Slime molds are not actually fungi at all, but they are brainless predators
In HBO's post-apocalyptic drama "The Last of Us," human civilization has fallen in the face of a fungal takeover triggered by climate change......»»
Independent origins of frog glue and its role in predator evasion
Skin-secreted adhesives, or glues, are highly effective defense adaptations that have evolved recurrently in a small number of amphibians. From an ecological standpoint, this rapidly solidifying material—essentially, a sticky slime—encumbers the.....»»
Plant pathogen battle: A tomato protein"s dual role in defense and susceptibility
Tomatoes, a staple crop worldwide, are increasingly threatened by biotic stressors such as viruses, fungi, and bacteria, with the effects worsening under climate change. These challenges lead to reduced yields and compromised nutritional quality, hig.....»»
Bioengineers create new substrate to study wood-decomposing enzyme
Researchers want to transform the natural and abundant resource wood into useful materials, and central to that is a molecular machine found in fungi that decomposes the complex raw material into its basic components......»»
Caterpillars Sense Hungry Wasps’ Electrical Field
Predators’ electricity gives caterpillars an early warning.....»»
"Scuba-diving" lizards use bubble to breathe underwater and avoid predators
Presenting the world's smallest (and scrappiest) scuba diver: A species of semi-aquatic lizard produces a special bubble over its nostrils to breathe underwater and avoid predators, according to new research from Binghamton University, State Universi.....»»
Fungi to the rescue: South African scientists use innovative approach to protect apple trees
Gardeners the world over dread the appearance of aphids on their plants. There are around 4,000 species of these sap-sucking insects and about 250 are pests that can wreak havoc on crops in a garden or orchard......»»
The power of one: Study finds solitary carnivores outkill group hunters
Earth's majestic "apex predators" are some of the most prolific hunters in the world. But which ones kill the most?.....»»
DNA demethylation boosts tomato resistance to gray mold, study finds
Postharvest decay in fruits, primarily caused by pathogenic fungi, remains a major obstacle to agricultural sustainability and food security. Despite advances in fungicides and storage technologies, losses remain substantial, especially in developing.....»»
Researchers find live fungi, bacteria and viruses high in the Earth"s atmosphere
A team of climate, health and atmospheric specialists in Spain and Japan has found abundant live fungi, bacteria and viruses high in the Earth's atmosphere. In their study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the group co.....»»
Investigators identify predators threatening Madagascar"s iconic primates
In 2003, a team of primatologists led by the University of Colorado Boulder trapped, tagged and released a male ring-tailed lemur in the Bezà Mahafaly Special Reserve in Madagascar. The researchers captured him one more time in 2004, but after that,.....»»
Could alternative meat meet a growing demand?
Inside a UC Davis engineering lab, tiny round pellets swirl in a brown liquid inside a 5-liter glass tank. The tank, a bioreactor, is brewing edible fungi high in protein and designed to look and taste like meat......»»
Video evidence: Japanese eels escape from their predator"s stomach
Many prey species have defensive tactics to escape being eaten by their would-be predators. But a study published in Current Biology on September 9, 2024 has taken it to another level by offering the first video evidence of juvenile Japanese eels esc.....»»
Studying fungi"s "weak link" to fight global rise in deadly fungal infections
A group of scientists at the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory have conducted neutron scattering research to reveal key information about fungus cell membranes that could aid in developing new antifungal treatments......»»
Cops lure pedophiles with AI pics of teen girl. Ethical triumph or new disaster?
New Mexico sued Snapchat after using AI to reveal child safety risks. Enlarge (credit: Aurich Lawson | Getty Images) Cops are now using AI to generate images of fake kids, which are helping them catch child predators onl.....»»
How fish guts might play a role in future skin care products
There are some pretty strange ingredients in cosmetics and skin care products. One example is snail mucin—also known as snail slime—which is used for its moisturizing and antioxidant properties. But researchers reporting in ACS Omega might have f.....»»
Using fungal mycelium as the basis for sustainable products
Fungi have more to offer than meets the eye. Their thread-like cells, which grow extensively and out of sight underground like a network of roots, offer huge potential for producing sustainable, biodegradable materials. Researchers at the Fraunhofer.....»»
Can fungi turn food waste into the next culinary sensation?
Chef-turned-chemist Vayu Hill-Maini has a passion: to turn food waste into culinary treats using fungi......»»
Extreme weather threatens survival of seabirds and seals
Scientists have identified the Australian and Antarctic marine predators most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, and it will help focus conservation efforts for species under threat......»»
Rare whale species observed during recent Antarctic expedition
Research by Wageningen Marine Research and partners on the relationship between sea ice and the Southern Ocean food web investigates various components of that food web, including the so-called "top predators," or seabirds and marine mammals. To map.....»»
Paleontologists discover new predatory dinosaur with a distinctive "eyebrow"
Theropod dinosaurs are one of the most important large groups of dinosaurs, including well-known predators, such as Tyrannosaurus and Allosaurus, as well as modern birds. A variety of theropods are known from the Mesozoic Era, the age of the dinosaur.....»»