The newly discovered plant Thismia malayana in Malaysia’s rainforests parasitizes fungi to survive in shaded…
Browsing: Fungi
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.
NASA is exploring the use of fungi to build habitats for missions to the Moon…
Fungi and lichens threaten Negev Desert’s petroglyphs, eroding ancient artworks through chemical and mechanical means.…
Researchers have developed a groundbreaking method using heat to combat chytridiomycosis in frogs. This simple…
Studies reveal Aspergillus flavus’s unique adaptations to thrive in the harsh conditions of bee hives,…
Climate change impacts tree migrations by disrupting essential symbiotic relationships with mycorrhizal fungi, necessary for…
University of North Carolina at Charlotte Assistant Professor of Bioinformatics Abigail Leavitt LaBella has co-led…
Hacking the genome of fungi for smart foods of the future. With animal-free dairy products…
Researchers at the University of Nottingham have found how to produce different colors of blue…
Researchers have discovered the oldest multicellular eukaryotic fossils, dated at 1.63 billion years, in North…
Macau University researchers studied fungi behavior under hypergravity, revealing both the risks and potential benefits…
Researchers have found that the fungus Colletotrichum tofieldiae can both support and inhibit plant growth,…
Biodegradation of plastic at low temperatures can save money and energy. Researchers have discovered microbial…
A study in the forest on Laccaria bicolor mushrooms, a type of ectomycorrhizal fungi, has…
Pancakes won’t turn you into a zombie as in HBO’s ‘The Last of Us,’ but…
University of Alberta expert challenges popular claims about the “wood-wide web.” The idea that forest…
It was once thought that green leaves and photosynthesis were essential for plants, however, some…
New scientific review analyzes what we know about how fungi disperse. When you say “fungi,”…