Articles tagged with Fungi
Researchers at Chalmers University of Technology discovered over 1000 pathways in fungi to produce natural and bioactive chemicals. The findings show vast potential for fungi to produce new antibiotics, efficient production of existing ones, and potentially more effective versions.
The invasive Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans fungus has led to mass mortality of fire salamanders in the Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany. Only 13% of infected salamanders survive over a 10-day period, highlighting the high risk of extinction.
A study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences reveals that termite gut efficiently breaks down lignin, a hard-to-degrade polymer. The termites' symbiotic system with fungus breaks down biomass in just 3.5 hours, holding a key to improving biofuel and paper production.
Ants cultivated and maintained vast subterranean farms producing fungi, dating back to 30 million years ago. These ancient agricultural ants have evolved complex societies, with crops dependent on ant farmers for survival.
A team of scientists has identified a transcription factor called MYB1 that regulates the lifespan of arbuscules in arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi. The discovery provides new insights into the molecular basis of balance in AM symbiosis and could lead to more effective symbiosis, potentially improving crop yields.
A new study found that certain bacterial species and fungal families are present in both land-based sources and coral reefs, suggesting invasion. The researchers used high-throughput DNA sequencing to analyze water samples from coastal inlets, sewage treatment plants, and coral tissues.
Scientists discovered a novel virus that weakens fungal incompatibility, allowing for transmission of unrelated viruses. This breakthrough could aid in controlling fungal diseases using viruses as a strategy.
A fungal biopesticide called Aprehend has been shown to be effective against bedbug populations with insecticide resistance. The study found that Aprehend achieved mortality rates of 95.5-99% in 14 days, compared to 16-40% for resistant strains exposed to pyrethroid insecticides.
Researchers at the University of Arizona have developed a promising method to prevent aflatoxin contamination in crops, which could improve food security in developing countries. The transgenic corn plants produce small RNA molecules that suppress toxin production when infected with a fungus.
Leaf-cutting ants can identify unsuitable plants for their fungus gardens based on colony waste cues, a study shows. Foraging ants avoided wasteful privet leaves after exposure to treated leaves' waste.
A new species of fungus gnat has been discovered in Finland, with the scientific name Sciophila holopaineni honoring Tuomas Holopainen. The insect thrives in shadowy environments and is part of a larger group of insects that can indicate the state of natural biodiversity.
The study sequenced 10 novel Aspergillus species, more than doubling the number of sequenced species, revealing greater genomic and functional diversity. This increased understanding will aid in developing enzymes for biofuels, paper, textiles, food, feed, and pharmaceuticals.
Researchers used a temperature gradient to levitate ceramic, polyethylene spheres, glass bubbles, ice particles, lint strands and thistle seeds in a vacuum chamber for over an hour. The method achieved radial and vertical stability, expanding possibilities for particle dynamics and interactions in microgravity environments.
Scientists found that resistant ash trees have low levels of chemicals defending against insects, highlighting a potential trade-off in tree resilience. Researchers warn against selecting trees for fungal resistance at the expense of insect protection.
A newly discovered virus infecting the fungus that causes white-nose syndrome in bats could help scientists track its spread. The variation in the viral genome provides clues about how the disease is moving, enabling researchers to better understand its epidemiology.
Scientists at Technical University of Munich have discovered an important mechanism in the body's defenses against fungi. Vav proteins play a key role in regulating the innate antifungal immunity pathway, particularly when CARD9 is present.
UC researchers have identified a new drug pathway to combat Pneumocystis pneumonia, which affects immune-compromised individuals and is often fatal. The study found that inhibiting the fungus's inositol transporter could be an effective treatment, offering hope for patients with HIV/AIDS and those on immunosuppressive drugs.
Research finds small populations of little brown bats in New York have lower infection levels, suggesting host resistance to white-nose syndrome. This is good news for some bat colonies, but other species show no sign of being able to persist with the disease.
Researchers at the University of Delaware have discovered a combination of beneficial soil microbes that can boost rice plant defenses against both arsenic and fungal diseases. By applying a 'health cocktail' of these microbes, plants can better withstand stresses, providing a natural solution for addressing global food security concerns.
A new study warns that the UK's fungal asthma problem is much worse than previously thought, with an estimated 300,000 adult cases. Invasive fungal infections, such as invasive aspergillosis and Candida bloodstream infections, are common and often fatal if left untreated.
A new bioinformatics tool has revealed that the evolution of white rot wood decay strategies in fungi involves a general elaboration of the decay apparatus, including numerous enzymes with unknown functions. The study found 409 genes associated with white rot wood decay, shedding light on the complexity of this process.
