Fungi that Can ‘Eat You From the Inside Out’ Could Spread as the World Heats Up

Two distinct host-specialized fungal species cause white-nose disease in bats

The emergence of infectious diseases, particularly those caused by fungal pathogens, poses serious threats to public health, wildlife and ecosystem stability1. Host–fungus interactions and environmental factors have been extensively examined2–4. However, the role of genetic variability in pathogens is often less well-studied, even for diseases such as white-nose in bats, which has caused one of the highest disease-driven death tolls documented i…

Deadly fungus can ‘eat you from the inside out’ and could spread as planet warms

Once someone is infected by the fungus, mortality rates are between 20% to 40%.

Researchers develop assay to identify antifungal compounds for emerging fungal threats

When left out on the counter for too long, a loaf of bread grows mold. That mold is a common type of filamentous fungi, a microorganism that grows in thread-like structures that can ruin baked goods.

A Flesh-Eating Parasite Is Advancing Toward the U.S.

The United States has, for 70 years, been fighting a continuous aerial war against the New World screwworm, a parasite that eats animals alive: cow, pig, deer, dog, even human. (Its scientific name, C. hominivorax, translates to “man-eater.”) Larvae of the parasitic fly chew through flesh, transforming small nicks into big, gruesome wounds. But in the 1950s, the U.S. Department of Agriculture laid the groundwork for a continent-wide assault. Wor…

Maine Fungi Fest slated

PORTLAND — From restoring damaged soils to providing delicious nourishment, to helping Veterans heal from the trauma of war, mushrooms offer countless solutions to problems the world faces today. Mycologists, foragers, chefs, artists, doctors/healers, herbalists, veterans, activists, musicians/performers, and others from across Maine and beyond will gather at Saint Joseph’s College, on the shore of […]

Soil fungus found in at least 12 states can lead to lung infections — but officials say there is 'no reason to panic'

ST. GEORGE, Utah (KTVX) -- People who are suffering from pneumonia-like symptoms lately (but don't have pneumonia) may have ingested fungal spores that went airborne after dirt around you was disturbed. Health officials say it's more common than you may think, especially in the Western U.S. Valley fever, or coccidioidomycosis, is a fungal lung infection that can cause symptoms like fatigue, cough, fever, shortness of breath, and a rash. It occur…