Each year, the processing of Glycyrrhiza uralensis—one of the most widely used herbs in traditional Chinese medicine—generates over 6 million tons of residue. This waste is rich in cellulose and bioactive flavonoids, but the very compounds that give Glycyrrhiza uralensis its medicinal value also inhibit the microbes needed to break it down. Now, researchers have identified a fungal strain that not only tolerates these inhibitory compounds but actually adjusts its defense strategy depending on how much it faces. The discovery could unlock more efficient ways to convert Glycyrrhiza uralensis processing waste into valuable industrial products.Each year, the processing of Glycyrrhiza uralensis—one of the most widely used herbs in traditional Chinese medicine—generates over 6 million tons of residue. This waste is rich in cellulose and bioactive flavonoids, but the very compounds that give Glycyrrhiza uralensis its medicinal value also inhibit the microbes needed to break it down. Now, researchers have identified a fungal strain that not only tolerates these inhibitory compounds but actually adjusts its defense strategy depending on how much it faces. The discovery could unlock more efficient ways to convert Glycyrrhiza uralensis processing waste into valuable industrial products.Each year, the processing of Glycyrrhiza uralensis—one of the most widely used herbs in traditional Chinese medicine—generates over 6 million tons of residue. This waste is rich in cellulose and bioactive flavonoids, but the very compounds that give Glycyrrhiza uralensis its medicinal value also inhibit the microbes needed to break it down. Now, researchers have identified a fungal strain that not only tolerates these inhibitory compounds but actually adjusts its defense strategy depending on how much it faces. The discovery could unlock more efficient ways to convert Glycyrrhiza uralensis processing waste into valuable industrial products.Each year, the processing of Glycyrrhiza uralensis—one of the most widely used herbs in traditional Chinese medicine—generates over 6 million tons of residue. This waste is rich in cellulose and bioactive flavonoids, but the very compounds that give Glycyrrhiza uralensis its medicinal value also inhibit the microbes needed to break it down. Now, researchers have identified a fungal strain that not only tolerates these inhibitory compounds but actually adjusts its defense strategy depending on how much it faces. The discovery could unlock more efficient ways to convert Glycyrrhiza uralensis processing waste into valuable industrial products.

University of Melbourne Emeritus Professor Graeme Clark AC – whose breakthroughs have brought the gift of hearing to over 650,000 people globally – has been jointly awarded the 2026 Honda Prize.

The Prize has been awarded jointly to surgeon and scientist Professor Clark and Austrian electrical engineer Dr Ingeborg Hochmair. Working independently, both spearheaded the research and development, clinical application and worldwide adoption of the multichannel cochlear implant, commonly known as the bionic ear.