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.....»»
Indian iPhone plant found ‘highly hazardous’ to worker health in previously secret report
An Indian iPhone plant run by Foxconn was temporarily closed down back in 2021 due to major health infractions in worker accommodation – including the presence of rats, food crawling with worms, and toilets without running water. Now for the fir.....»»
Climate change and carnivores: Shifts in the distribution and effectiveness of protected areas in the Amazon
A new article published in PeerJ, authored by Camila Ferreira Leão at Universidade Federal do Pará sheds light on the effects of climate change on carnivorous mammals in the Amazon and their representation within Protected Areas (PAs). "Climate cha.....»»
Scientists zero in on the life-threatening fungus, Candida auris" ability to stick
In 2009, a mysterious fungus emerged seemingly from out of thin air, targeting the most vulnerable among us. It sounds like Hollywood, but the fungus in question poses a very real threat. Scientists are scrambling to figure out what makes the life-th.....»»
Aquatic animals can help purify our wastewater, says researcher
Aquatic creatures may help purify our wastewater. A team of researchers has investigated how invertebrates, such as worms, non-biting midge larvae and mussels that live on the bottom of streams and ditches, may benefit wastewater treatment plants. Th.....»»
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.....»»
Unearthing ancient faith: Byzantine Greek inscription of Psalms 86 found in Hyrcania
Archaeologists from The Hebrew University of Jerusalem's Institute of Archaeology recently carried out preliminary excavation at the ancient site of Hyrcania in the northern Judean Desert, coming at the heels of increased activity by antiquities loot.....»»
Fungus versus flies: Following a scent towards insecticide-free pest management
While a blueberry with a fungal infection might end up in most people's compost bin, for a team of researchers in the US, it has provided a key to tackling the unsustainable use of insecticides......»»
Mapping deadly oak wilt disease from space to protect our forests
As our climate rapidly changes, greater numbers of trees are dying from diseases like oak wilt. Oak wilt is a fungus that moves through the vascular system of oak trees causing rapid mortality. The disease can be stopped if foresters know where the d.....»»
Notorious fungus Aspergillus fumigatus completely scrambles its genome after just one bout of sex
Researchers at Wageningen University & Research (WUR) have found that Aspergillus fumigatus produces more meiotic crossovers than any other organism. This means that the fungus can establish its complex resistance mechanism after just one cycle of se.....»»
The secret life of brain worms
A neurosurgeon in Canberra removed a nematode that was living inside a person's brain in 2022......»»
These worms have rhythm: New imaging technique to observe active gene expression in real time
There's a rhythm to developing life. Growing from a tiny cell cluster into an adult organism takes precise timing and control. The right genes must turn on at the right time, for the right duration, and in the correct order. Losing the rhythm can lea.....»»
Contours that kill: Geometry influences prey capture in carnivorous pitcher plants
Researchers at the University of Oxford's Botanic Garden and the Mathematical Institute have shown that the shape, size, and geometry of carnivorous pitcher plants determines the type of prey they trap. The results have been published today in the Pr.....»»
How these parasitic worms turn brown shrimp into bright orange “zombies”
Infection activates gene expression for pigmentation, suppresses immune response. Enlarge / Orange amphipods caught the eye (and interest) of Brown University graduate students conducting field research. (credit: David Johnson).....»»
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.....»»
Titanium micro-spikes skewer resistant superbugs
A new study suggests rough surfaces inspired by the bacteria-killing spikes on insect wings may be more effective at combating drug-resistant superbugs, including fungus, than previously understood......»»
How a lethal fungus is shrinking living space for Australia"s frogs
In 1993, frogs were found dying en masse in Far North Queensland. When scientists analyzed their bodies, they found something weird. Their small bodies were covered in spores......»»
Fungal–plant symbiosis offers a promising tool to boost crop resilience
Researchers inoculated oilseed rape plants with a species of fungus that is known for its ability to combat pest insects. Utilizing the relationship between beneficial fungi and crop plants may introduce a new era of agriculture where the plant resil.....»»
Study identifies secret of stealthy invader essential to ruinous rice disease
The virulence of a rice-wrecking fungus—and deployment of ninja-like proteins that help it escape detection by muffling an immune system's alarm bells—relies on genetic decoding quirks that could prove central to stopping it, says research from t.....»»
Heat sensor protects the Venus flytrap from fire
The Venus flytrap can survive in the nutrient-poor swamps of North and South Carolina because it compensates for the lack of nitrogen, phosphate and minerals by catching and eating insects. It hunts with snap traps that have sensory hairs on them. If.....»»
Research sheds new light on York"s thriving medieval Jewish Community
Researchers have shed new light on York's medieval Jewish population, unearthing new documents and evidence which points to a thriving community where the chief Jewish citizens of the city were also some of the most important figures in England......»»