A new species of fungus-parasitizing orchid, Lecanorchis tabugawaensis, has been discovered in Japan. The orchid obtains its nutrients through a special symbiotic relationship with fungi, a phenomenon known as mycoheterotrophy.
A new species of fungal disease, Curvularia malina, has been identified on short-cut Bermuda and Zoysia grasses in southern US golf courses. The disease can cause black spots and reduce turf aesthetic quality, but proper diagnosis and management practices can mitigate its impact.
Researchers discovered a fungus, Piriformospora indica, that colonizes plant roots and suppresses their immune defense through the protein FGB1. This allows the fungus to avoid being attacked like disease-inducing fungi, facilitating a long-term symbiotic relationship.
A new study published in mSphere found that the pathogenic fungus Aspergillus fumigatus behaves similarly in space as it does on Earth. The research, led by Benjamin Knox, compared fungal isolates from the International Space Station to reference isolates from earth and found no significant changes in growth or virulence.
Researchers identified MIG1 gene controlling root cortex development and arbuscular mycorrhiza fungi symbiosis. This enables plants to extract nutrients from the ground, leading to improved growth and health.
Researchers have created a cost-effective method for producing lithium-ion battery electrodes using brewery wastewater, reducing costs for beer makers and providing a renewable fuel source. The unique partnership between breweries and batteries could lead to significant waste reduction and energy savings.
Researchers identified Mp1p as a key virulence factor in Talaromyces marneffei, allowing it to survive in macrophages and cause disease. The protein's homologs were also found to contribute to pathogenicity, highlighting a potential target for treatment.
Researchers are using naturally occurring fungi to extract valuable materials from waste batteries, including cobalt and lithium. The process uses oxalic acid and citric acid generated by the fungi to leach out the metals, with results showing up to 85% lithium and 48% cobalt extraction.
A study published in the journal mSphere found that a deadly bat fungus in Washington state is genetically similar to strains found in the eastern United States, suggesting it did not originate in Eurasia. The findings have implications for resource managers battling white-nose syndrome in North American bats.
A team of scientists discovered that ants first switched to farming fungi 55-60 million years ago, marking the beginning of a mutual adaptation. Leafcutter ants have since developed industrial-scale farming, producing protein-rich bulbs and thriving on an enormous scale.
Researchers from Hiroshima University have identified a new prebiotic, derived from fermented burdock root, that improves colon health in rats by increasing beneficial bacteria. The enzyme, produced during fermentation, has a stronger effect on Bifidobacterium in the colon than previous varieties of prebiotics.
Researchers found that commercial formulations of entomopathogenic fungus Metarhizium brunneum and Beauveria bassiana were effective in reducing house fly and stable fly egg-laying. The most effective product, Met52 EC, reduced oviposition by more than half and inhibited house fly development.
Scientists found 25 million-year-old fossil termite nests in East Africa with evidence of fungus gardens, a form of agriculture not by humans but by insects. This discovery provides the oldest known examples of agricultural practices and sheds light on how termites evolved to cultivate fungi.
Researchers discovered evidence of the world's oldest known fungus gardens within fossil termite nests from the Great Rift Valley of Africa, dating back approximately 25 million years. This finding pushes back the beginning of the termite-fungus symbiotic relationship to at least 31 million years ago.
Researchers are studying how microbes control ant behaviors using $2.56 million in grants from the National Institutes of Health and the National Science Foundation. The goal is to understand the complex collective behavior of fungi, which can precisely control their hosts' actions.
Researchers identified and recorded over 50 species of fungi, algae, cyanobacteria, lichens, and vascular plants at the Mars Desert Research Station. The study provides a first-line reference for identifying these organisms and serves as a starting point for future floristic and ecological work.
Researchers have devised a new method for synthesizing communesins, a group of fungal compounds with anticancer properties, by transforming carbon atoms into radicals and joining them together. This approach enables the production of designed variants with potentially greater potency.
Scientists discovered new natural products in the fungus Aspergillus fumigatus, which share similar biosynthesis pathways with plant isoquinoline alkaloids. The findings open up new roads for combinatorial biotechnology to develop novel active compounds and urgently needed new drugs.
Researchers analyzed genome sequences of fungi to understand their environmental response mechanisms. They found that whole-genome duplication led to the development of specialized genes enabling refined signal perception, which could aid in natural control of metabolic processes and biofuels production.
