alpha diversity – Page 2

Fungal communities in Florida salt marsh mosquito midguts vary between species and over time but have low structure

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Researchers studied the fungi living in the guts of three types of Florida salt marsh mosquitoes. They found that all mosquitoes carried high amounts of a common environmental yeast called Rhodotorula lamellibrachiae. The type of mosquito species mattered more than the time of year for determining which fungi were present. Unlike bacterial communities in mosquitoes, the fungal communities appeared to assemble somewhat randomly rather than following organized patterns.

Identification of bacterial communities associated with needle mushroom (Flammulina filiformis) and its production environment

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Researchers studied the bacteria living in needle mushroom farms in China to understand which microbes help mushrooms grow well and which ones cause diseases. They found that farms in different regions have different bacterial communities, with some bacteria being beneficial while others cause rot and disease. By identifying these bacteria, the study provides information to help farmers grow healthier, safer mushrooms through better farming practices.

Seagrass Enhalus acoroides extract mitigates obesity and diabetes via GLP-1, PPARγ, SREBP-1c modulation and gut microbiome restoration in diabetic zebrafish

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Researchers tested a seagrass extract called Enhalus acoroides on diabetic zebrafish and found it effectively reduced body weight and blood sugar levels, performing as well or better than metformin, a common diabetes medication. The extract worked by activating genes that promote glucose metabolism and reducing genes that promote fat storage. Importantly, the extract also restored healthy gut bacteria balance, which appears to play a key role in its therapeutic effects. These findings suggest that seagrass could be developed into a natural supplement or functional food to help treat obesity and diabetes.

Human Activity Impacts on Macrofungal Diversity: A Case Study of Grazing in Subtropical Forests

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When goats graze in forests, they change the environment through trampling, eating plants, and leaving droppings. This study found that goat grazing actually increased the variety of mushrooms and fungi in three types of subtropical forests in China over two years. However, while there were more types of fungi overall, the special fungi unique to specific regions became less common, suggesting grazing makes fungal communities more similar across different areas.

High-Throughput Sequencing Uncovers Fungal Community Succession During Morchella sextelata Development

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Scientists studied how fungal communities in soil change as morel mushrooms grow through different stages. They found that while beneficial fungi that break down organic matter are always present, dangerous disease-causing fungi increase significantly during the fruiting stage when mushrooms are ready to harvest. Understanding these changes helps farmers better manage soil and prevent diseases to get better harvests.

Mushroom stem-based diets elicit region-specific shifts in rainbow trout gut microbiota

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Researchers tested whether mushroom stem waste products could be used as sustainable fish feed ingredients. When juvenile rainbow trout were fed diets containing 30% mushroom stems from three different species, their gut bacteria changed in beneficial ways without harming the intestinal lining. Different parts of the gut showed different bacterial responses, with the most beneficial effects being increased growth of helpful bacteria like Mycoplasma and Legionella. This research suggests mushroom processing byproducts could improve aquaculture sustainability while supporting fish health.

Airborne Fungal Spore Diversity Assessment Using Culture-Dependent and Metabarcoding Approaches in Bat-Inhabited Natural and Anthropogenic Roosts in Portugal

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Researchers studied fungal diversity in bat caves across Portugal using two methods: growing fungi in labs and analyzing DNA from air samples. They found over 280 different types of fungi, with some being common decomposers and others potentially harmful to human health. The study revealed that bat activity and human visits significantly influence which fungi live in caves, highlighting the importance of protecting these unique underground ecosystems.

The contribution of tropical long-term studies to mycology

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Scientists have long known less about fungi in tropical regions compared to temperate areas. This paper highlights how studying the same fungal communities over many years in tropical locations like Guyana reveals important discoveries about fungal diversity, including new species and unique ecological relationships. The authors show that public scientific databases contain far fewer fungal records from tropical regions than non-tropical ones, suggesting we may be missing crucial information about fungal biodiversity and how to protect it.

Mycobiome analyses of critically ill COVID-19 patients

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This study examined fungal infections in severely ill COVID-19 patients treated in intensive care units across Europe. Researchers found that a dangerous mold called Aspergillus fumigatus was more common in patients who died and less common in those treated with azole antifungal drugs. The findings suggest that giving antifungal medications to critically ill COVID-19 patients when they arrive at the hospital might help prevent fungal-related deaths.

Mushroom stem-based diets elicit region-specific shifts in rainbow trout gut microbiota

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Researchers fed rainbow trout different diets containing mushroom stem waste from grocery stores for six weeks and studied how the mushroom ingredients affected the fish’s gut bacteria. They found that mushroom diets promoted beneficial bacteria in different parts of the fish’s intestine without harming the fish. This research shows that mushroom waste can be recycled into healthy fish feed while supporting the fish’s digestive health and supporting a more circular food system.

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