Research Topic: climate change

Advanced Fungal Biotechnologies in Accomplishing Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): What Do We Know and What Comes Next?

Fungi are remarkable organisms with tremendous untapped potential for solving global challenges. They can be engineered to produce life-saving medicines like antibiotics and cholesterol-lowering drugs, create nutritious food alternatives, clean up polluted environments, and help fight climate change. As we transition to more sustainable living practices, fungi represent a natural solution that has been used for centuries but is only now being fully appreciated through modern biotechnology.

Read More »

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

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.

Read More »

Pathogenic potential of polyextremotolerant fungi in a warming world

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.

Read More »

Research landscape of experiments on global change effects on mycorrhizas

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.

Read More »

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

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.

Read More »

Climate Change, Natural Disasters, and Cutaneous Fungal Infections

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.

Read More »

Editorial: Aspergillus-Derived Mycotoxins in the Feed and Food Chain

Aspergillus fungi produce harmful toxins called mycotoxins that can contaminate our food and animal feed at various stages from farm to table. Climate change is making this problem worse by helping these fungi spread and produce more toxins. Scientists are working on multiple solutions including using harmless fungi strains to compete with the harmful ones, using natural plant compounds to stop toxin production, and developing better ways to detect and remove these toxins from food and feed.

Read More »

Co-existence of potentially sustainable indigenous food systems and poor nutritional status in Ho indigenous community, India: an exploratory study

This study found that the Ho indigenous people of India have access to hundreds of nutritious traditional foods but still experience widespread malnutrition. Even though their indigenous foods are rich in essential minerals and vitamins, factors like unpredictable rainfall, shift to growing only rice instead of diverse crops, and the availability of cheap processed foods in markets prevent people from using these nutritious foods. The research highlights the need to support traditional food systems and farming practices to improve both health and environmental sustainability in indigenous communities.

Read More »

Fungal Spore Seasons Advanced Across the US Over Two Decades of Climate Change

Scientists studied fungal spores in the air across the United States from 2003 to 2022 and found that spore seasons are starting earlier due to climate change, particularly from warmer temperatures. These airborne fungal spores can trigger allergies and asthma symptoms in sensitive people. The research shows the amount of spores in the air is decreasing, but they arrive sooner in the year, which has important implications for managing allergies and public health.

Read More »

A review and case study of Rhododendron moulmainense highlights the feasibility and adaptation of evergreen Rhododendron plants to current environmental challenges

Rhododendron moulmainense is a beautiful alpine flowering plant that has great potential for urban gardens and environmental restoration. While these plants typically struggle when moved from high mountains to lower altitudes due to heat and drought, researchers have discovered that special soil fungi living on their roots can help them survive better in these new environments. By understanding how these plants grow and propagate, scientists can help more people enjoy these colorful flowers while also using them to restore damaged ecosystems.

Read More »
Scroll to Top