A newly compiled database of insect-fungi interactions has revealed that 65 percent of insect orders can be infected by fungi and Oomycetes. Sap-sucking insects, such as cicadas, are the most frequently attacked by fungi due to their specialized mouth parts for sucking sap.
Increased Arctic vegetation may counteract global warming by reducing decomposition and releasing stored carbon, according to a Lund University study. The study found that warmer temperatures trigger bacteria and fungi to break down nutrient-rich shrubs rather than moss, leading to reduced soil nitrogen.
Scientists have discovered that cells can perceive their own shapes, specifically curvature of the cell membrane, through a protein-based mechanism. This ability allows cells to organize themselves in response to changes in their environment.
Researchers have created a new machine-learning algorithm that reduces timing uncertainties in changing events by up to 300 times, allowing for more accurate dating and analysis of past events. The tool has applications in various fields, including geology, metrology, chemistry, biology, and astronomy.
Researchers discover a 'green beard' system in fungi to decide on compatibility and actively seek out favorable cells. This mechanism is necessary and sufficient to determine 'self' identity, enabling cooperation between non-genealogical relatives.
A new search function is presented to highlight the world's most undescribed fungi, with the aim of bridging knowledge gaps between fungal taxonomy and molecular ecology. The '50 Most Wanted Fungi' list provides genus-level clusters of fungal DNA sequences with unknown taxonomic affiliation.
Researchers have discovered that a specific type of bread mold, Neurospora crassa, can transform manganese into a mineral composite with favorable electrochemical properties. This process has the potential to create more sustainable electrochemical materials for use in rechargeable batteries.
Researchers discovered that volatile compounds from Pseudomonas aeruginosa stimulate the growth of Aspergillus fumigatus, a fungus found in lung infections. The most potent signal was dimethyl sulfide, which is taken up by the fungus to support growth.
Researchers discovered Asian bat species have lower levels of infection and fungal loads compared to North American bats, suggesting host resistance as a possible explanation. This finding provides hope that some declining North American bat species could evolve resistance to the devastating disease.
A rare fungal pathogen, Cryptococcus deuterogatti, has lost over a dozen genes involved in RNA interference, a defense mechanism used by fungi to protect their genomes. This loss of gene silencing machinery makes the fungus more virulent and deadly to humans.
A team of Danish investigators has created a modeling system that actually mimics indoor fungal aerosols, studying the impact of residential mold on human health. The system, published in Applied and Environmental Microbiology, contains at least eleven species of fungus associated with water damage, found in both Danish and US buildings.
Researchers have created a library of fungi-secreted enzymes that efficiently break down plant biomass, which could simplify and lower the costs of biofuel production. The discovery highlights the potential of symbiotic fungi from herbivore guts, particularly Piromyces, to degrade lignocellulose with enzyme synergy.
Researchers characterize primitive fungi to understand how they break down plant material and convert biopolymers into sugars. This breakthrough could lead to effective plant waste conversion and new chemical production methods, offering a significant step toward sustainable energy solutions.
Researchers at Kansas State University have successfully identified a resistance gene called 2NS and developed diagnostic tools to detect the disease. The team is working on finding new sources of resistance to overcome the constantly evolving fungus.
European scientists sent Antarctic fungi to the International Space Station for 18 months in conditions similar to Mars. More than 60% of their cells remained intact with stable DNA, indicating their ability to survive harsh Martian environments. Lichens from Spain and Austria also showed resilience under simulated Martian conditions.
Scientists have discovered four new fungus gnat species in the Scandinavian north, shedding light on regional insect diversity. The newly described taxa represent a small fraction of the numerous undescribed northern fly species, with more awaiting formal description.
Researchers have identified more than 300 species of fungi living on coffee leaves, including 15 likely fungal parasites that could be used to combat coffee rust disease. The study suggests using natural enemies to prevent the spread of the disease rather than relying on chemical control.
Scientists have discovered that holes in Mount Baldy's sand dunes were formed by entombed oak trees that decomposed into a cementing mineral, creating hazardous voids. The study, presented at the Geological Society of America meeting, sheds light on how these living systems interact between biology and geology.
A team of researchers has discovered the fungus that causes white-nose syndrome in caves where bats hibernate in northeast China. The finding greatly expands the known distribution of the fungus, which has decimated bat populations in North America since its appearance in upstate New York in 2006.
Scientists have identified the enzyme responsible for synthesizing tenuazonic acid (TeA), a well-known fungus-killing toxin that affects rice and other crops. The unique TeA synthetase 1 (TAS1) enzyme has an NRPS-PKS structure, previously thought to be exclusive to bacteria.