Unearthing how a carnivorous fungus traps and digests worms
A new analysis sheds light on the molecular processes involved when a carnivorous species of fungus known as Arthrobotrys oligospora senses, traps and consumes a worm. Hung-Che Lin of Academia Sinica in Taipei, Taiwan, and colleagues present these fi.....»»
Scientists identify fungal proteins responsible for suppressing host plant immunity from infection
While infectious fungal plant diseases relentlessly wreak havoc on many crops, they are also picky when choosing their hosts. Each fungus generally exhibits a specific host range, but the mechanism of this specificity has not been well understood......»»
Pathogenic fungus found to infect dung beetles in Australia
A locally found pathogenic fungus, Beauveria australis, has for the first time been observed infecting imported dung beetles in Australia......»»
How a fungus sidesteps a plant"s defense mechanism
RIKEN scientists have discovered how a parasitic fungus renders harmless a powerful anti-fungal compound produced by some plants. As well as providing a fascinating glimpse into the ongoing arms race between plants and parasites, the finding could be.....»»
Examining puppeteer fungus" targeted takeover of zombie flies
In a new study published in eLife, lead author Carolyn Elya, postdoctoral researcher in the Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology at Harvard, reveals the molecular and cellular underpinnings behind the parasitic fungus, Entomophthora musc.....»»
Gutless marine worms on a Mediterranean diet: Animals can synthesize phytosterols
Cholesterol and phytosterol are sterols, fatty compounds essential for many biological processes such as the functioning of cell membranes. Up to now, it has been assumed that phytosterols are characteristic for plants, and cholesterol for animals, a.....»»
How do Candida auris and other fungi develop drug resistance? A microbiologist explains
One of the scariest things you can be told when at a doctor's office is "You have an antimicrobial-resistant infection." That means the bacteria or fungus making you sick can't be easily killed with common antibiotics or antifungals, making treatment.....»»
A Critical New Drug Is Coming—Unless Agriculture Gets There First
Two long-awaited fungus killers are about to roll out. But if one is widely deployed first, it might breed resistance and make the other useless......»»
Protein from a round worm may unlock a cellular "fountain of youth"
Working with tiny, nematode worms called C. elegans, a USask research team has identified a pair of genes responsible for clearing cells of the toxins which accumulate in the body and are responsible for aging. By inactivating genes called CCF-1 and.....»»
50,000 Worms Tangled Up in a Ball Unravel in an Explosive Burst when a Predator Appears
California blackworms make a contribution to the math and physics of knot tying by demoing twisting motions that help them escape a tangled worm ball.....»»
New rules ban subscription traps and fake reviews
The government's Digital Markets Bill aims to help consumers and increase competition......»»
Flies, worms poorly predict drugs" lifespan effects in mice, study indicates
If a drug extends the lifespan of worms or flies, is it likely to do the same in mice?.....»»
New federal program targets abandoned crab, lobster traps
The U.S. government is launching a new program to combat the scourge of abandoned crab and lobster traps, which can dilute harvests and kill other fish in coastal waters from Maine to Alaska......»»
How parasitic fungus hijacks nervous system of flies
The last thing Carolyn Elya expected to find in her backyard were zombies......»»
Farmer beetle finds suitable host trees by tracing scent of its fungus crop
The alnus ambrosia beetle Xylosandrus germanus, also known as the black stem borer, was accidentally introduced by humans from its native east Asia to North America and Europe around the beginning of the 20th century. X. germanus is a so-called ambro.....»»
Microorganism shows potential as an iron biofertilizer for cucumber plants
A UCO study shows that the FO12 strain of the Fusarium oxysporum fungus improves cucumber plants' responses to iron deficiencies, promoting their growth without having to resort to environmentally harmful products. The research is published in the jo.....»»
Why robotic worms could one day dig beneath your feet
Simulating an earthworm's movement is difficult, but could have very useful real-world applications......»»
I’m having a little too much fun building death traps in Meet Your Maker
Meet Your Maker took a bit to grow on me, but once I got into the flow and things started to click, I became hooked in a way I wasn't expecting......»»
New discovery could hold the key to healthy aging during global warming
Researchers have long known that many animals live longer in colder climates than in warmer climates. New research in C. elegans nematode worms suggests that this phenomenon is tied to a protein found in the nervous system that controls the expressio.....»»
Deadly fungal outbreak in Wisconsin linked to neighborhood construction
The outbreak centered around a one-mile area where the fungus wasn't known to lurk. Enlarge / This micrograph shows the presence of the fungal agent Blastomyces dermatitidis, 1978. (credit: Getty | CDC/Dr. Libero Ajello).....»»
Background warming and soil moisture feedback will enhance impact of heat domes, says study
In 2021, North America experienced one of the deadliest heatwaves in history. The heatwave was caused by a high-pressure system called a "heat dome" which traps hot air like a cap. To what extent the heat dome has contributed to the heatwave and whet.....»»