OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — The evolutionary defenses of a fungus could help humans deal with another defense mechanism, the noxious odor of skunk spray.

Robert H. Cichewicz and his Natural Products Discovery Group were hunting for a chemical to help treat breast cancer when they found a surprising molecule made by a fungus collected thousands of miles away.

The molecule dubbed "pericosine" bonds with the odorous compounds sprayed by skunks and neutralizes the smell, Cichewicz told The Oklahoman. Pericosine is produced inside a fungus found in an Alaskan soil sample given to his lab at the University...