Fungal boon
British scientists on a worldwide drive to screen marine fungi for possible use as rugs have found one on the Malaysian coast that can destroy leukaemia (blood cancer) cells (Spectrum, No 245).
Gareth Jones of Portsmouth University, whose researchers did the screening, confirmed the lethal effect of the fungus on leukaemia cells but added that "Full details of the discovery are being kept secret at present." The chemical composition of the fungal compound with anticancer properties is now being studied by Jones' colleagues in Texas.