therapeutic action: Not applicable

Pest categorisation of Pestalotiopsis microspora

Pestalotiopsis microspora is a fungus that causes diseases on many cultivated and wild plants including avocado, banana, and kiwi fruit. It has been found in tropical and subtropical regions worldwide and was recently detected in the Netherlands. The fungus can enter the EU through infected plants, fruits, and contaminated soil from other countries. European scientists have determined it meets criteria to be classified as a quarantine pest requiring special phytosanitary measures to prevent its introduction.

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Isolation and characterization of marine microorganisms capable of degrading plastics

Scientists have discovered over 1,500 marine bacteria and fungi that can break down different types of plastic waste. By using optimized culturing methods, they isolated microorganisms capable of degrading common plastics like bottles, foam, and packaging materials. This research provides a foundation for developing biological solutions to address ocean plastic pollution through microbial-based technologies.

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Act1 out of Action: Identifying Reliable Reference Genes in Trichoderma reesei for Gene Expression Analysis

Scientists studying the fungus Trichoderma reesei, which is used industrially to produce enzymes, found that the reference genes commonly used to measure gene activity (act1 and sar1) are not as reliable as previously thought. By analyzing genetic data from multiple studies, they identified two better reference genes called bzp1 and tpc1 that maintain more consistent expression levels across different growth conditions. Using these better reference genes will help researchers more accurately measure how genes are expressed in this important industrial fungus.

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Snowball: a novel gene family required for developmental patterning of fruiting bodies of mushroom-forming fungi (Agaricomycetes)

Scientists discovered a new gene called snb1 that is critical for mushroom development. When this gene is removed, mushrooms grow into simple ball-shaped structures without the normal parts like caps and stems. By studying these abnormal mushrooms, researchers identified many other genes involved in proper mushroom formation. This discovery helps explain how mushrooms develop their complex structures from simple fungal networks.

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Channel quality predictions assisted by new algorithms for high throughput satellite and 5G systems

This research develops improved methods to predict how rainfall affects satellite and 5G communications in the United Arab Emirates. Scientists created three new computer algorithms that use actual rainfall measurements from six weather stations across the UAE to predict signal degradation more accurately than existing international standards. The study shows that during heavy rain, satellite systems must switch to simpler transmission methods to maintain reliable communication, and provides practical guidance for designing more robust satellite systems.

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MycelioTronics: Fungal mycelium skin for sustainable electronics

Researchers have developed a new type of electronic device substrate made from fungal mycelium, the thread-like root structure of mushrooms. This material is completely biodegradable and can be processed like traditional electronic materials to create flexible circuits and batteries. The mycelium-based devices can power wireless sensors and transmit data via Bluetooth, demonstrating that sustainable electronics can perform just as well as conventional ones while being composted at the end of their life.

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Removal of Ibuprofen in Water by Bioaugmentation with Labrys neptuniae CSW11 Isolated from Sewage Sludge—Assessment of Biodegradation Pathway Based on Metabolite Formation and Genomic Analysis

This study shows that a bacterium called Labrys neptuniae CSW11 can effectively remove ibuprofen from water, a common pharmaceutical that pollutes our environment. The bacteria works especially well when given glucose as extra food, removing ibuprofen completely within a week. However, the bacteria breaks ibuprofen down into toxic byproducts, so using it alongside other bacteria that can degrade these byproducts would make the treatment even more effective for cleaning contaminated wastewater.

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Mining logical circuits in fungi

Researchers successfully embedded computing circuits into living mushroom materials. By applying electrical signals to fungal mycelium composites, they discovered the fungi could perform complex logical operations similar to computer gates. This breakthrough suggests that future building materials made from fungi could incorporate computing capabilities, leading to intelligent, living structures that respond to their environment.

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Development of Leather-like Materials from Enzymatically Treated Green Kiwi Peel and Valorization of By-Products for Microbial Bioprocesses

This research shows how kiwi fruit peels, normally discarded as waste, can be transformed into leather-like materials through enzymatic treatment. The study found that treating the peels with commercial enzymes produced flexible, durable films with properties comparable to traditional leather, while the leftover liquid from the treatment process could be used to grow industrially useful yeast cultures. This integrated approach demonstrates how agro-food waste can be completely recycled into valuable products, supporting sustainable manufacturing practices.

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Multi-Organism Composites: Combined Growth Potential of Mycelium and Bacterial Cellulose

Scientists combined two biological materials—mycelium (fungal roots) and bacterial cellulose—to create new sustainable composites. Through a series of experiments, they found these organisms could grow together successfully when using knitted fabric as a scaffold. The main challenge was preventing mold contamination when both organisms were alive, but the resulting materials showed strong attachment and diverse functional possibilities. This research could lead to new eco-friendly materials for architecture and design.

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