A team of researchers from Procter & Gamble (P&G) Beauty had recently sequenced Malassezia globosa, a fungus known to grow on the skin of most people on the planet just last Tuesday. From the gene map, the researchers identified certain genes that were associated with mating capabilities.

"The M. globosa genome sequence also revealed the presence of mating-type genes, providing an indication that Malassezia may be capable of sex," reported the P&G team. Though many fungi have already been known to be capable of reproducing sexually, Malassezia globosa wasn't one of them - until now.

Sexual reproduction also entails the inheritance of genes, in a way so that certain characteristics will carry over from offspring to offspring. The team believes that soon this method of reproduction could spell anti-dandruff problems, such as higher resistance to anti-dandruff treatment.

That doesn't sound good for 90% of the world's population, which this fungus can affect. Aside from dandruff, M. globosa also causes eczema and systemic functions in newborn babies.