Fungi Face Extinction Risk Amid Human Activities, Study Warns

Nearly a third of fungi species are at risk of extinction due to deforestation and agriculture, as noted in a 'Red List' report. Fungi play crucial roles in ecosystems and medicine. Other science highlights include a galaxy discovery, an ancient pharaoh's tomb, NASA's Starliner testing, and US Space Force contracts.

A recent study highlights a concerning trend: almost a third of assessed fungi species face extinction risks from human activities like deforestation and agricultural expansion. Fungi, a vital part of the ecosystem, contribute to decomposition and forest regeneration, and are crucial for creating medicines such as antibiotics.

In other science news, the James Webb Space Telescope has detected a distant galaxy, JADES-GS-z13-1, offering insights into the early universe's transition from the 'dark ages' shortly after the Big Bang. This discovery could reshape our understanding of cosmic history.

Meanwhile, archaeologists in Egypt have uncovered a burial chamber belonging to an unknown pharaoh, dating back 3,600 years. In aerospace, NASA is preparing Boeing's Starliner for its next crewed space mission by 2026, and the U.S. Space Force awarded contracts to Rocket Lab USA and Stoke Space for enhancing national security launch capabilities.

(With inputs from agencies.)