https://www.sciencedaily.com/news/plants_animals/fungus/ All about the fungus kingdom. From beneficial soil fungus to fungal infections, read the current research news on fungus here. en-us Fri, 10 Apr 2026 10:35:30 EDT Fri, 10 Apr 2026 10:35:30 EDT 60 https://www.sciencedaily.com/images/scidaily-logo-rss.png https://www.sciencedaily.com/news/plants_animals/fungus/ For more science news, visit ScienceDaily. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/04/260407193911.htm A new international study is shaking up how we think about elite sprinting, arguing there’s no single “perfect” running style behind the world’s fastest athletes. Instead, speed emerges from a complex mix of an individual’s body, coordination, strength, and training—meaning every top sprinter moves differently. Using examples like rising Australian star Gout Gout, researchers show that unique physical traits can produce world-class speed without copying anyone else’s technique. Wed, 08 Apr 2026 09:17:58 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/04/260407193911.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/04/260406192917.htm Earth may have won a cosmic chemistry lottery. Researchers found that during the planet’s earliest formation, oxygen had to be in an extremely narrow “Goldilocks zone” for two life-essential elements, phosphorus and nitrogen, to stay where life could use them. Too much or too little oxygen, and those ingredients could be lost or trapped deep inside the planet. This could reshape the search for life by showing that water alone is not enough. Mon, 06 Apr 2026 23:36:59 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/04/260406192917.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/03/260327000518.htm Scientists have developed a breakthrough “superfood” for honeybees by engineering yeast to produce the essential nutrients normally found in pollen. In controlled trials, colonies fed this specially designed diet produced up to 15 times more young, showing a dramatic boost in reproduction and overall health. As climate change and modern agriculture reduce the availability of natural pollen, this innovation could offer a practical way to support struggling bee populations. Fri, 27 Mar 2026 00:17:49 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/03/260327000518.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/03/260312020101.htm Scientists have grown chickpeas in simulated moon soil, offering a promising step toward farming on the lunar surface. Researchers mixed moon-like regolith with worm-produced compost and helpful fungi that protect plants from toxic metals. The combination allowed chickpeas to grow and produce a harvest in soil that normally cannot support plant life. Scientists now need to confirm the crops are safe and nutritious for astronauts. Thu, 12 Mar 2026 06:56:39 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/03/260312020101.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/03/260309183211.htm Researchers have created a method called optovolution that uses light to guide the evolution of proteins with dynamic behaviors. By engineering yeast cells so their survival depended on proteins switching states at the right time, scientists could rapidly select the best-performing variants. The technique produced new light-sensitive proteins that respond to different colors and improved optogenetic systems. It even evolved a protein that behaves like a tiny logic gate, activating genes only when two signals are present. Mon, 09 Mar 2026 19:05:48 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/03/260309183211.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/03/260308201606.htm Scientists have uncovered how brewer’s yeast developed its unusually tiny centromeres, the DNA regions that guide chromosome separation during cell division. By studying related yeast species, researchers found centromeres that appear to represent evolutionary halfway points. These structures seem to have formed from retrotransposons—mobile “jumping genes” in the genome. The discovery shows how DNA once considered genomic junk can be transformed into essential chromosome machinery. Tue, 10 Mar 2026 00:30:58 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/03/260308201606.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/03/260305223223.htm Scientists have discovered a newly identified marine fungus that can infect and kill toxic algae responsible for harmful blooms. The microscopic parasite, named Algophthora mediterranea, attacks algae such as Ostreopsis cf. ovata, which produces toxins that can irritate the lungs, skin, and eyes of people exposed during coastal blooms. Remarkably, the fungus can infect several different algae species and even survive on pollen, suggesting it is far more adaptable than most known marine parasites. Fri, 06 Mar 2026 18:37:54 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/03/260305223223.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/03/260302030650.htm Even in the ultra-dry Atacama Desert, tiny soil-dwelling nematodes are thriving in surprising diversity. Scientists found that biodiversity increases with moisture and altitude shapes which species survive. In the most extreme zones, many nematodes reproduce asexually — a possible survival advantage. The discovery suggests that life in arid regions may be far richer, and more fragile, than once believed. Mon, 02 Mar 2026 10:49:03 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/03/260302030650.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/02/260227061824.htm For decades, scientists believed a fertilized egg’s DNA began as a shapeless mass, only organizing itself once the embryo switched on its genes. But new research reveals that the genome is already carefully arranged in three dimensions long before that critical activation step, known as Zygotic Genome Activation. Using a powerful new method called Pico-C, researchers captured this hidden DNA architecture in unprecedented detail, showing that a complex scaffold is built early to control which genes will later turn on. Fri, 27 Feb 2026 06:18:24 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/02/260227061824.