Articles tagged with Fungi
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.
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.
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 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.
Researchers discovered eight SDHI pesticide molecules harming earthworms, bees, and human cells by blocking succinate dehydrogenase activity. The study found these pesticides induce oxidative stress in human cells, leading to cell death, threatening human health.
Researchers found city homes to have a higher diversity of chemicals and fungi, while jungle huts had fresher air and natural materials that promote human health. Exposure to outdoor germs and natural materials may benefit the human microbiome.
A new software tool called Fungal Feature Tracker can analyze images of filamentous fungi to quantify their spores, branch networks and growth patterns, enabling faster data collection than traditional manual techniques. This advancement could improve our understanding of fungal biology and morphology.
Researchers have released a new cross-bred hazelnut cultivar, 'PollyO', which boasts high nut yield and resistance to eastern filbert fungal blight. The variety has been recommended for areas with similar climates and is well-suited for baked goods and chocolate products.
Scientists found 725 different microorganisms in Singapore's air, with bacteria dominating during the day and fungi at night. The discovery reveals a complex community structure that follows environmental conditions and has significant implications for human health and ecosystem sustainability.
Researchers at the University of Bath have characterized receptors unique to fungi that prevent sexual reproduction, which could be targeted to slow down fungal evolution. By making fungi believe they are starving, these receptors could inhibit sex and increase the shelf life of resistant crops and antifungal compounds.
Researchers discovered that stingless bee larvae depend on a symbiotic relationship with three fungi species to develop and reach adulthood. The interaction between these fungi modulates larval development and highlights the importance of preserving this relationship against pesticide use.
Microbiologists discover that wild-type Penicillium molds can evolve rapidly into domesticated strains, such as Penicillium camemberti, used in cheese production. After just weeks of growth, the wild mold resembles its domesticated cousin, changing its metabolism and appearance
A team of researchers from the University of Sydney has made a breakthrough in the search for an opioid alternative, discovering a fungus that produces tetrapeptides mimicking endomophins. The findings, published in PNAS, suggest a new drug could be developed with fewer side-effects and effective pain relief.
Researchers at UMD have identified a new pathway by which liver macrophages capture fungi in the bloodstream, preventing their spread and potentially treating various types of fungal infections. This discovery has significant implications for the treatment of invasive fungal infections, which kill 1.5 million people worldwide each year.
A new composite material with enhanced antifungal activity was created by irradiating metallic tungstate with electrons and femtosecond laser pulses. The modified compound displayed antifungal activity 32 times greater than original silver tungstate, while also showing promise in treating bladder cancer cells.
Certain fungi can expand their population over a thousand-fold, encouraging pancreatic cancer growth, according to a new study. The study found that treating mice with an antifungal drug reduced PDA tumor weight by 20-40 percent.
Researchers found that ant-associated bacteria produce continually evolving variants of antimicrobials, making it harder for parasitic fungi to become resistant. This strategy could hold promise as a means to address antimicrobial resistance in the clinic.
Researchers have found interactions between multiple genetic lineages of the amphibian-killing chytrid fungus, including a previously unknown lineage widespread in Southeast Asia. This discovery suggests that genetic recombinations can create more virulent hybrids, posing additional threats to amphibians and conservation efforts.
Fungi's genes encode enzymes that use simple building blocks to build complex molecules through a decade-long collaborative research effort, revealing a surprising Diels-Alder reaction. This discovery opens paths for improving chemical reactions and harnessing the enzyme to create new compounds with biological activities.
A UBC study found that fungi and associated microbes are degrading indoor building materials, compromising structural integrity and occupant health. The research highlights the need for multi-criteria design and optimized building materials to mitigate these effects.
Researchers discovered fungal communities in fetal gut, finding evidence of gradual natural colonization before birth. The study's findings suggest microbial components play important roles in human health and development.
Researchers have identified a specific rice immune receptor that can trigger immune reactions in response to multiple fungal proteins, paving the way for disease-resistant rice crops. Gene-editing technologies could be used to precisely insert genes into rice plants, overcoming issues with linkage drag and enhancing disease resistance.
Researchers at UTEP are studying Cryptococcus neoformans, a fungus that causes life-threatening meningitis in AIDS patients. The team aims to understand the fungus's entry into the brain and develop therapeutics to block this process and stimulate immune cells.
