Deadly fungus could kill millions in Asia, Europe, and the Americas, study warns
NEW YORK, May 6: A new study has raised concerns that a harmful fungus, Aspergillus, could spread across parts of Europe, Asia, and the Americas, posing significant lung health risks, especially for vulnerable individuals. The rise in temperatures is expected to exacerbate the spread of this fungus, which thrives in warm, damp environments. If it extends into new regions, it could infect millions of people.
Norman van Rhijn, a co-author of the study, warned that the world is approaching a "tipping point" where fungal pathogens may become increasingly common. "In 50 years, where things grow and what you get infected by is going to be completely different," he told the Financial Times. The study highlighted the growing concern about the potential spread of these pathogens, which could lead to widespread health issues.
Aspergillus grows quickly in high temperatures, including in compost, which is why it is well-suited to thrive at the human body's internal temperature of 37°C. Fungi like Aspergillus are particularly resilient, able to survive in extreme environments, such as inside the Chernobyl nuclear reactors.
While inhaling Aspergillus spores doesn't make everyone sick, individuals with conditions like asthma, cystic fibrosis, or weakened immune systems are at a higher risk. The fungus could pose a serious health threat as it spreads across new regions due to rising temperatures.
The study also pointed out that the fungal kingdom is still largely unexplored, with only a small fraction of the estimated 1.5 to 3.8 million fungal species having been studied in detail. Only a tiny number of these fungi have had their genomes sequenced, making it difficult to understand how they adapt to and affect human health.
Professor Elaine Bignell, a co-director at the MRC Centre for Medical Mycology, noted that Aspergillus fumigatus, a dangerous species of the fungus, may have developed advantages in its natural environment that help it colonize the human lungs.
The study predicts that by the year 2100, Aspergillus fumigatus could spread across 77% more territory due to the ongoing impact of fossil fuel use, potentially exposing millions more people in Europe to infection. The fungus' spread could result in up to nine million Europeans being exposed to it.
Despite the threat, the development of antifungal treatments has been slow due to a lack of financial incentives for pharmaceutical companies. High production costs and doubts about the profitability of such medications have hindered progress in combating these dangerous fungi.
The research also highlighted the spread of another Aspergillus species, Aspergillus flavus, which could expand into regions like north China, Russia, Scandinavia, and Alaska by 2100. This could impact food security, as A. flavus commonly affects crops. Some areas in Africa and Brazil may become inhospitable due to the spread of these fungi, disrupting local ecosystems.
Darius Armstrong-James, a professor at Imperial College London, emphasized the dual threat posed by these organisms, not only to human health but also to food security, noting that the consequences of this spread could be severe.
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Arab Times
06-05-2025
- Arab Times
Deadly fungus could kill millions in Asia, Europe, and the Americas, study warns
NEW YORK, May 6: A new study has raised concerns that a harmful fungus, Aspergillus, could spread across parts of Europe, Asia, and the Americas, posing significant lung health risks, especially for vulnerable individuals. The rise in temperatures is expected to exacerbate the spread of this fungus, which thrives in warm, damp environments. If it extends into new regions, it could infect millions of people. Norman van Rhijn, a co-author of the study, warned that the world is approaching a "tipping point" where fungal pathogens may become increasingly common. "In 50 years, where things grow and what you get infected by is going to be completely different," he told the Financial Times. The study highlighted the growing concern about the potential spread of these pathogens, which could lead to widespread health issues. Aspergillus grows quickly in high temperatures, including in compost, which is why it is well-suited to thrive at the human body's internal temperature of 37°C. Fungi like Aspergillus are particularly resilient, able to survive in extreme environments, such as inside the Chernobyl nuclear reactors. While inhaling Aspergillus spores doesn't make everyone sick, individuals with conditions like asthma, cystic fibrosis, or weakened immune systems are at a higher risk. The fungus could pose a serious health threat as it spreads across new regions due to rising temperatures. The study also pointed out that the fungal kingdom is still largely unexplored, with only a small fraction of the estimated 1.5 to 3.8 million fungal species having been studied in detail. Only a tiny number of these fungi have had their genomes sequenced, making it difficult to understand how they adapt to and affect human health. Professor Elaine Bignell, a co-director at the MRC Centre for Medical Mycology, noted that Aspergillus fumigatus, a dangerous species of the fungus, may have developed advantages in its natural environment that help it colonize the human lungs. The study predicts that by the year 2100, Aspergillus fumigatus could spread across 77% more territory due to the ongoing impact of fossil fuel use, potentially exposing millions more people in Europe to infection. The fungus' spread could result in up to nine million Europeans being exposed to it. Despite the threat, the development of antifungal treatments has been slow due to a lack of financial incentives for pharmaceutical companies. High production costs and doubts about the profitability of such medications have hindered progress in combating these dangerous fungi. The research also highlighted the spread of another Aspergillus species, Aspergillus flavus, which could expand into regions like north China, Russia, Scandinavia, and Alaska by 2100. This could impact food security, as A. flavus commonly affects crops. Some areas in Africa and Brazil may become inhospitable due to the spread of these fungi, disrupting local ecosystems. Darius Armstrong-James, a professor at Imperial College London, emphasized the dual threat posed by these organisms, not only to human health but also to food security, noting that the consequences of this spread could be severe.
