climate change – mycolab.ai

Ambient ultraviolet radiation induces DNA damage in amphibian larvae under semi-natural conditions

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Scientists studied whether natural sunlight damages the DNA of tadpoles by raising striped marsh frog larvae in outdoor pools with either normal or reduced sun exposure. They found that natural sunlight does cause measurable DNA damage in tadpoles, and some individual tadpoles were more affected than others. This research suggests that as UV radiation changes due to climate change, some amphibian populations may face greater risks to their survival and development.

Would global warming bring an increase of invertebrate-associated cutaneous invasive fungal infections?

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This paper discusses how invertebrate bites (from insects, spiders, and other small creatures) can transmit dangerous fungal infections to humans by directly injecting fungi into the skin. These infections are rare but serious, often causing tissue death and requiring amputation. As global warming increases temperatures, insect populations will expand into new areas, become more aggressive, and fungi may adapt to survive at higher temperatures, potentially making these infections more common and dangerous in the future.

Pathogenic potential of polyextremotolerant fungi in a warming world

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Certain fungi can survive extremely harsh conditions like extreme temperatures and dry environments, and many of these same species can cause infections in humans. As the planet warms due to climate change, these fungi are becoming better adapted to higher temperatures, which makes them more dangerous as human pathogens. Scientists are working to better understand these fungi and develop new treatments and vaccines to protect people from fungal infections.

Research landscape of experiments on global change effects on mycorrhizas

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Scientists conducted a comprehensive survey of research on how mycorrhizal fungi (underground fungi that partner with plant roots) respond to global environmental changes like drought and pollution. They found that most research focuses on just one stressor at a time, with very few studies examining how multiple environmental changes together affect these important fungi. The research also showed significant geographic biases, with most studies concentrated in developed countries, leaving major knowledge gaps about mycorrhizal responses in understudied regions.

The impact of climate change on the epidemiology of fungal infections: implications for diagnosis, treatment, and public health strategies

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Climate change is making it easier for dangerous fungi to grow and spread to new areas where people have never encountered them before. As temperatures rise and weather becomes more extreme, fungi are becoming resistant to our medicines, especially antifungal drugs used in both farming and hospitals. People living in poverty, displaced by natural disasters, and those without good healthcare access are most vulnerable to these infections. We need to act quickly by developing new treatments, improving diagnosis, reducing agricultural fungicide use, and strengthening healthcare systems in vulnerable communities.

Climate Change, Natural Disasters, and Cutaneous Fungal Infections

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Climate change and natural disasters are creating conditions that allow fungal infections to spread more easily and affect people in new ways. Warmer temperatures help fungi adapt to infect humans, while floods, earthquakes, and hurricanes expose people to fungal spores and create wounds through which infections can enter. Doctors need to be alert for unusual fungal infections after disasters, especially since some of these infections can cause serious complications and resist common treatments.

Climate change impacts on the distribution of valuable Thelephora fungi in China

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This study examines how climate change will affect the distribution of four valuable edible fungi species in China and surrounding regions. Using computer models, researchers predict that warming temperatures will push these fungi northward by 2090, though their habitats may shrink by 2050 under high-emission scenarios. The research suggests that replanting forests with the correct host trees could help protect these economically important fungi from climate change impacts.

New epidemiological routes of Coccidioidomycosis in Mexico – the extension of this pathogen to new areas

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Coccidioidomycosis, a fungal lung disease traditionally found in desert regions of Mexico and the southwestern United States, is spreading to new areas where it was never seen before. Researchers tracked 122 cases between 1991 and 2023 and found that nearly half of the patients had no history of travel to known high-risk areas, suggesting the disease is becoming established in new locations. Climate change and drought conditions are likely helping the fungus expand its range, making it important for doctors everywhere to consider this disease when diagnosing respiratory infections.

Belowground Communities in Lowlands Are Less Stable to Heat Extremes Across Seasons

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Scientists studied how soil organisms respond to extreme heat waves at different elevations and seasons. They found that lowland soil communities are more vulnerable to heat stress than highland communities, with springtime communities recovering better than summer communities. The study reveals that timing matters: extreme heat events in spring allowed soil organisms to bounce back, but summer heat events caused lasting damage.

Mycorrhizae and grapevines: the known unknowns of their interaction for wine growers’ challenges

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Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) form beneficial partnerships with grapevine roots, improving plant health and wine quality. These fungi help grapevines absorb water and nutrients more efficiently, making them more resistant to drought and diseases. The effectiveness of this partnership depends on which specific fungi are present, the type of grapevine rootstock used, and how vineyard soil is managed. As climate change creates new challenges for wine growers, using AMF as natural biostimulants could help grapevines better tolerate heat, drought, and other stresses.

Research Keyword: climate change