A new study found that organic apples contain a more diverse range of beneficial bacteria, which could contribute to improved gut health. In contrast, conventional apples were found to have higher levels of pathogenic bacteria, such as Escherichia-Shigella. The researchers also discovered that the bacteria in organic apples were more c...
Researchers identified a fungal compound, pericosine A, that safely and effectively neutralizes skunk spray odor. The compound reacted with and converted specific organosulfur compounds to stable, odorless products, making it suitable for skin application.
A new study suggests global warming may have played a pivotal role in the emergence of Candida auris, a serious public health threat. The fungus can grow at higher temperatures than its closely related species, adapting to climate change and breaking through human protective temperatures.
Dr. Ryan Perroy's solution uses high-resolution cameras and sensors to improve early detection of Rapid 'Ohi'a Death across forests, giving managers precious time to respond to outbreaks. The innovative approach also involves collecting samples from suspect trees using drones for laboratory analysis.
Research finds that common types of mold spores on the International Space Station can survive high doses of ionizing radiation, raising concerns about contamination and planetary protection protocols. The findings also suggest that fungi could be used to produce important compounds like antibiotics and vitamins in space.
Researchers from Tokyo University of Science demonstrate the molecular basis of chloramphenicol's adverse effects on eukaryotic cells. They found that the antibiotic targets appressorium formation in the rice blast fungus, which is critical for its infection cycle.
A team of scientists from Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory has developed an eco-friendly production platform for a blue pigment called indigoidine. The engineered fungus, Rhodosporidium toruloides, produces the pigment with a high yield, using sustainable carbon sources and reducing toxic chemicals.
Researchers from Chinese Academy of Sciences crack long-solved mystery by elucidating MPA biosynthetic pathway, revealing unique cooperation between enzymes and catabolic machinery. The study also sheds light on compartmentalized biosynthesis in fungi and plants.
A team of scientists has developed a 5-step program to keep New Guinea's frogs safe from the species-destroying chytrid fungus. The plan, published in Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment, aims to prevent the fungus from reaching the island while building local capacity for science and disease surveillance.
Researchers found that a nonlethal dose of insecticide curtailed the lives of bees by up to 50% and altered the behavior of worker bees when combined with a fungicide, potentially jeopardizing colony survival. The study suggests that the impact of pesticides on bees could be worse than previously thought.
A transgenic fungus engineered to deliver a toxin to mosquitoes safely reduced mosquito populations by over 99% in a simulated village setting. The fungus is selective and won't harm beneficial species like honeybees, making it a promising new approach to controlling malaria.
Researchers from Tokyo University of Science develop novel CRISPR/Cas9 strategies for gene disruption and introduction in filamentous fungi. Single-step gene targeting with short homologous sequences and bypassing PAM requirements enhance efficiency and speed.
A study by Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health found that 27% of popular e-cigarette products contained endotoxin, a microbial agent found on Gram-negative bacteria, while 81% contained glucan, a fungus cell wall component. Exposure to these toxins has been linked to respiratory problems and inflammation in humans.
Researchers found mostly human-associated microbes on the ISS, including opportunistic pathogens like Staphylococcus aureus. The study provides a comprehensive catalogue of bacteria and fungi, which can help improve safety measures for NASA's deep space human habitation.
Scientists have engineered a fungus to produce a high-concentration antibiotic, which could treat African sleeping sickness. The breakthrough uses genetic modification to create a non-toxic variant of the antibiotic, offering a cost-effective solution to this neglected tropical disease.
A new study shows that using safe, native strains of Aspergillus flavus can be as effective, or even more effective, than commercial strains in reducing aflatoxin levels in corn crops. Native strains may perform better due to their adaptation to soil type and weather conditions.
A microscopic fungus has caused a significant decline in amphibian populations, with at least 501 species affected. The chytrid fungus has led to a 93% decline in anuran species, which account for 89% of all amphibian species, and is thought to have spread from Asia to Central America via human transportation.
A global-scale analysis reveals that chytrid fungus has caused dramatic population declines in over 500 amphibian species, including 90 extinctions, within the past 50 years. The study suggests that conservation efforts can help target future research to prevent extinctions.