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......»»
Vacuum cleaner-effect in fungi can hold nanoplastics at bay
Using micro-engineered soil models, researchers at Lund University in Sweden have investigated the effect of tiny polystyrene particles on bacteria and fungi. While these nanoplastics reduced both bacterial and fungal growth, the fungus actually mana.....»»
AI of the tiger: Tiny camera "protects" predator—and people
Tiger populations are on the rise in the jungles of India and Nepal and the predators are roaming ever closer to villages, sparking a race among conservationists to find ways of avoiding conflict......»»
The medicine of the future could be artificial life forms
Creating artificial life is a recurring theme in both science and popular literature, where it conjures images of creeping slime creatures with malevolent intentions, or super-cute designer pets. At the same time, the question arises: What role shoul.....»»
Did animal evolution begin with a predatory lifestyle?
Were the first animals predators or filter feeders like the sponges living in today's oceans? And what role did symbiosis with algae play, as with reef-building corals? Surprising findings by a research group led by Prof. Dr. Thomas W. Holstein of He.....»»
Fungi as a sustainable and tasty alternative with potential to transform our food systems
They are sustainable and healthy—filamentous edible fungi that are fed with, for example, oats. The latest addition to the world-leading research at the Swedish Center for Resource Recovery is Neda Rousta's doctoral thesis on filamentous fungi with.....»»
How climate change could make fungal diseases worse
Disease-causing fungi are likely to thrive in a warmer, stormier world. Enlarge / Histoplasma capsulatum is a species of parasitic, yeast-like dimorphic fungus that can, if inhaled, cause a type of lung infection called histoplas.....»»
Mineral nanoparticles could potentially act as nanozyme mimics, assisting fungi in breaking down organic pollutants
A study led by Dr. Guanghui Yu from School of Earth System Science, Tianjin University, delved into the role of magnetite nanoparticles as nanozyme mimics......»»
Turning up gravity for space fungi study
Fungi in space have been a plot point in Star Trek: Discovery, but they are also a very real problem for astronauts and space stations. United Nations co-sponsored testing by a team from Macau in China subjected fungi to hypergravity with ESA's fast-.....»»
Parasitic plant convinces hosts to grow into its own flesh—it"s also an extreme example of genome shrinkage
If you happen to come across plants of the Balanophoraceae family in a corner of a forest, you might easily mistake them for fungi growing around tree roots. Their mushroom-like structures are actually inflorescences, composed of minute flowers......»»
Clever lapwings use cover to hide in plain sight
Ground-nesting birds called lapwings use the shape of their nests and surroundings to hide from predators, new research shows......»»
Natural compound found in plants inhibits deadly fungi
A new study finds that a natural compound found in many plants inhibits the growth of drug-resistant Candida fungi—including its most virulent species, Candida auris, an emerging global health threat. The journal ACS Infectious Diseases published t.....»»
New research predicts effects of marine heat waves on top ocean predators
Forecasts can now predict the location and onset of marine heat waves that can disrupt marine ecosystems. Scientists say the next step is to forecast what happens to top predators that inhabit those ecosystems......»»
Researchers reveal the hidden world of Toronto"s urban predators, and their prey
Raccoons may be Toronto's unofficial mascot, but the furry creatures that plunder our green bins are far from the only wild animals that live among us......»»
How to make color-changing "Transformers" with polymers
Shape and color changing are key survival traits for many animals. Chameleons can change their body to hide from predators, to reflect their moods, or even to defend their territory, while some soft-bodied animal-like octopuses, squids, and cuttlefis.....»»
The 46 best shows on Netflix in September 2023
The best shows on Netflix In September include the new series Dear Child, nature documentary Predators, and hits like Suits, Who is Erin Carter?, and One Piece......»»
Synthesis of nanoparticles by microorganisms: Exploring the green power of fungi
They are used as medicines, drug carriers and to combat microbes in hospitals, destroy plant pathogens and reduce the amount of traditional fertilizers used in agriculture—nanoparticles are taking over medicine and the agri-food industry......»»
New research sheds light on how harmful fungi could become helpful and reduce food waste
Mold and diseases caused by fungi can greatly impact the shelf life of fruit and vegetables. However, some fungi benefit their hosts by aiding plant survival. Colletotrichum tofieldiae (Ct) is a root mold that typically supports continued plant devel.....»»
Fungi could be the answer to breaking down plastic junk
Enzymes that break down a polymer in wood can also handle polyethylene. Enlarge (credit: Anton Petrus) Plastic is becoming a plague on Earth. Not only are landfills bursting with it, but it has also polluted our oceans t.....»»
Newly discovered fungus helps destroy a harmful food toxin
Patulin (C7H6O4), a mycotoxin produced by several types of fungi, is toxic to a variety of life forms, including humans, mammals, plants, and microorganisms. In particular, environments lacking proper hygienic measures during food production are susc.....»»
Study predicts songbirds" alarm calls will be impacted by high temperatures due to climate change
An international study has predicted that high temperatures caused by climate change will impact the ability of the common songbird great tits (Parus major) to sound the alarm and scare off predators, potentially impacting the species future. The res.....»»