All Fungi articles – Page 2
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NewsFungi that colonise human faeces: first scientific study lays the groundwork for myco-sanitation
Filamentous fungi can colonise fresh human faeces, and the choice of fungal species shapes how the material changes, according to a new study. Depending on the species, the fungi accelerated degradation, reduced faecal indicator bacteria, suppressed faecal odour or changed the appearance of the material.
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NewsResearchers publish clinical data for rapid diagnostic urine test to detect invasive aspergillosis
Through long-standing research, which has been supported by the National Institutes of Health, investigators at Johns Hopkins Medicine have advanced insights into ways to better detect invasive aspergillosis (IA). Caused by mold, the infection is uncommon in the general population but can create significant health risks for people with underlying ...
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NewsNew study raises questions about antifungal treatments during pregnancy
A study suggests that common antifungal medicines used during pregnancy may be associated with changes in foetal hormone production. However, the researchers cannot yet say whether the differences observed have consequences for the children later in life.
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NewsRapid genomic test identifies fungal bloodstream infections
Researchers have developed a rapid genomic method that can identify fungal bloodstream infections at the species level in about seven hours. By combining host DNA depletion, whole-genome amplification and real-time nanopore sequencing, the approach could help clinicians select appropriate antifungal treatment much earlier.
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NewsAn unexpected lab guest reveals a natural pest repellent
An accidental fruit fly invasion in a research lab has led scientists to identify a naturally occurring yeast that repels a major blueberry pest. The unexpected discovery could eventually support new non-chemical ways to protect soft-fruit crops.
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NewsYosemite toad killer may be hiding in animals’ own homes
The Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) fungus has long been thought to live in and infect threatened Yosemite toads through their skin when they were in the water. Biologists have discovered that previously healthy toads emerged from winter hibernation burrows heavily infected, suggesting that the fungus proliferates underground in winter.
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NewsA deadly fungus may not live to see the last of us
The battle lines have finally shifted in the war against a deadly fungal disease. The fungal pathogen Aspergillus fumigatus has long been known to cause a severe, rapid respiratory infection, and it has become harder to fight. Researchers successfully killed the pathogen in animal studies by identifying how it resists current therapeutic methods.
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NewsChinese mangrove sediments reveal scale-dependent assembly of fungal communities
Researchers collected 300 sediment samples from seven representative mangrove wetlands across six national nature reserves along the southeastern coast of China. The team employed dual-amplicon high-throughput sequencing to simultaneously characterize fungal and prokaryotic communities.
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NewsThe Andes were supposed to stop this cacao killer - they didn’t
Black pod disease destroys up to a quarter of the world’s cacao every year. A study provides the first comprehensive portrait of Phytophthora palmivora’s genetic structure in Colombia. Researchers genotyped and virulence-tested 73 isolates gathered from 48 locations across the country’s three main cacao-growing regions.
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NewsWearable nanotech could combat nerve agents
Fungi-inspired nanoparticles could someday provide a new way to help soldiers fight back against deadly nerve agents on the frontline. Scientists developed a nanoparticle-based compound that, when mixed into clothing dyes, could limit the impact of chemicals commonly found in pesticides, insecticides and nerve agents.
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NewsA natural defence against skin-infecting fungi: Mediterranean rockrose extract
A polyphenol-rich extract from Cistus salviifolius demonstrated fungicidal activity against several dermatophytes and decreased fungal infection in a laboratory model of human epidermis.
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NewsFrog’s coat of bacterial armor helps protect it from fungal disease
The bacteria living on frogs’ skin could serve a vital role in protecting the animal from a deadly fungal disease. A team of researchers found that frogs’ natural skin bacteria can help them fight disease and improve their chances of survival.
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NewsCan this biotech innovation halt the destructive march of a cereal killer?
Researchers explored a recently discovered class of plant defence receptors, showing at molecular level how they function to limit blast pathogen attacks and how they might be bioengineered to introduce broader more durable immunity into wheat, barley, and rice.
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NewsScientists advance fungi-based upcycling of waste concrete
Scientists are investigating how fungi can be harnessed to transform demolished concrete into reliable, high-value materials for future infrastructure.
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NewsScientists demonstrate mushroom fermentation method to enhance protein content and flavour of soybean by-product
The lab-scale study highlights the potential of solid-state fermentation to upcycle perishable okara into a nutritious food ingredient.
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NewsSixteen new fungus species found hiding in Thailand’s flowers
Researchers have discovered sixteen new species of fungus living unnoticed inside garden and wild flowers across northern Thailand, more than quintupling the number of such fungi known to occur in the country.
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NewsSuccession of colonising fungi reveals the dynamic nature of herbivore dung
Scientists investigating fungi colonising the dung of African herbivores, including rhinoceros, giraffe and zebra, have revealed how different groups of fungi succeed one another as dung decomposes.
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NewsDeleting yeast DNA to save lives
People with weakened immune systems and some other conditions can experience an overgrowth of Candida yeasts, leading to a type of infection known as candidiasis. It might be possible to save these patients by using CRISPR to delete the very genes that let infectious Candida resist treatment - but which genes are responsible?
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NewsFungi neutralize spruce defense mechanisms with sugar
A newly discovered detoxification strategy employed by fungi disarms spruce defense compounds by binding a sugar to them, which makes spruce trees more susceptible to bark beetle attacks.
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NewsBreakthrough optimization of chlamydospore fermentation for Cladophialophora guangxiense HX2
The dark septate endophyte Cladophialophora guangxiense HX2 exhibits excellent control efficacy against tomato bacterial wilt but industrial production of its chlamydospores has been challenging. Researchers have optimized the liquid fermentation process using chlamydospore yield of strain HX2 as the key response indicator.