Articles tagged with Mycology
A research team at HHU Düsseldorf has discovered how the transport protein Rrm4 acts as a precision logistics expert in the fungus Ustilago maydis. The protein uses specific 'zip codes' on mRNA to identify and bind to, ensuring stable transport to distant sites within the cell.
Researchers at VUB and La Monnaie/De Munt have created a world-first shoe using pure mycelium as the sole material, achieving load-bearing capacity without reinforcement. The innovative design showcases the potential of fungal materials in traditional crafts.
A survey of Europeans reveals widespread ignorance about fungi as food, including misunderstanding of key terms like mycoprotein. Fungal-based foods face challenges in the EU market due to lack of knowledge and misconceptions.
A new study reveals that carefully designed biochar amendments can improve plant growth and soil health in saline-alkali soils by reshaping plant metabolism and microbial communities. Alkaline biochar was found to stimulate key metabolic pathways, while acid-modified biochar enhanced root development and activated plant defense systems.
Scientists have discovered two new species of fungi, Neohelicomyces coffeae and Neohelicomyces puerensis, growing on dead coffee branches in Yunnan Province. These saprophytic fungi play a vital role in the coffee ecosystem by decomposing organic matter and unlocking trapped nutrients.
Research at Tohoku University reveals that mushrooms adjust their communication levels in response to urine application, with increased flow when water is applied and decreased flow when urine is applied. The findings suggest that forest mushrooms can flexibly change their electrical information flow in response to various disturbances.
Researchers found that combining biochar with beneficial bacteria significantly improves phosphorus availability, reshaping plant development and increasing crop yields in greenhouse-grown cherry tomatoes. The study also showed that this approach can enhance soil fertility and crop productivity without increasing fertilizer inputs.
Researchers at Hiroshima University developed a new tool to quickly and accurately map fungal gene functions, even for species with no reference genomes. The tool successfully annotated over 96% of protein-coding transcripts, providing high-resolution functional detection in diverse fungal lifestyles.
Researchers analyzed 48 isolates of P. griseola and found a potential symbiotic relationship between the fungus and endophytic bacterium Achromobacter xylosoxidans, influencing disease severity. The study sheds light on how the pathogen evolves and may point to new strategies for breeding disease-resistant crops.
Researchers have identified fungal proteins that can catalyze ice formation at high subzero temperatures, making them a potential alternative to toxic silver iodide in cloud seeding. The discovery could lead to safer weather modification and improved food preservation techniques.
A NASA-funded project is testing whether fungi can be grown into building materials for construction on the moon and Mars. Researchers are exploring in-situ resource utilization, using local materials to support exploration and long-term habitation.
A partnership between Goethe University Frankfurt and Universidad de Costa Rica aims to deepen scientific understanding of Costa Rica's biodiversity, with a focus on conservation. The €450,000 funding will support joint research initiatives, including pilot projects on fungal diversity and the establishment of a culture collection.
Researchers from Cornell University discovered that fungi can convert low-value agricultural byproducts into nutritious foods through fermentation. The
Researchers have established that Candida albicans fungus makes melanoma more aggressive by activating signaling pathways and creating conditions for malignant cells to acquire oxygen and energy. The study's findings suggest potential new avenues for cancer treatment using antifungal therapies.
Fungi have evolved unique strategies to digest charcoal and other pollutants, including gene duplication and horizontal gene transfer. These discoveries could lead to new methods for cleaning up contaminated environments.
A new study using AI-powered BioBERT model accurately identifies fungal lifestyles, switching between helpful partner for plants to aggressive decomposers. The tool has nearly 90% accuracy and can scan thousands of papers in minutes, flagging species that may switch roles.
Candida auris is a highly virulent fungus spreading globally, affecting 6.5 million people annually with high mortality rates. New review highlights strategies for combating its spread, including vaccination and treatment, as well as improving diagnostics and surveillance mechanisms.