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/02/260218031609.htm Life on Earth may have learned to breathe oxygen long before oxygen filled the skies. MIT researchers traced a key oxygen-processing enzyme back hundreds of millions of years before the Great Oxidation Event. Early microbes living near oxygen-producing cyanobacteria may have quickly used up the gas as it formed, slowing its rise in the atmosphere. The results suggest life was adapting to oxygen far earlier — and far more creatively — than once thought. Wed, 18 Feb 2026 03:50:31 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/02/260218031609.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/02/260208233821.htm Baker’s yeast isn’t just useful in the kitchen — it may also be built for space. Researchers found that yeast cells can survive intense shock waves and toxic chemicals similar to those on Mars. The cells protect themselves by forming special stress-response structures that help them endure extreme conditions. This resilience could make yeast a powerful model for astrobiology and future space missions. Sun, 08 Feb 2026 23:38:21 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/02/260208233821.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260124073929.htm Locust swarms can wipe out crops across entire regions, threatening food supplies and livelihoods. Now, scientists working with farmers in Senegal have shown that improving soil health can dramatically reduce locust damage. By enriching soil with nitrogen, crops become less appealing to the insects, leading to fewer locusts, less plant damage, and harvests that doubled in size. Sat, 24 Jan 2026 08:08:59 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260124073929.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260121034132.htm The microbes living in sourdough starters don’t just appear by chance—they’re shaped by what bakers feed them. New research shows that while the same hardy yeast tends to dominate sourdough starters regardless of flour type, the bacteria tell a more complex story. Different flours—like whole wheat or bread flour—encourage different bacterial communities, which can subtly influence flavor, texture, and fermentation. Wed, 21 Jan 2026 11:57:54 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260121034132.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260118233555.htm A deadly fungus that has wiped out hundreds of amphibian species worldwide may have started its global journey in Brazil. Genetic evidence and trade data suggest the fungus hitchhiked across the world via international frog meat markets. The findings raise urgent concerns about how wildlife trade can spread hidden biological threats. Mon, 19 Jan 2026 06:40:08 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260118233555.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260115220612.htm New research shows tropical forests can recover twice as fast after deforestation when their soils contain enough nitrogen. Scientists followed forest regrowth across Central America for decades and found that nitrogen plays a decisive role in how quickly trees return. Faster regrowth also means more carbon captured from the atmosphere. The study points to smarter reforestation strategies that work with nature rather than relying on fertilizers. Thu, 15 Jan 2026 22:31:47 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260115220612.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260107225541.htm DNA doesn’t just sit still inside our cells — it folds, loops, and rearranges in ways that shape how genes behave. Researchers have now mapped this hidden architecture in unprecedented detail, showing how genome structure changes from cell to cell and over time. These insights reveal why many disease-linked mutations outside genes can still cause harm. The findings could speed up the discovery of genetic risks and inspire new ways to target diseases. Thu, 08 Jan 2026 21:16:11 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260107225541.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260104202809.htm CO2 can stimulate plant growth, but only when enough nitrogen is available—and that key ingredient has been seriously miscalculated. A new study finds that natural nitrogen fixation has been overestimated by about 50 percent in major climate models. This means the climate-cooling benefits of plant growth under high CO2 are smaller than expected. The result: a reduced buffer against climate change and more uncertainty in future projections. Mon, 05 Jan 2026 04:46:45 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260104202809.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260101160851.htm Spruce bark beetles don’t just tolerate their host tree’s chemical defenses—they actively reshape them into stronger antifungal protections. These stolen defenses help shield the beetles from infection, but one fungus has evolved a way to neutralize them. By detoxifying the beetles’ chemical armor, the fungus can successfully invade and kill its host. The discovery sheds light on an unseen forest arms race and may improve biological pest control. Thu, 01 Jan 2026 16:08:51 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260101160851.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251224032359.htm A major evolutionary theory says most genetic changes don’t really matter, but new evidence suggests that’s not true. Researchers found that helpful mutations happen surprisingly often. The twist is that changing environments prevent these mutations from spreading widely before they become useless or harmful. Evolution, it turns out, is less about reaching perfection and more about endlessly chasing a moving target. Wed, 24 Dec 2025 03:23:59 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251224032359.