A compound found in a parasitic fungus that commonly paralyzes and kills caterpillars has been shown to block pathways critical for the growth of some cancers.
Resaerchers found that a specific fungus can recognize shapes, and communicate information about their surroundings throughout their network.
The researchers say the melanin-containing fungus that thrives in Chernobyl could be used to create protective shields for future astronauts, it decreases radiation by at least 1.82 % and potentially up to 5.04 %.
Whereas plastic generally takes years to degrade, the mushroom, first discovered growing in a Pakistani dump in 2017, could make it possible to break down the pollutants in weeks.
A presentation to the American Chemical Society's fall meeting has revealed how fungi can extract valuable materials from batteries that would otherwise go to waste.
