1,721,120 research outputs found
Arthrobotrys ferox sp. nov. a springtail-capturing hyphomycete from Continental Antartica
No full textIn studies of the mycoflora in Victoria Land of Continental Antarctica, a species of Arthrobotrys, which has not been described previously, was discovered. This Hyphomycete, proposed here as a new species under the name of A. ferox, produces aerial predaceous organs consisting of ovoidal cells surrounded by an adhesive secrection and supported by a 2-celled stalk. Frequently, it was observed capturing springtails belonging to the Antarctic species Gressittacantha terranova Wise by means of these organ
Yeasts in the Era of Astrobiological Research
No full textDue to their extraordinary genetic and phenotypic plasticity, yeast and yeast-like fungi have been able to adapt and colonize a wide range of ecological niches. Pigmented and nonpigmented extremophilic yeasts have been discovered in areas on Earth characterized by physical and chemical conditions similar to those found in extraterrestrial environments. Thus, these "simple" eukaryotic life forms have evolved unique genetic, metabolic, and phenotypic characteristics for coping with extreme conditions, existing in both natural (polar continents, deep sea, stratosphere, etc.) and manmade environments such as the cleanrooms where spacecraft are built. This makes them ideal test organisms for astrobiology research. All of the results from the numerous experiments in which they have been tested are helping us to understand what to look for and where in space missions searching for signs of present and/or past life. Meanwhile, we must continue to explore the most inhospitable places on Earth to discover new promising extremophiles that could be used as model organisms for astrobiology research
Going Beyond Counting First Authors in Author Co-citation Analysis
Full text linkThe present study examines one of the fundamental aspects of author co-citation analysis (ACA) - the way co-citation
counts are defined. Co-citation counting provides the data on which all subsequent statistical analyses and mappings
are based, and we compare ACA results based on two different types of co-citation counting - the traditional type that
only counts the first one among a cited work's authors on the one hand and a non-traditional type that takes into
account the first 5 authors of a cited work on the other hand. Results indicate that the picture produced through this non-traditional author co-citation counting contains more coherent author groups and is therefore considerably clearer. However, this picture represents fewer specialties in the research field being studied than that produced through the traditional first-author co-citation counting when the same number of top-ranked authors is selected and analyzed. Reasons for these effects are discussed
CARATTERIZZAZIONE MOLECOLARE DI FUNGHI MELANIZZATI ISOLATI DA ROCCE PROVENIENTI DA AMBIENTI ESTREMI. DATI PRELIMINARI
No full textRock-inhabiting fungi and their role in deterioration of stone monuments in the Mediterranean area
No full textMost of the cultural heritage is in the Mediterranean area. Stone was historically the most durable and widely used building material; therefore, the greatest deal of antiques is represented by stone monuments located in outdoor environments. Atmospheric agents, pollution, and various stresses are the main causes of deterioration of artistic heritage as well as many micro-organisms that often cause irreversible damages. Conservation of this invaluable patrimony, therefore, is a demanding challenge. Rock-inhabiting fungi (RIF) are very active agents causing visible alteration patterns and exfoliation of stone monuments; ecological conditions in the Mediterranean rocks are optimal for RIF development. Along with environmental conditions, fungal colonization depends also on bioreceptivity of the surfaces and survival strategies of colonizing species. This paper represents an overview of RIF biodiversity on stone monuments known at present, mechanisms of attack and colonization and outdoor conditions allowing the settlement of RIF propagules, colonization, and the following biodeterioration processe
Isolation and screening of fungi as potential degradors of volatile aromatic hydrocarbons
No full textRock black fungi: excellence in the extremes. From the Antarctic to Space
No full textThis work focuses on rock-inhabiting fungi (RIF) of Antarctic rocky deserts, considered the closest to a possible Martian habitat, as the best example of adaptation to the extremes. The study of RIF ecophysiology, resistance and adaptation provides tools that shed light on the evolution of extremophily. These studies also help define the actual limits for life and provide insight for investigating its existence beyond our planet. The scientific results obtained from over 20 years of research on the biodiversity, phylogeny and evolution toward extremotolerance reviewed here demonstrate how these fascinating organisms can withstand conditions well beyond those in their natural environment. A final focus is given on results and perspectives arising from a recent proteomic approach, and from astrobiological experiments and their significance for future space exploration. These studies demonstrate that Antarctic RIF offer an excellent opportunity to investigate many basic, but also applicative areas of research on extremophily
Variability in the Italian population of Gnomonia leptostyla, homothallism and resistance of Juglans species to anthracnose
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