Articles tagged with Fungi
Researchers have sequenced over 700 novel microbial genomes from the gut microbiome of a goat, discovering that fungi play a disproportionate role in biomass degradation. The study also found that fungi are more efficient at producing methane, a potential game-changer for renewable energy production.
Researchers found that reindeer lichens have unexpected levels of genetic diversity, indicating more gene-mixing among individuals. This contradicts the long-held assumption that these organisms mainly reproduce asexually.
A team of scientists discovered a 635 million-year-old fungi-like microfossil in South China's Doushantuo Formation, which predates the oldest dinosaurs. The fossil provides evidence of fungi's role in recycling nutrients and influencing biochemical weathering during the Ediacaran period.
Researchers found that two types of fungi can effectively reduce aphid infestations by increasing plant defenses, leading to fewer aphids and less damage to crops. The fungi work by establishing themselves in plant roots and tissues, causing plants to produce more natural defense substances.
A recent study found no association between gut fungi and Parkinson's disease, contrary to previous studies on the bacterial microbiome. The researchers analyzed fecal samples from 95 PD patients and 57 controls, concluding that fungi were sparse in the gut microbiomes of PD patients.
A team of scientists has developed objects made with living materials, using fungi as a key component. The research demonstrates that fungi can sense and process various external stimuli, including light, temperature, and electrical signals, making them suitable for creating sustainable smart wearables.
A recent study found that bats infected with white-nose syndrome continue to roost in warm and deadly sites, leading to higher mortality rates. Researchers suggest that altering these sites may be crucial for conservation, but interventions must consider the complex physiology of bat species.
Research from the University of Copenhagen found that Danish and Chinese people experience bitter tastes differently, with Chinese test subjects being more sensitive. Anatomical differences in tongue papillae may explain this difference. The study suggests that ethnic differences may play a role in taste perception.
Researchers in Denmark have found two new fungal species that infect adult flies, creating a hole in their abdomens and keeping them flying for days. The fungi may be producing substances that 'dope' the flies, with potential applications in medicine.
A study found that amphibian declines due to the amphibian chytrid fungus exacerbated malaria outbreaks in Costa Rica and Panama during the 1990s and 2000s. Preserving biodiversity can benefit humans as well as local ecosystems.
Researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory are developing innovative technologies to improve transportation, biology, radiation, and climate. Air taxis could significantly reduce fuel consumption while alleviating traffic congestion. Fungi use signaling molecules to communicate with each other and regulate growth. The lab is also vis...
Researchers analyzed seven Da Vinci drawings using Nanopore sequencing, finding a dominance of bacteria over fungi, with many exhibiting human or insect microbiomes. The study also identified human DNA, likely introduced by restoration workers, and correlations with geographical location.
Researchers have identified 13 efficient natural and semi-synthetic glucosinolate derivatives as effective fungicides against widespread fungal plant pathogens. These compounds exhibit strong synergistic fungitoxic effects when used in combination.
Researchers found a correlation between household chemicals and reduced bacterial diversity in children's guts. The study suggests that exposure to semi-volatile organic compounds may impact human health, with potential implications for probiotic interventions.
Researchers have discovered a highly developed social system in the sugarcane shot-hole borer beetle, where females can reproduce and help with caring for fungal cultures. The beetles' cooperative brood care is rare in nature and may provide insights into the evolution of sociality.
Fungus-farming ants have domesticated fungus over 60 million years, retaining a stable food supply despite climate change. They regulate nutrients used to grow crops, using a blend of plant substrates to target specific nutritional requirements for their fungal crop.
The study reveals that fertile female helper beetles reproduce alongside their mother, the colony foundress, while non-fertile females focus on caring for the brood and fungus. A specialized fungus in the genus Raffaelea is the primary food source for larvae.
Researchers studied attine ants and their fungal crops, finding that the ants' ability to target specific nutritional needs evolves as they develop more advanced farming practices. The findings suggest that humans can learn from nature's agricultural systems, which prioritize nutritional sustainability over industrial-scale production.
A single fungicide application at the silking stage provides the best foliar disease control in Kentucky corn crops, according to research by Carl Bradley and colleagues. This approach is more cost-effective than sequential applications, allowing farmers to improve their return on investment.
A landmark special issue collaboration between Kew and New Phytologist Foundation highlights the global roadmap for protecting and sustainably using plants and fungi. The research emphasizes the importance of collaboration and recognizes the threats to plant and fungal diversity, highlighting a critical need for conservation efforts.
