Sex Life of Killer Fungus Finally Revealed

piggy submitted, created time 1 month 6 days (www.sciencedaily.com)

Biologists at The University of Nottingham and University College Dublin have announced a major breakthrough in our understanding of the sex life of a microscopic fungus which is a major cause of death in immune deficient patients and also a cause of severe asthma.

The discovery of a sexual cycle in the fungal pathogen Aspergillus fumigatus is highly significant in understanding the biology and evolution of the species and will shed new light on its ability to adapt to new environments and its resistance to antifungal drugs

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Worm-eating fungus trapped in amber

Fungus genome yielding answers to protect grains, people and animals

franklin submitted, created time 1 year 2 months (news.uns.purdue.edu)

Why a pathogen is a pathogen may be answered as scientists study the recently mapped genetic makeup of a fungus that spawns the worst cereal grains disease known and also can produce toxins potentially fatal to people and livestock.

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Evidence that RNA silencing functions as an antiviral defense mechanism in fungi

sumsung submitted, created time 1 year 5 months (www.pnas.org)

The role of RNA silencing as an antiviral defense mechanism in fungi was examined by testing the effect of dicer gene disruptions on mycovirus infection of the chestnut blight fungus Cryphonectria parasitica.

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Symbiotic bacteria may save endangered frogs

Darkfrog submitted, created time 1 year 8 months (www.nature.com)

I'm a bit leery of introducing one species to control another -- in this case, probiotic bacteria to kill a fungus that's killing off several amphibian species -- but if the frogs are on the brink of extinction, it might be worth the risk.

What do you think? The stakes are high. Just think of the damage the bacteria could do if something goes wrong. This is a genie-out-of-the-bottle trick. Nothing's going back in.

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Do you know Ivory Coast tackles cocoa fungus linked to cancer ?

humane-wolf submitted, created time 1 year 11 months (www.sciam.com)

Top cocoa grower Ivory Coast is trying to reduce levels of a cancer-causing toxin secreted on beans by a tropical fungus, to meet contamination limits being considered by the European Union.

A high intake of Ochratoxin A, more often through consumption of contaminated cereal products than of chocolate, can cause kidney damage and has been linked to liver and kidney cancer as well as weakening of the human immune system.

The country's cocoa was not seriously affected but farmers should nevertheless be taught improved harvesting and processing techniques to reduce levels of the toxin.

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Wheat fungus spreads out of Africa

penguin2 submitted, created time 1 year 11 months (www.nature.com)

A strain of fungus that threatens most of the world's wheat crop has spread from its origin in Africa, across the Red Sea to Yemen. Prevailing winds will probably start moving the fungus spores eastwards. What do the scientists say about this potential disaster and possible countermeasure?

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