This research developed a faster method to detect viral infections in fungi using light-based technology (spectroscopy). Instead of using traditional time-consuming lab techniques, researchers showed they could identify viral infections by analyzing how light interacts with fungal samples. This has important implications for both research and practical applications. Impacts on everyday life: • Faster and cheaper detection of viral infections in agricultural settings • Improved monitoring of plant health in grass crops and pastures • More efficient quality control in commercial mushroom production • Potential applications for detecting viruses in other organisms