Researchers grow high-potency medicinal “zombie fungus” in the lab

You might know the Cordyceps mushroom as the “zombie fungus” – for good reason. Its name is derived from Greek and Latin, meaning “club head,” and many nature documentaries have focused on its chilling ability to infect certain insects, most famously a… Continue reading Researchers grow high-potency medicinal “zombie fungus” in the lab

Cavity-causing microbe “superorganisms” grow limbs to leap across teeth

If you needed more motivation to brush your teeth regularly, this could do the trick. Scientists have discovered that cavity-causing bacteria and fungi in saliva can team up to form “superorganisms” that can actually sprout limbs to crawl and even leap… Continue reading Cavity-causing microbe “superorganisms” grow limbs to leap across teeth

Discovery of cancer’s fungal fingerprint could predict disease outcomes

A pair of newly published studies have reported novel links between fungal microorganisms and cancer. The research reports different types of tumors seem to harbor unique fungal populations, raising the possibility of new ways to diagnose and treat can… Continue reading Discovery of cancer’s fungal fingerprint could predict disease outcomes

Fungus fools male houseflies into mating with corpses of dead females

In truly creep news, a team of scientists has announced that a known fungus causes male flies to mate with the bodies of dead females. The strategy helps ensure the survival of the fungus, as it spreads from the females to the males.Continue ReadingCat… Continue reading Fungus fools male houseflies into mating with corpses of dead females

Mobile system treats crop seeds using electrons instead of fungicides

Because seeds may contain yield-reducing fungi, bacteria or viruses, they’re often chemically treated before they’re sold to farmers. A new mobile system, however, substitutes microbe-killing electrons for harsh and eco-unfriendly chemicals.Continue Re… Continue reading Mobile system treats crop seeds using electrons instead of fungicides

Antibiotic overuse linked to immune defects and bowel disease

Two new studies have highlighted the importance of judicious antibiotic use. One study found antibiotics can increase a person’s risk of fungal infections by causing defects to immune system activity in the gut, while another study suggests heavy antib… Continue reading Antibiotic overuse linked to immune defects and bowel disease

“Living” water filter outperforms its commercial equivalent

While certain types of filtration media are great at removing pathogens from water, they do clog up over time, slowing their rate of filtration. According to new research, a solution to the problem may lie in the use of “living filtration membranes.”Co… Continue reading “Living” water filter outperforms its commercial equivalent

Fungus-made protein may be an eco-friendly alternative to egg whites

Egg white powder is a very widely used food ingredient, which means that a lot of hens have to be raised on a lot of farms, consuming a lot of feed and producing a lot of waste. There may soon be a greener alternative, however, thanks to a fungus which… Continue reading Fungus-made protein may be an eco-friendly alternative to egg whites

Fungus-made protein may be an eco-friendly alternative to egg whites

Egg white powder is a very widely used food ingredient, which means that a lot of hens have to be raised on a lot of farms, consuming a lot of feed and producing a lot of waste. There may soon be a greener alternative, however, thanks to a fungus which… Continue reading Fungus-made protein may be an eco-friendly alternative to egg whites

Himalayan fungus compound refined to offer 40X the anti-cancer potency

By using a compound derived from a Himalayan fungus and used for centuries in Chinese medicine as a jumping off point, scientists have developed a new chemotherapy drug with powerful anti-cancer effects. Doing so involved chemically altering the compou… Continue reading Himalayan fungus compound refined to offer 40X the anti-cancer potency