Researchers have identified a fungal compound, cercosporamide, that inhibits BMP receptors, which are overactive in certain diseases. This finding offers new possibilities for treating conditions like Fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva.
Researchers at the University of Tsukuba have discovered a mutualistic relationship between fungi and bacteria that allows bacteria to travel on fungal highways in exchange for thiamine. The study reveals a new mechanism by which bacteria can disperse and multiply, using the fungus as a 'highway' to colonize new areas.
Scientists have found a new metabolic pathway that can be disrupted with acetohydroxamic acid, preventing many plant fungi from invading the host plant. The discovery provides a new approach to pathogen control using an existing active ingredient.
A team of entomologists from St. Petersburg State University has discovered a new species of tropical Heteroptera, Tatupa grafei, characterized by its golden color and distinctive long antennae. The discovery sheds light on the biodiversity of the island of Borneo and highlights the importance of preserving these unique organisms.
A $1m research project will examine fossilised fungi from 15-17 million years ago to forecast the impact of predicted rises in current global temperature on present day species. The study aims to understand how fungi respond to past warm climates, which could provide valuable information for adapting to climate change.
Researchers argue that fungi-derived leather is a promising alternative to traditional leather due to its sustainability and cost-effectiveness. The material is biodegradable, releases less carbon into the atmosphere, and has a similar feel to animal leather.
Researchers have identified the human immune system's Achilles heel for a new, effective drug against Candida auris. The fungus is especially dangerous for people with compromised immunity and can be resistant to many disinfectants and fungicides.
Researchers found that patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) have lower fungal diversity in their lungs, leading to more severe disease outcomes. This is because fungi can activate and regulate the immune system, contributing to inflammation and organ failure.
A study published in Nature Communications reveals that mitochondrial calcium transporters duplicated around one billion years ago, giving rise to two subtypes. Only one subtype is present in animals, while most fungi conserve the other, making chytrids a suitable model organism for research.
A new species of red truffle was recently identified in Oregon, named Tuber luomae after researcher Dan Luoma who discovered it in 1981. The discovery was confirmed using DNA analysis and microscopic structures, revealing a unique species with limited geographic distribution.
A comprehensive study has identified 140 fungal species, including nine new to Belgium and the Netherlands, highlighting the diversity of Laboulbeniomycetes. The newly described fungus, Laboulbenia quarantenae, is a rare parasite found on ground beetles in Belgium.
Using a weather-based decision support system can significantly improve Cercospora leaf spot control in table beet by reducing unnecessary fungicide applications. The approach also helps minimize the risk of resistance development due to single-site modes of action.
A team of scientists at the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center has identified a sub-class of peptides in legumes that inhibit the growth of gray mold fungus. The peptides, known as NCR044, work by concentrating in the nucleolus and targeting fungal spores and germlings.
Researchers discovered that the white mold fungus Sclerotinia sclerotiorum uses two detoxification mechanisms to overcome the mustard oil bomb in plants of the cabbage family. The fungus can grow on these plants by rendering the toxic isothiocyanates harmless.
Researchers from the University of Nottingham have created a novel solution to combat fungi using a non-toxic polymer coating that reduces attachment of fungal pathogens. The coating, made from (meth)acrylate polymers, has shown up to 100% reduction in fungal growth on various surfaces.
Researchers from the University of Copenhagen's Natural History Museum of Denmark have discovered a new species of parasitic fungus on American millipedes, found via a shared photo on Twitter. The newly discovered fungus, Troglomyces twitteri, is part of the Laboulbeniales order and has never been documented before.
Researchers develop a trait-based understanding of fungal decomposition abilities, improving predictive power for early and mid-stage wood decay. The study identifies different fungal traits that explain wood decomposition variation, with great potential to improve carbon cycle predictions in forests.
Researchers found that gypsy moth larvae feeding on fungal-infected poplar leaves grew faster and pupated earlier than those fed only on leaf tissue. Fungal spores contain important nutrients like amino acids, nitrogen, and vitamins, which enhance the caterpillars' performance.
Researchers have developed a new method to visualize fungi using expansion microscopy, allowing for detailed studies of fungal biology and potential applications in medicine. The technique has been successfully applied to three fungal species, including the clinically relevant Aspergillus fumigatus.
A recent study on fungal diseases in Åland found that roadsides are a primary source of powdery mildew fungi, which can spread efficiently through the air. The researchers used advanced statistical methods to identify complex mechanisms in nature and shed light on how diseases transmit and evolve.
