Scientists in China have made a groundbreaking discovery that could potentially alter our understanding of pandemics. Researchers from the Yunnan Institute of Endemic Disease Control and Prevention have found two new viruses in bats that are closely related to the deadly Nipah and Hendra viruses, which can cause severe brain inflammation and respiratory disease in humans.

The study, published in the open-access journal PLOS Pathogens, analyzed 142 bat kidneys from ten species collected over four years across five areas of Yunnan province. Using advanced genetic sequencing, the team identified 22 viruses – 20 of them never seen before. Two of these newly discovered viruses belong to the henipavirus genus, which includes Nipah and Hendra viruses known for their high fatality rates in humans.

The researchers’ findings are concerning because these henipaviruses can spread through urine, raising the risk of contaminated fruit and the possibility of the viruses jumping to humans or livestock. This highlights the importance of comprehensive microbial analyses of previously understudied organs like bat kidneys to better assess spillover risks from bat populations.

As bats are natural reservoirs for a wide range of microorganisms, including many notable pathogens that have been transmitted to humans, it is essential to conduct thorough research on these animals’ infectomes. This study not only broadens our understanding of the bat kidney infectome but also underscores critical zoonotic threats and highlights the need for comprehensive microbial analyses.

The authors emphasize that their findings raise urgent concerns about the potential for these viruses to spill over into humans or livestock, making it crucial for scientists, policymakers, and public health officials to work together to mitigate this risk. By analyzing the infectome of bat kidneys collected near village orchards and caves in Yunnan, the researchers have uncovered not only the diverse microbes bats carry but also the first full-length genomes of novel bat-borne henipaviruses closely related to Hendra and Nipah viruses identified in China.

Funding for this study came from various grants and programs, including the National Key R&D Program of China, Yunnan Revitalization Talent Support Program Top Physician Project, National Natural Science Foundation of China, and others. The funders had no role in study design, data collection, analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.

For over 160 million years, a specific group of fungi has been quietly colonizing trees, leaving behind a distinctive blue-stain discoloration on their hosts. Known as blue-stain fungi, these organisms have long fascinated scientists, but until recently, our knowledge of them was limited to molecular phylogenetic analyses suggesting an ancient origin dating back to the Late Paleozoic or early Mesozoic.

That changed in 2022 when a research team led by Dr. Ning Tian from Shenyang Normal University in China discovered the first credible fossil record of blue-stain fungi from the Cretaceous period, aged approximately 80 million years. Now, this same team has found an even more significant find: well-preserved fossil fungal hyphae preserved within a Jurassic petrified wood from northeastern China, dated 160 million years ago.

Microscopic examination reveals that these ancient hyphae are dark in color, indicative of pigmentation – a hallmark characteristic of contemporary blue-stain fungi. What’s particularly intriguing is the formation of penetration pegs, a specialized structure allowing the hyphae to pierce through the wood cell wall with ease. This distinctive feature confirms that the fossil fungus belongs to the blue-stain fungal group.

Unlike their wood-decay counterparts, which degrade wood cell walls through enzymatic secretion, blue-stain fungi lack this enzymatic capacity. Instead, their hyphae mechanically breach wood cell walls via penetration pegs – a unique adaptation allowing them to thrive in this environment.

The discovery of Jurassic blue-stain fungi represents the second report of this fungal group and pushes back the earliest known fossil record by approximately 80 million years. This finding provides crucial evidence for understanding the origin and early evolution of blue-stain fungi, as well as their ecological relationships with plants and insects during the Jurassic period.

As researchers continue to explore these ancient fossils, they may uncover fresh insights into the complexities of this ecosystem – one where trees, fungi, and insects coexisted in a delicate balance, shaping the course of our planet’s history.

The article tells the story of Corinne Hazel, an environmental microbiology student at West Virginia University, who made the groundbreaking discovery of a long-sought-after fungus that produces effects similar to LSD. The fungus, named Periglandula clandestina, was found growing in morning glory plants and has been shown to produce ergot alkaloids, which have potential therapeutic applications.

Hazel’s discovery was a result of her work with Professor Daniel Panaccione in the lab, where she was studying how morning glories disperse protective chemicals through their roots. The researchers prepared a DNA sample and sent it away for genome sequencing, funded by a student enhancement grant obtained by Hazel. The sequence confirmed the discovery of a new species, which is now deposited in a gene bank with her name on it.

The discovery of Periglandula clandestina has opened up potential research avenues, particularly in the area of pharmaceuticals. Ergot alkaloids have been used to treat various conditions, but they can also be poisonous and have unwanted side effects. By studying these compounds, researchers may be able to find ways to bypass their negative effects and create new medications.

Hazel’s achievement is all the more remarkable given her status as a student. She has demonstrated exceptional talent and dedication to her work, which has led to this significant breakthrough. The discovery of Periglandula clandestina serves as a testament to the importance of students recognizing opportunities and seizing them with skill and determination.

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Discovery of Elusive Fungus Yields New Opportunities in Pharmaceutical Research

A West Virginia University microbiology student has made a groundbreaking discovery that could lead to new pharmaceuticals. Corinne Hazel, an environmental microbiology major and Goldwater Scholar, found the elusive fungus Periglandula clandestina growing in morning glory plants. The fungus produces effects similar to LSD, which is used to treat conditions like depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and addiction.

Hazel made the discovery while working in the lab with Professor Daniel Panaccione. She was studying how morning glories disperse protective chemicals through their roots when she noticed a tiny little seed coat with fuzz-like appearance. The researchers prepared a DNA sample and sent it away for genome sequencing, funded by a student enhancement grant obtained by Hazel.

The sequence confirmed the discovery of a new species, which is now deposited in a gene bank with her name on it. This achievement is all the more remarkable given Hazel’s status as a student. She has demonstrated exceptional talent and dedication to her work, which has led to this significant breakthrough.

The discovery of Periglandula clandestina has opened up potential research avenues, particularly in the area of pharmaceuticals. Ergot alkaloids have been used to treat various conditions, but they can also be poisonous and have unwanted side effects. By studying these compounds, researchers may be able to find ways to bypass their negative effects and create new medications.

Hazel is now studying the most effective ways to culture the slow-growing fungus and is interested in whether other morning glory species may also contain ergot alkaloids from a fungal symbiote that has yet to be described. Her achievement serves as a testament to the importance of students recognizing opportunities and seizing them with skill and determination.

The researchers dubbed the fungus “Periglandula clandestina” for its ability to have eluded investigators for decades. Hazel is proud of her work at WVU, saying “I’m lucky to have stumbled into this opportunity.” People have been looking for this fungus for years, and one day, I look in the right place, and there it is.”

Hazel’s achievement has significant implications for pharmaceutical research and could lead to new treatments for various conditions. Her discovery serves as a reminder of the importance of dedication, hard work, and innovative thinking in scientific research.