Researchers discovered that beneficial fungi enhance plant resistance to disease by remodelling the plant cell membrane at pathogen infection sites. This transformation coincides with a significant reduction in pathogen colonisation and offers critical new insights into how plants coordinate defences in complex natural environments.
Researchers from Ohio State University have developed shiitake-based devices that can act as organic memristors, a type of data processor. These devices demonstrated similar reproducible memory effects to semiconductor-based chips and showed potential for creating low-cost, environmentally friendly brain-inspired computing components.
An international team has discovered 30 novel fungal lineages using eDNA long-read sequencing techniques, shedding light on the unknown diversity of eukaryotic organisms. The researchers developed innovative taxonomic approaches to describe and communicate these unseen microeukaryotes.
Researchers have found a fungus, Marquandomyces marquandii, that can grow into hydrogels with unique structural properties, such as high water absorption and elasticity. These properties make it a potential candidate for biomedical uses like tissue regeneration and flexible wearable devices.
New research reveals fungi's deep timeline, dating back 1.4-0.9 billion years, which influenced ancient terrestrial ecosystems and shaped the evolution of life on land. The study uses rare genetic 'gene-swap' clues to overcome the fungal fossil record gap.
Researchers discover two distinct methods for producing psilocybin in mushrooms, one in Psilocybe species and another in fiber cap mushrooms. The finding sheds light on convergent evolution and the unique biochemical strategies employed by fungi to produce the same molecule.
Researchers found 148 fungi-associated genetic variants linked to 9 fungal taxa and associated with chronic disease risk. The study sheds light on the human genetic determinants of the mycobiome, a previously understudied group of gut microorganisms.
Researchers found that a compound produced by Lactobacillus bacteria can reverse liver and gut damage caused by aflatoxin exposure. The molecule, 10-hydroxystearic acid, activated PPARα signaling to repair liver tissue and support gut health.
A new study found that global climate conditions affect the spore traits of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, influencing their survival, spread, and interaction with plants. The research provides insights into the environmental adaptations of microorganisms, which could guide soil restoration and food production.
Researchers found that cultivating bread wheat with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus Rhizophagus irregularis increases grain size and micronutrient levels, especially phosphorus and zinc. This process enhances the bioavailability of these essential nutrients in bread wheat.
A new Korea University study provides the first species-specific health risk estimates for indoor airborne microbes based on animal toxicity data. The research determines that exposure to fungi may be unsafe even at levels below current guidelines, while bacteria are within existing regulatory limits.
A new study reveals that 83% of ectomycorrhizal fungi are dark taxa, meaning they can't be linked to named or described species, posing problems for conservation efforts. The discovery highlights the importance of protecting these underground fungi, which regulate Earth's climate and ecosystems.
Chinese researchers found well-preserved fossil fungal hyphae in a Jurassic petrified wood sample, providing the earliest evidence for this fungal group. The discovery suggests that blue-stain fungi originated during the Late Paleozoic or early Mesozoic era.
A WVU microbiology student has discovered a new species of fungus, Periglandula clandestina, that produces effects similar to the semisynthetic drug LSD. The fungus is highly efficient at making ergot alkaloids, which can be used therapeutically to treat conditions like depression and addiction.
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.
Under carbon limitation, trees shift from roots to mycorrhiza for nutrient acquisition. Mycorrhizal colonization and extramatrical hyphal length increase, while root physiological activity declines.
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.
Researchers developed high-resolution risk maps to predict where charcoal rot occurs in soybean fields. The maps use measurable soil characteristics to assess risk across the landscape and identify hotspots for targeted approaches to managing the disease.
The Phytovirome Focus Issue addresses fundamental and translational aspects of phytovirome science, highlighting the transformative role of high-throughput sequencing technologies. Researchers discovered a remarkable diversity of viruses in plants, with complex communities interacting with hosts in both pathogenic and beneficial ways.
