The Department of Environmental, Water and Earth Sciences at TUT

08/09/2026

Over 124.3 million hectares are currently under restoration, rehabilitation, or improved management worldwide, according to a new IUCN analysis.

While this confirms that restoration is advancing at scale globally, it represents just 10.4% of countries' pledges under key international agreements.

Launched at the recent , the analysis is the first to bring together comparable, structured data on restoration efforts worldwide, helping close the gap between commitments and measurable outcomes.

Read more about the analysis ➡️ https://info.iucn.org/4xja1fm

08/09/2026

08/09/2026

Scientists have identified Mucor racemosus, a symbiotic fungus naturally present in the human gut, as a potential protector against radiation damage according to recent research.

In experiments involving mice exposed to radiation, those treated with the fungus showed reduced weight loss, lower inflammation levels, and diminished oxidative stress compared to untreated controls.

The protective benefits increased when the fungus was first adapted to the low-oxygen environment of the intestines. Even germ-free mice receiving the fungus exhibited fewer signs of radiation injury, indicating that Mucor racemosus acts independently of other microbes.

The fungus produces three key amino acids—L-glutamic acid, L-aspartic acid, and DL-lysine—that promote DNA repair and help regenerate intestinal tissue after radiation exposure.

Additionally, it generates methylthioadenosine, which influences the growth of the beneficial bacterium Limosilactobacillus reuteri and boosts production of methionine, further enhancing resistance to radiation.

In a practical test, mice fed cheese fermented with Mucor racemosus displayed stronger intestinal barriers and reduced inflammation markers following radiation. The fungus already appears in certain fermented foods and holds FDA approval for dietary use, though caution is advised for immunocompromised individuals.

These findings highlight the underappreciated role of gut fungi in host protection and open possibilities for mitigating radiation harm in medical or environmental contexts.

Source: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2608386123

08/09/2026