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251219093325.htm Old military air samples turned out to be a treasure trove of biological DNA, allowing scientists to track moss spores over 35 years. The results show mosses now release spores up to a month earlier than in the 1990s. Even more surprising, the timing depends more on last year’s climate than current spring conditions. It’s a striking example of how fast ecosystems are adjusting to a warming world. Sun, 21 Dec 2025 01:10:14 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251219093325.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251210092024.htm Researchers have uncovered surprising evidence that the deep ocean’s carbon-fixing engine works very differently than long assumed. While ammonia-oxidizing archaea were thought to dominate carbon fixation in the sunless depths, experiments show that other microbes—especially heterotrophs—are doing far more of the work than expected. This discovery reshapes our understanding of how carbon moves through the deep ocean and stabilizes Earth’s climate. Wed, 10 Dec 2025 11:23:29 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251210092024.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251209043038.htm Scientists discovered a small protein region that determines whether plants reject or welcome nitrogen-fixing bacteria. By tweaking only two amino acids, they converted a defensive receptor into one that supports symbiosis. Early success in barley hints that cereals may eventually be engineered to fix nitrogen on their own. Such crops could dramatically reduce fertilizer use and emissions. Tue, 09 Dec 2025 10:39:24 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251209043038.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251130205503.htm Dolichospermum, a type of cyanobacteria thriving in Lake Erie’s warming waters, has been identified as the surprising culprit behind the lake’s dangerous saxitoxins—some of the most potent natural neurotoxins known. Using advanced genome sequencing, researchers uncovered that only certain strains produce the toxin, and that warmer temperatures and low ammonium levels may tip the ecological balance in their favor. Tue, 02 Dec 2025 02:18:04 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251130205503.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251128050512.htm Researchers have finally assigned a strange 3.4-million-year-old foot to Australopithecus deyiremeda, confirming that Lucy’s species wasn’t alone in ancient Ethiopia. This hominin had an opposable big toe for climbing but still walked upright in a distinct style. Isotope tests show it ate different foods from A. afarensis, revealing clear ecological separation. These insights help explain how multiple early human species co-existed without wiping each other out. Fri, 28 Nov 2025 09:48:15 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251128050512.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251124231900.htm Moss spores survived an extended stay on the outside of the ISS and remained capable of germinating once back on Earth. Their resilience to vacuum, extreme temperatures, and UV radiation surprised the researchers who expected them to perish. The spores' natural protective coat likely played a key role in shielding them. The study hints at the potential for simple plants to support agriculture beyond our planet. Mon, 24 Nov 2025 23:27:16 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251124231900.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251123115435.htm UC Davis researchers engineered wheat that encourages soil bacteria to convert atmospheric nitrogen into plant-usable fertilizer. By boosting a natural compound in the plant, the wheat triggers bacteria to form biofilms that enable nitrogen fixation. This breakthrough could cut fertilizer use, reduce pollution, and increase yields. It also offers huge potential savings for farmers worldwide. Mon, 24 Nov 2025 05:00:24 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251123115435.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251121082049.htm Scientists used CRISPR to boost the efficiency and digestibility of a fungus already known for its meatlike qualities. The modified strain grows protein far more quickly and with much less sugar while producing substantially fewer emissions. It also outperforms chicken farming in land use and water impact. Fri, 21 Nov 2025 08:57:41 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251121082049.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251118220054.htm Massive Sargassum blooms sweeping across the Caribbean and Atlantic are fueled by a powerful nutrient partnership: phosphorus pulled to the surface by equatorial upwelling and nitrogen supplied by cyanobacteria living directly on the drifting algae. Coral cores reveal that this nutrient engine has intensified over the past decade, perfectly matching surges in Sargassum growth since 2011. By ruling out older theories involving Saharan dust and river runoff, researchers uncovered a climate-driven process that shapes when and where these colossal seaweed mats form. Wed, 19 Nov 2025 03:56:56 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251118220054.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251104094136.htm Researchers have, for the first time, estimated how quickly E. coli bacteria can spread between people — and one strain moves as fast as swine flu. Using genomic data from the UK and Norway, scientists modeled bacterial transmission rates and discovered key differences between strains. Their work offers a new way to monitor and control antibiotic-resistant bacteria in both communities and hospitals. Tue, 04 Nov 2025 23:25:35 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251104094136.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251102205006.htm On the Canary Islands, scientists discovered that the spider Dysdera tilosensis has halved its genome size in just a few million years—defying traditional evolutionary theories that predict larger, more repetitive genomes in island species. This unexpected downsizing, revealed through advanced genomic sequencing, shows that despite its smaller DNA, the island spider is genetically more diverse than its continental relatives. Sun, 02 Nov 2025 21:48:10 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251102205006.