Fungi are a diverse kingdom of organisms distinct from plants, animals, and bacteria, playing critical roles in ecosystems as decomposers, pathogens, and symbionts. These organisms include yeasts, molds, and mushrooms. Fungi are characterized by their cell walls made of chitin, their method of obtaining nutrients through absorption, and their reproduction through spores. They thrive in a wide variety of environments, from soil and dead matter to living tissue and extreme habitats. Fungi are pivotal in nutrient cycling as they break down complex organic materials, releasing and redistributing essential elements to other organisms. Some fungi form symbiotic relationships, such as mycorrhizae with plant roots, enhancing nutrient absorption. However, they can also be pathogens, causing diseases in plants and animals, including humans. Additionally, fungi have significant applications in biotechnology, food production (e.g., cheese, bread, beer), and pharmaceuticals, including the production of antibiotics like penicillin.
Fungi and lichens threaten Negev Desert’s petroglyphs, eroding ancient artworks through chemical and mechanical means. Southern Israel’s Negev desert is famous for its ancient rock…
Researchers have developed a groundbreaking method using heat to combat chytridiomycosis in frogs. This simple strategy involves creating ‘hotspot’ shelters where frogs can elevate their…
Studies reveal Aspergillus flavus’s unique adaptations to thrive in the harsh conditions of bee hives, suggesting a potential symbiotic relationship with bees. Previous research efforts…
Climate change impacts tree migrations by disrupting essential symbiotic relationships with mycorrhizal fungi, necessary for nutrient exchange and survival in new habitats. As our planet…
University of North Carolina at Charlotte Assistant Professor of Bioinformatics Abigail Leavitt LaBella has co-led an ambitious research study — published in the prestigious journal…
Hacking the genome of fungi for smart foods of the future. With animal-free dairy products and convincing vegetarian meat substitutes already on the market, it’s…
Researchers at the University of Nottingham have found how to produce different colors of blue cheese. After discovering how the classic blue-green veining is created,…
Researchers have discovered the oldest multicellular eukaryotic fossils, dated at 1.63 billion years, in North China, revealing early complex life forms and suggesting an earlier…
Macau University researchers studied fungi behavior under hypergravity, revealing both the risks and potential benefits of fungi in space missions. Future studies will investigate other…
Researchers have found that the fungus Colletotrichum tofieldiae can both support and inhibit plant growth, depending on the activation of a specific gene cluster. This…
Biodegradation of plastic at low temperatures can save money and energy. Researchers have discovered microbial strains in the high altitudes of the Alps and in…
A study in the forest on Laccaria bicolor mushrooms, a type of ectomycorrhizal fungi, has revealed that these mushrooms generate fluctuating electrical signals after rainfall,…
Pancakes won’t turn you into a zombie as in HBO’s ‘The Last of Us,’ but fungi in flour have been making people sick for a…
University of Alberta expert challenges popular claims about the “wood-wide web.” The idea that forest trees can “talk” to each other, share resources with their…
It was once thought that green leaves and photosynthesis were essential for plants, however, some plants have evolved to obtain their nutrients from other organisms…
New scientific review analyzes what we know about how fungi disperse. When you say “fungi,” most people think of mushrooms, the fleshy fruiting bodies above…
New research examines why some fungi evolve psychedelic properties. Psychedelic compounds found in ‘magic mushrooms’ are increasingly being recognized for their potential to treat important…
Researchers shed new light on how plant life became established on the surface of the Earth Researchers from the University of Copenhagen have shed new…