Researchers at the University of Exeter have identified a novel mono-alkyl chain lipophilic cation (MALC) that protects crops against fungal diseases. The compound, C18-SMe2+, inhibits fungal mitochondria and triggers a self-destruction program in fungi, while also alerting plant defense systems.
A reanalysis of a global amphibian disease study found the main conclusions lack evidence and are unreproducible. The research review previously linked the chytrid fungus to hundreds of amphibian declines, but the new analysis identified data deficiencies and methodological issues.
Researchers found opossums removing bracts and eating nectar from Scybalium fungiforme flowers, confirming a nearly three-decade-old theory. The study also revealed hummingbirds as secondary pollinators, adding complexity to the plant's adaptation.
Research by ecologist Kathleen Treseder reveals that fungi make resource allocation decisions in response to climate change. In extreme conditions, fungi store more carbon, but in moderate climates, they release more carbon dioxide.
Researchers discover that up to 90% of plant species rely on fungi for organic nutrients, challenging the long-held assumption of fair exchange relationships.
Climate change is likely to unlock dangerous new microbes and threaten humans' ability to regulate body temperature. Rising temperatures pose a threat to humanity's thermoregulation and survival.
Researchers have introduced a gel that is activated by red light to produce reactive oxygen compounds effectively killing bacteria and fungi. The hydrogel combines photodynamic antimicrobial chemotherapy with fully synthetic properties, overcoming previous biocompatibility issues.
Researchers at Tokyo University of Science discovered that extremely low concentrations of acetic acid can alter cellular processes in rice blast fungus, leading to appressorium formation and infection. The study reveals the novel role of acetic acid in metabolic switching and cell differentiation in eukaryotic cells.
Enzymes from white rot fungi accelerate lignin breakdown in wood, a key step in carbon cycling. This process is the rate-determining step in the global carbon cycle, with half-life exceeding the age of the universe.
A new study suggests that global biodiversity levels could be lower than previously thought due to the long-lasting impact of abrupt land changes. Biodiversity assessments may be underestimating species loss at sites with recent disturbances, such as deforestation or agriculture intensification.
Researchers at the University of Johannesburg have decoded how priming with rhizobacteria enhances sorghum's resistance to fungal attacks. The low-cost approach can be used to counter other pathogens in economically important food crops, boosting crop yields and reducing environmental impact.
Researchers from the Hubrecht Institute and Utrecht University have set up a library of products derived from over ten thousand fungi to find new therapeutic compounds. They found 34 known compounds, including the cholesterol-lowering drug lovastatin, using zebrafish embryos as a test subject.
Researchers have developed a new technique to study flagellate organisms, tiny eukaryotic creatures that provide clues about the emergence of complex life on Earth. By analyzing mitochondrial DNA and exploiting unique protein structures, scientists can fill in the gaps of the eukaryotic puzzle and better understand the history of life.
A recent study found that a fungus containing N2-fixing endobacteria improves rice nitrogen nutrition, increasing biomass and ammonium in treated plants. The three-kingdom interaction among the fungus, bacteria, and plant may hold the key to improving nitrogen nutrition in crop plants.
Tropical Storm Fung-Wong was found to have two small areas of moderate to heavy rainfall despite strong wind shear. The Global Precipitation Measurement mission measured rainfall rates throughout the storm on Nov. 22, with heaviest precipitation occurring at a rate of 1.6 inches per hour.
NASA's Terra satellite captured an image of Tropical Storm Fung-Wong, showing strong thunderstorms around its low-level center. The storm is moving north and weakening rapidly, with maximum sustained winds of 55 knots (63 mph/102 kph).
Tropical Storm Fung-Wong is becoming more organized and symmetrical, indicating strengthening. The storm is forecast to strengthen to 55 knots within 24 hours before weakening rapidly near Taiwan.
Researchers discovered Caenorhabditis nematodes harboring virus-like RNA elements that are transmitted to offspring, suggesting a new route of viral transmission in multicellular animals. This finding expands our understanding of viruses beyond traditional capsid-based transmission methods.
Lichens are now known to have evolved millions of years after complex plants, contradicting the long-held theory that they were among the first organisms to colonize land. This new understanding sheds light on the early evolution of ecosystems and the role of lichens in shaping the environment.
Researchers discovered a chitin-binding protein in the soilborne fungus Verticillium nonalfalfae that abolishes the host plant's chitin-triggered immune response. This finding highlights convergent evolution of similar functions among structurally unrelated fungal effectors.