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251101000348.htm Researchers discovered that soil microbes in Kansas carry drought “memories” that affect how plants grow and survive. Native plants showed stronger responses to these microbial legacies than crops like corn, hinting at co-evolution over time. Genetic analysis revealed a key gene tied to drought tolerance, potentially guiding biotech efforts to enhance crop resilience. The work connects ecology, genetics, and agriculture in a novel way. Sun, 02 Nov 2025 00:47:40 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251101000348.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251027224841.htm Fungi’s evolutionary roots stretch far deeper than once believed — up to 1.4 billion years ago, long before plants or animals appeared. Using advanced molecular dating and gene transfer analysis, researchers reconstructed fungi’s ancient lineage, revealing they were crucial in shaping Earth’s first soils and ecosystems. Tue, 28 Oct 2025 12:11:34 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251027224841.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251026021737.htm A team of researchers has developed a floral-scented fungus that tricks mosquitoes into approaching and dying. The fungus emits longifolene, a natural scent that irresistibly draws them in. It’s harmless to humans, inexpensive to produce, and remains potent for months. This innovative biological control could be crucial as mosquitoes spread with climate change. Mon, 27 Oct 2025 00:32:43 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251026021737.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251026021724.htm Scientists have found that mushrooms can act as organic memory devices, mimicking neural activity while consuming minimal power. The Ohio State team grew and trained shiitake fungi to perform like computer chips, capable of switching between electrical states thousands of times per second. These fungal circuits are biodegradable and low-cost, opening the door to sustainable, brain-like computing. Sun, 26 Oct 2025 10:59:48 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251026021724.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251023031621.htm MIT researchers discovered that the genome’s 3D structure doesn’t vanish during cell division as previously thought. Instead, tiny loops called microcompartments remain (and even strengthen) while chromosomes condense. These loops may explain the brief surge of gene activity that occurs during mitosis. The finding redefines how scientists understand the balance between structure and function in dividing cells. Fri, 24 Oct 2025 03:08:39 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251023031621.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251008030934.htm Kobe University researchers found that orchids rely on wood-decaying fungi to germinate, feeding on the carbon from rotting logs. Their seedlings only grow near deadwood, forming precise fungal partnerships that mirror those seen in adult orchids with coral-like roots. This discovery highlights a hidden carbon pathway in forest ecosystems and explains the evolution of fully fungus-dependent orchid species. Wed, 08 Oct 2025 03:09:34 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251008030934.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251001092208.htm Fungi may have shaped Earth’s landscapes long before plants appeared. By combining rare gene transfers with fossil evidence, researchers have traced fungal origins back nearly a billion years earlier than expected. These ancient fungi may have partnered with algae, recycling nutrients, breaking down rock, and creating primitive soils. Far from being silent background players, fungi were ecosystem engineers that prepared Earth’s surface for plants, fundamentally altering the course of life’s history. Wed, 01 Oct 2025 10:53:40 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251001092208.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/09/250928095627.htm Human fertility hinges on a delicate molecular ballet that begins even before birth. UC Davis researchers have uncovered how special protein networks safeguard chromosomes as eggs and sperm form, ensuring genetic stability across generations. Using yeast as a model, they revealed how crossovers between chromosomes are protected for decades in female eggs, preventing errors that could lead to infertility, miscarriage, or conditions like Down syndrome. Sun, 28 Sep 2025 22:37:58 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/09/250928095627.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/09/250926035054.htm Scientists reclassified a long-misunderstood fossil from Brazil as a new genus, Franscinella riograndensis. Using advanced microscopy, they discovered spores preserved in situ—a rare find that links fossil plants to microfossil records. The breakthrough reshapes knowledge of Permian ecosystems and highlights the power of revisiting classic fossils with new tools. Sat, 27 Sep 2025 02:58:01 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/09/250926035054.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/09/250924012230.htm Rice, a staple for billions, is one of the most resource-hungry crops on the planet—but scientists may have found a way to change that. By applying nanoscale selenium directly to rice plants, researchers dramatically improved nitrogen efficiency, boosted yields, and made grains more nutritious while reducing fertilizer use and cutting greenhouse gas emissions. Wed, 24 Sep 2025 01:22:30 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/09/250924012230.