers found GZ17-6.02 alone and in combination with standard-of-care agents was effective in killing MF cells, activating key pathways including ATM, AMPK, NFκB, and macroautophagy. The compound's unique multi-factorial mechanism suggests potential for treating mycosis fungoides.
Researchers studied how mosses and plants conquered land, discovering that fungi played a crucial role in nutrient absorption and plant resilience. The study also highlights the potential of mosses as natural fabricators for building materials or medicines in space exploration.
Researchers have discovered two new freshwater hyphomycete species, Acrogenospora alangii and Conioscypha yunnanensis, in southwestern China. These additions to the genera enhance the diversity of freshwater fungi known in the region, providing valuable insights into their ecological roles.
Researchers at the University of Nottingham have discovered a way to create different colors of blue cheese by inducing sexual reproduction in the fungus Penicillium roqueforti. The team created various fungal strains that produce colors ranging from white to yellow-green, red-brown-pink, and light to dark blues.
Researchers have developed a novel imaging method to study the intricate relationships within a fungal garden cultivated by leafcutter ants. The technique revealed crucial metabolites and enzymes driving plant degradation, highlighting the fungus as the primary degrader of plant materials.
A Dartmouth-led research team created an experimental green roof to test the effect of native prairie microbes on soil microbial community development. Their findings demonstrate that active management accelerates soil development faster than passive reestablishment, fostering a more diverse and sustainable soil community.
The discovery of 1.63-billion-year-old multicellular fossils from North China reveals that eukaryotes acquired simple multicellularity approximately 1.05 billion years ago. This finding supports the early appearance of the last eukaryotic common ancestor in the late Paleoproterozoic, consistent with molecular clock studies.
Researchers in Chile developed a prototype using microorganisms to remove VOCs and PAHs from indoor air, achieving efficiencies above 90%. The system can operate for 8 months without losing efficiency. This breakthrough offers a potentially low-cost solution to improve indoor air quality.
Researchers have developed a noninvasive method to quickly detect the deadly fungus Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans in shipments and captive settings. The new approach tests environmental DNA for Bsal DNA to assess the pathogen's prevalence, providing a way to make an essentially invisible pathogen visible.
The current emoji library underrepresents plant, fungus, and microorganism biodiversity while overrepresenting animals. This bias reflects known biases in biodiversity assessments and conservation analyses.
A research paper reveals a suburban backyard is home to 1,150 unique species of animals, plants, and fungi. The study's authors discovered unexpected diversity, including 436 moth and butterfly species, 56 spiders, and eight reptiles.
Researchers discovered the PanH enzyme, which catalyzes the selective epoxidation of cyclohexenones, a challenging reaction to achieve through chemical synthesis. The study shows that this enzyme can produce a large library of substances with improved and more specific activities in biomedical research.