Research Keyword: fungal identification

Identification and Biological Characteristics of Alternaria gossypina as a Promising Biocontrol Agent for the Control of Mikania micrantha

Scientists discovered that a fungus called Alternaria gossypina can effectively kill an invasive weed called Mikania micrantha that threatens ecosystems worldwide. Through laboratory testing, they identified optimal conditions for growing this fungus and confirmed it can infect and damage the weed’s leaves. This discovery offers a promising natural and environmentally-friendly alternative to chemical herbicides for controlling this problematic invasive plant species.

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Utility of MALDI-ToF MS for Recognition and Antifungal Susceptibility of Nannizzia, an Underestimated Group of Dermatophytes

Nannizzia species are soil-dwelling fungi that increasingly cause stubborn skin, nail, and hair infections in humans and animals. This study tested two laboratory methods for identifying these fungi and measured their sensitivity to eight antifungal drugs. The faster liquid-based method was slightly more accurate (67%) than the traditional culture method (62%), though neither method could identify six very rare species. Terbinafine emerged as the most effective antifungal treatment in laboratory tests.

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Myco-Ed: Mycological curriculum for education and discovery

Myco-Ed is an educational program that teaches students about fungi while helping scientists discover new fungal species. Students collect fungi from their environment, learn laboratory and computing skills, and send samples to be sequenced to create reference genomes. This program both trains the next generation of fungal experts and expands our understanding of fungal diversity, which is important for medicine, agriculture, and the environment.

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The subfamily Chalciporoideae (Boletaceae, Boletales) in China

Scientists studied a special group of fungi called Chalciporoideae that are found in China. They examined specimens using microscopes and DNA analysis to identify different species. The research discovered four previously unknown species and provided detailed descriptions of 16 species total found in China. These fungi are interesting because some can be eaten and used for different purposes.

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