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/09/250924012226.htm Researchers found that magic mushrooms and fiber caps independently evolved different biochemical pathways to create psilocybin. This convergence shows nature’s ingenuity, but the reason why remains unknown—possibly predator deterrence. Beyond evolutionary mystery, the discovery provides new enzyme tools for biotech, with promising applications for producing psilocybin-based medicines. Wed, 24 Sep 2025 08:40:32 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/09/250924012226.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/09/250921090857.htm More than a century after its discovery, a mysterious fossil from South Wales has finally been confirmed as belonging to a new species of predatory dinosaur. Using cutting-edge digital scanning, researchers reconstructed the long-lost jawbone, revealing unique features that warranted a new name: Newtonsaurus. Mon, 22 Sep 2025 02:19:01 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/09/250921090857.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/09/250916221823.htm Heating alone won’t drive soil microbes to release more carbon dioxide — they need added carbon and nutrients to thrive. This finding challenges assumptions about how climate warming influences soil emissions. Wed, 17 Sep 2025 02:08:51 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/09/250916221823.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/09/250908175430.htm Tiny diatoms and their bacterial partners act as nature’s nutrient factories, fueling insects and salmon in California’s Eel River. Their pollution-free process could inspire breakthroughs in sustainable farming and energy. Mon, 08 Sep 2025 18:26:15 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/09/250908175430.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/08/250822073807.htm Scientists have developed a breakthrough food supplement that could help save honeybees from devastating declines. By engineering yeast to produce six essential sterols found in pollen, researchers provided bees with a nutritionally complete diet that boosted reproduction up to 15-fold. Unlike commercial substitutes that lack key nutrients, this supplement mimics natural pollen’s sterol profile, giving bees the equivalent of a balanced diet. Fri, 22 Aug 2025 07:38:07 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/08/250822073807.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/08/250820000749.htm Two independent research teams have unveiled near-complete reference genomes of the central bearded dragon, a reptile with the rare ability to change sex depending on both chromosomes and nest temperature. Using next-generation sequencing technologies from China and Australia, the projects uncovered the long-sought genetic basis of sex determination in this lizard. Wed, 20 Aug 2025 04:07:36 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/08/250820000749.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250717013901.htm Dogs trained by everyday pet owners are proving to be surprisingly powerful allies in the fight against the invasive spotted lanternfly. In a groundbreaking study, citizen scientists taught their dogs to sniff out the pests’ hard-to-spot egg masses with impressive accuracy. The initiative not only taps into the huge community of recreational scent-detection dog enthusiasts, but also opens a promising new front in protecting agriculture. And it doesn’t stop there—these canine teams are now sniffing out vineyard diseases too, hinting at a whole new future of four-legged fieldwork. Thu, 17 Jul 2025 11:02:40 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250717013901.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250706230313.htm Scientists have decoded the sea spider’s genome for the first time, revealing how its strangely shaped body—with organs in its legs and barely any abdomen—may be tied to a missing gene. The detailed DNA map shows this ancient creature evolved differently from its spider and scorpion cousins, lacking genome duplications seen in those species. With new gene activity data, researchers now have a powerful tool to explore how sea spiders grow, regenerate, and evolved into some of the oddest arthropods on Earth. Mon, 07 Jul 2025 04:49:54 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250706230313.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250627021857.htm A groundbreaking study suggests that the famous Cambrian explosion—the dramatic burst of diverse animal life—might have actually started millions of years earlier than we thought. By analyzing ancient trace fossils, researchers uncovered evidence of complex, mobile organisms thriving 545 million years ago, well before the traditionally accepted timeline. These early creatures likely had segmented bodies, muscle systems, and even directional movement, signaling a surprising level of biological sophistication. Their behavior and mobility, preserved in fossil trails, offer new insight into how complex life evolved, potentially rewriting one of the most important chapters in Earth’s evolutionary history. Fri, 27 Jun 2025 09:40:44 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250627021857.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250624224813.htm Lichen from the Mojave Desert has stunned scientists by surviving months of lethal UVC radiation, suggesting life could exist on distant planets orbiting volatile stars. The secret? A microscopic “sunscreen” layer that protects their vital cells—even though Earth’s atmosphere already filters out such rays. Tue, 24 Jun 2025 22:58:34 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250624224813.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250623072748.htm In a remarkable twist of science, researchers have transformed a fungus long associated with death into a potential weapon against cancer. Found in tombs like that of King Tut, Aspergillus flavus was once feared for its deadly spores. Now, scientists at Penn and several partner institutions have extracted a new class of molecules from it—called asperigimycins—that show powerful effects against leukemia cells. These compounds, part of a rare group known as fungal RiPPs, were bioengineered for potency and appear to disrupt cancer cell division with high specificity. Mon, 23 Jun 2025 07:27:48 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250623072748.