fungal ecology – mycolab.ai

Fusarium spp. in Metalworking Fluid Systems: Companions Forever

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Researchers analyzed over 48,000 metalworking fluid samples from machines worldwide over 10 years and found that fungal contamination is very common, especially on machine surfaces. While companies add chemicals called fungicides to prevent fungal growth, these chemicals have limited effectiveness and fungi often survive or adapt to them. As regulations increasingly restrict these fungicides, the manufacturing industry will need to find new ways to prevent fungal contamination by changing the chemical composition of metalworking fluids themselves.

Mapping Histoplasma spp. in bats and cave ecosystems: evidence from midwestern Brazil

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Researchers studied caves in midwestern Brazil and found that a fungal pathogen called Histoplasma, which causes a serious lung disease called histoplasmosis, is present in cave environments and in bats. They developed a quick DNA test to detect this fungus in cave soil samples and bat tissue samples. The study identified specific caves with high levels of the fungus, which could help warn visitors and cave explorers about the risk of infection.

Beauveria felina Accelerates Growth When Competing With Other Potential Endophytes

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Scientists studied how Beauveria felina, a fungus used to control crop pests, grows when living alongside other fungi naturally found in plants. They discovered that instead of being inhibited by competitors, B. felina actually grew much faster when other fungi were present. In some cases, an inhibition zone formed between B. felina and one competitor fungus, suggesting they produce chemicals that affect each other’s growth. These findings suggest B. felina could be a good biocontrol agent, but researchers need to study longer-term effects before using it widely on farms.

A trait spectrum linking nitrogen acquisition and carbon use of ectomycorrhizal fungi

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Different types of ectomycorrhizal fungi have evolved distinct strategies for acquiring nutrients from soil and transferring them to trees. The study proposes that these fungi can be arranged on a spectrum from ‘absorbers’ that quickly grab available nutrients in fertile forests to ‘miners’ that slowly exploit tough organic matter in poor forests. This framework explains why the same fungus behaves differently depending on soil fertility and unifies seemingly contradictory observations about fungal responses to nutrient additions.

Diversity and Ecology of Fungi from Underexplored and Extreme Environments

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This research collection explores fungi living in extreme environments like salty lagoons, Arctic lakes, and polluted soils. Scientists discovered that many fungi have special abilities to survive harsh conditions and can even help clean up contaminated areas. The findings suggest that understanding these remarkable fungi could lead to new applications in environmental cleanup and sustainable agriculture. The research emphasizes the need to combine traditional laboratory methods with modern genetic techniques to fully understand fungal diversity.

A Model of the Current Geographic Distribution and Predictions of Future Range Shifts of Lentinula edodes in China Under Multiple Climate Change Scenarios

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Shiitake mushrooms (Lentinula edodes) are popular edible mushrooms found throughout China with high nutritional value including immune-boosting compounds. This study used computer modeling to map where these mushrooms currently grow and predict where they might be found as climate change continues. The research found that shiitake mushrooms will likely lose significant habitat area and shift northward and westward as temperatures rise and precipitation patterns change, suggesting urgent conservation measures are needed to protect wild populations.

Beauveria felina Accelerates Growth When Competing With Other Potential Endophytes

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Scientists studied how Beauveria felina, a fungus used to control crop pests, performs when competing with other fungi naturally found in plants. Surprisingly, B. felina grew faster when other fungi were present, suggesting it could be a robust biocontrol agent. However, researchers caution that introducing any new organism to plants requires careful study of how it affects the entire fungal community living in the plant.

Coexistence of Malassezia Species and Microsporum canis in the Lesions of Adult with Tinea Capitis

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A 60-year-old woman developed unusual hair loss and rash on her scalp that looked like dandruff. Tests revealed three types of fungi, including Microsporum canis (usually found in animals) and two types of Malassezia yeast. Treatment with antifungal medications for three months cleared the infection. Laboratory experiments showed that the yeast species may actually help the fungus grow better, which could explain why adults sometimes get scalp fungal infections differently than children.

Diversity of fungi attached to birds corresponds to the habitat ecologies of their avian dispersal vectors

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Researchers found that birds carry hundreds of different types of fungi on their feathers and feet, with different bird species carrying different fungal communities based on where they live and what they eat. European robins living in deciduous forests and gardens carried different fungi than goldcrests living in conifer forests, suggesting birds pick up fungi from their specific habitats. This study shows that migrating birds may be important for spreading fungi across long distances, potentially including plant diseases and lichens that don’t spread well by wind.

MSB2-activated pheromone pathway regulates fungal plasma membrane integrity in response to herbicide adjuvant

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Commercial herbicides used in farming contain additives that can harm beneficial soil fungi more than the main active ingredient. This study shows that the additive Triton CG-110 in Roundup herbicide damages fungal cells by disrupting their ability to absorb nutrients. Fungi respond by activating a stress response pathway that helps them survive by reinforcing their cell membranes. Understanding these processes is important for protecting beneficial fungi used in agriculture.

Research Keyword: fungal ecology