Researchers develop sustainable passive cooling solution using mycelium-bound composites, outperforming conventional insulation materials in tropical climates. The 'fungi tiles' mimic an elephant's ability to regulate heat from its skin, improving cooling rates and thermal conductivity.
The Libroscope initiative seeks to unlock and link data from scientific literature to support understanding of biodiversity. By 2035, the power of biodiversity knowledge will be fully leveraged within an open science framework.
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.
The flagship journal of the International Mycological Association has been published on the new ARPHA platform by Pensoft. The first ten manuscripts have now been published, featuring a broad spectrum of mycological subdisciplines and including articles on fungal evolution, ecology, and conservation.
A new global guideline has been published to manage fungal infections caused by Candida, affecting millions worldwide annually. The guideline establishes standards for prevention, diagnosis, and innovative treatment approaches.
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.
The International Mycological Association has partnered with Pensoft to transition its flagship journal, IMA Fungus, to the ARPHA publishing platform. The new collaboration aims to improve and streamline the publication process, providing faster review cycles and more efficient communication.
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 Research Training Group will investigate the evolution of nuclear genomes in organisms using different forms of reproduction, including asexual and sexual reproduction. The group aims to better understand the dominance of sexual reproduction in nature through empirical analysis of changing and evolving genomes.
Researchers at Osaka Metropolitan University discovered that persimmon tannin improves the growth of Saccharomyces cerevisiae in the presence of ethanol. The antioxidant properties of persimmon tannin limit oxidative damage, allowing yeast to thrive and increasing bioethanol production efficiency by 8.9-fold.
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.
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.
The new guideline aims to improve diagnosis and treatment of cryptococcosis, a fatal fungal infection that affects mainly the lungs and brain. It provides practical guidance for medical staff to recognize and manage invasive fungal infections, with the goal of improving patient survival rates.
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.
Researchers have discovered four new species of gasteroid fungi in the Pannonian sandy steppe of Hungary, including Tulostoma shaihuludii. The discoveries highlight the importance of geographic isolation and habitat diversity in emerging new species.
Researchers at the University of Houston have discovered that microalgae can be used to sequester carbon dioxide and convert it into mass-produced proteins, lipids, and carbohydrates. This process has the potential to transform food production, treat wastewater, and produce sustainable biofuels.
Mycena fungi have been found to be consistently present in the roots of living plant hosts, suggesting an evolutionary leap from saprotrophic decomposers to invasive species. They also exhibit early signs of mutualism with trees, exchanging nitrogen for carbon and working together to benefit their hosts.
Researchers highlight single cell protein as a promising alternative protein source from microorganisms, which can thrive on diverse waste materials and enhance socio-economic sustainability. The review also emphasizes the need for consumer acceptance to effectively commercialize this eco-friendly protein source.
A newly discovered fungus has been found to transform the toxic compound patulin into less harmful byproducts, offering potential solutions for controlling its presence in food products. The fungus, identified as Acremonium sp., was shown to degrade patulin into desoxypatulinic acid and other compounds, which are significantly less toxic.
A new study reveals that some US truffle producers are accidentally cultivating winter truffles instead of European black truffles, a more valuable species. The researchers analyzed specimens from 10 anonymous truffle orchards and found that all but one were winter truffles.
Researchers have identified a new group of mitochondrial viruses confined to arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi Glomeromycotina, which may represent an ancestral lineage of mitoviruses. These large duamitoviruses possess distinct characteristics and are globally distributed in ecological niches occupied by glomeromycotinian fungi.
A recent study found large groups of fungi that don't form fruiting bodies and can't be grown in labs, highlighting their ecological importance. The authors suggest modifying nomenclature rules to describe these 'dark fungi', which could prove to be the dominant lifestyle in the fungal kingdom.
A new review by CABI-led experts highlights the organization's decade-long battle against emerging fungal diseases caused by climate change. CABI has developed a powerful toolset of techniques, including DNA sequencing and MALDI-TOF analysis, to identify disease-causing microorganisms.