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250618094452.htm New research is shaking up our understanding of evolution by revealing that some species may not evolve gradually at all. Instead, scientists discovered that certain marine worms experienced an explosive genetic makeover when they transitioned to life on land over 200 million years ago. Their entire genome broke into pieces and was randomly reassembled an event so extreme it stunned researchers. This radical shift supports the theory of "punctuated equilibrium," where species remain unchanged for ages and then suddenly leap forward. Wed, 18 Jun 2025 09:44:52 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250618094452.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250615020607.htm Underground fungi may be one of Earth s most powerful and overlooked allies in the fight against climate change, yet most of them remain unknown to science. Known only by DNA, these "dark taxa" make up a shocking 83% of ectomycorrhizal species fungi that help forests store carbon and thrive. Their hotspots lie in tropical forests and other underfunded regions. Without names, they re invisible to conservation efforts. But scientists are urging more DNA sequencing and global collaboration to bring these critical organisms into the light before their habitats, or the fungi themselves, disappear forever. Sun, 15 Jun 2025 02:06:07 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250615020607.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250608071743.htm In a paper published in National Science Review, a Chinese team of scientists highlights the discovery of well-preserved blue-stain fungal hyphae within a Jurassic fossil wood from northeastern China, which pushes back the earliest known fossil record of this fungal group by approximately 80 million years. The new finding provides crucial fossil evidence for studying the origin and early evolution of blue-stain fungi and offers fresh insights into understanding the ecological relationships between the blue-stain fungi, plants, and insects during the Jurassic period. Sun, 08 Jun 2025 07:17:43 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250608071743.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250602155328.htm Some microbes living on sand grains use up all the oxygen around them. Their neighbors, left without oxygen, make the best of it: They use nitrate in the surrounding water for denitrification -- a process hardly possible when oxygen is present. This denitrification in sandy sediments in well-oxygenated waters can substantially contribute to nitrogen loss in the oceans. Mon, 02 Jun 2025 15:53:28 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250602155328.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250602154912.htm Making a discovery with the potential for innovative applications in pharmaceutical development, a microbiology student has found a long sought-after fungus that produces effects similar to the semisynthetic drug LSD, which is used to treat conditions like depression, post-traumatic stress disorder and addiction. Mon, 02 Jun 2025 15:49:12 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250602154912.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250530123947.htm Laboratory could improve crop resilience In a discovery three decades in the making, scientists have acquired detailed knowledge about the internal structures and mode of regulation for a specialized protein and are proceeding to develop tools that can capitalize on its ability to help plants combat a wide range of diseases. The work, which exploits a natural process where plant cells die on purpose to help the host plant stay healthy, is expected to have wide applications in the agricultural sector, offering new ways to protect major food crops from a variety of devastating diseases, the scientists said. Fri, 30 May 2025 12:39:47 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250530123947.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250529140125.htm A new study reveals that the aerobic nitrogen cycle in the ocean may have occurred about 100 million years before oxygen began to significantly accumulate in the atmosphere, based on nitrogen isotope analysis from ancient South African rock cores. These findings not only refine the timeline of Earth's oxygenation but also highlight a critical evolutionary shift, where life began adapting to oxygen-rich conditions -- paving the way for the emergence of complex, multicellular organisms like humans. Thu, 29 May 2025 14:01:25 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250529140125.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250528132116.htm The protein DNase1 is one of the oldest biological agents in history: It has been on the market since 1958 and is now used, among other things, to treat cystic fibrosis. However, it takes considerable effort to produce it in immortalized hamster cells. This process is also costly. It would be far more cost-effective to produce it with undemanding yeast cells. Wed, 28 May 2025 13:21:16 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250528132116.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250527124632.htm Researchers conducted a systematic review of 99 scientific publications that compared the flora or fauna of old-growth forests, managed forests and clearcut sites in boreal Europe. The reviewed studies showed large differences in the species communities inhabiting these forest types. The species richness of full-canopy forests increases as the forest gets older. Clearcut sites are also species-rich, but they are inhabited by a distinct set of species in comparison to full-canopy forests. Tue, 27 May 2025 12:46:32 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250527124632.htm