Fungus is spreading to blueberries around the globe

A new study pinpoints the worldwide spread of a fungus that taints blueberry plants with powdery mildew.

Mick Kulikowski-NC State • futurity
Jan. 21, 2025 ~6 min

Lightning strikes make collecting a parasitic fungus prized in traditional Chinese medicine a deadly pursuit

The parasitic fungus sometimes called ‘Himalayan gold’ can provide a good living to villagers who collect it. But rugged terrain and a high risk of lightning strikes make it a dangerous option.

Daile Zhang, Assistant Professor of Atmospheric Sciences, University of North Dakota • conversation
Jan. 14, 2025 ~8 min


Fungal infections known as valley fever could spike this fall - 3 epidemiologists explain how to protect yourself

Cases of valley fever are typically most prevalent in California’s Central Valley and southern Arizona, but they have been increasing in California’s central and southern coastal areas.

Simon Camponuri, PhD Candidate in Environmental Health Sciences, University of California, Berkeley • conversation
Sept. 26, 2024 ~10 min

Banana apocalypse, part 2 – a genomicist explains the tricky genetics of the fungus devastating bananas worldwide

Fusarium oxysporum can infect over 120 plant species. Whether it destroys Cavendish bananas as it did their predecessor depends on the agricultural industry and consumers.

Li-Jun Ma, Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, UMass Amherst • conversation
Aug. 16, 2024 ~6 min

Bats in Colorado face fight against deadly fungus that causes white-nose syndrome

Numerous bats have been found in Colorado with white-nose syndrome. The fungus has killed millions of bats in North America, leaving biologists concerned about its impact on bats in the state.

Tanya Dewey, Assistant Professor, Biology, Colorado State University • conversation
May 17, 2024 ~10 min

What is dirt? There’s a whole wriggling world alive in the ground beneath our feet, as a soil scientist explains

Rock dust is only part of the story of soil. Living creatures, many of them too tiny to see, keep that soil healthy for growing everything from food to forests.

Brian Darby, Associate Professor of Biology, University of North Dakota • conversation
March 25, 2024 ~7 min

River pollution is causing harmful outbreaks of sewage fungus in the UK

Sewage fungus is actually not a fungus. Our expert explains what it is, where it lives and what can be done to reduce outbreaks in polluted rivers.

Dania Albini, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Aquatic Ecology, University of Exeter • conversation
March 4, 2024 ~6 min

Cannabis products may harbor fungal toxins harmful to human health, but regulations are uneven or nonexistent

Hemp flowers and certain cannabis products contain fungal toxins, including Aspergillus and Fusarium, that can exceed acceptable regulatory levels.

Kimberly D. Gwinn, Professor of Entomology and Plant Pathology, University of Tennessee • conversation
Jan. 10, 2024 ~6 min


Fungi show promise against microplastics in water

A new study identifies a potential way to remove microplastics from water: fungal pelletization.

Paul Schattenberg-Texas A&M • futurity
Sept. 13, 2023 ~7 min

Drilling down on treatment-resistant fungi with molecular machines

Fungal infections can be among the hardest to treat, and since the pandemic began they’ve become only more common. To prevent future antifungal resistance, scientists have developed tiny molecular drills.

James Tour, Professor of Chemistry, Rice University • conversation
May 26, 2023 ~9 min

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