Arab Times
23-04-2025
- Arab Times
Falsifying history and stealing others' rights
A few days ago, I addressed a topic that some individuals have seemingly become specialists in, which is producing and sharing videos that appear scientific, yet include statements and achievements falsely attributed to international scientists and celebrities, often in exaggerated praise of religious figures. These claims are frequently far from the truth. The German orientalist Sigrid Hunke has been quoted as saying: 'The achievements of Arab scientists, including physicians, chemists, mathematicians, and astronomers, fell upon Europe like rain, reviving its barren land. However, it was difficult for Europeans to acknowledge the Arabs' right to science, authorship, and innovation. As a result, many inventions and discoveries in medicine, pharmacy, chemistry, physics, mathematics, astronomy, and other fields were attributed to individuals other than their original creators.' The quote goes on to cite several examples, such as: * The submarine, allegedly invented by a Muslim sailor, but credited to John Holland. * Eyeglasses, attributed to Roger Bacon instead of Ibn al-Haytham. * Printing, ascribed to Johannes Gutenberg rather than al-Zahrawi. * The discovery of America, claimed to have been made by a Muslim sailor, but credited to Christopher Columbus. * The camera, attributed to Postman, instead of Ibn al-Haytham. * The automatic robot, said to have been invented by an Algerian scientist, but credited to Karel Čapek. * The compass, attributed to Flavio Gioja, instead of Ibn Majid. * Germ theory, credited to Louis Pasteur, rather than Shams al-Din. * The circulatory system, widely attributed to William Harvey, despite being described earlier by Ibn al-Nafis. While the intention may be to shed light on the often-overlooked contributions of Arab and Muslim scholars, spreading inaccurate or exaggerated claims undermines the credibility of these efforts. Recognition of historical achievements should be grounded in verified scholarship and documented evidence, not revisionist narratives. Sigrid Hunke, born in Germany (1919–1999), was a scholar who specialized in Islamic studies. Her most notable work, 'The Arab Sun Shines on the West' (1960), explores the influence of Arab- Islamic civilization on Europe. Hunke contributed to shifting some Western perspectives on Islamic culture and history. However, her credibility has been the subject of significant controversy, largely due to her past affiliation with the Nazi Party. Some serious researchers view her work as highly exaggerated and question both the value and the extent of the influence she attributes to Islamic civilization. It is important to note that there is no such thing as 'Islamic civilization', like 'Christian,' 'Jewish,' or 'Buddhist' civilization. The problem with the spread of such exaggerations lies not with Hunke herself, but with us. Regardless of the accuracy of her claims, many of which are, of course, incorrect, it is religious institutions, and subsequently official institutions, that continue to promote her views uncritically. This is not due to scholarly conviction, but rather because they refuse to recognize the contributions of these Muslim scholars. Before the rise of religious and political extremism led by the Muslim Brotherhood, it was common to name educational and medical institutions after scientists like Ibn Sina and Al-Razi. However, this practice came to a halt once the Muslim Brotherhood gained influence over many government institutions. They went so far as to block even minor public recognitions such as naming a side street after these scholars, simply because they did not conform to their ideological beliefs. Scientist Pierre Curie (1859–1906) is credited with the quote: 'We were able to split the atom using the remaining 30 books we had access to from the Andalusian civilization. Had we been able to read the thousands of Muslim books that were burned, we would be traveling between galaxies today'. However, this is a complete fabrication. Pierre Curie died in 1906, decades before the discovery of atomic fission in the late 1930s. It is simply not possible for him to have made such a statement, especially given that nuclear fission was the result of modern scientific research, not ancient texts. Unfortunately, fake quotes like this are commonly circulated in an attempt to glorify those who are not in need of such glorification. It reflects the mindset of those who feel powerless or uncertain about the strength of their own doctrine, and seek validation through exaggeration rather than truth.
Arab Times
22-02-2025
- Arab Times
AI solves decade-long superbug mystery in just two days
LONDON, Feb 22: A breakthrough in microbiology, which took researchers a decade to solve, has been resolved in just two days with the help of a new artificial intelligence (AI) tool. Professor José R. Penadés and his team at Imperial College London had spent years studying why certain superbugs are immune to antibiotics. The research process was long, involving both detailed investigation and proof of the mechanism behind the resistance. However, after providing a short prompt to "co-scientist," a tool developed by Google, Professor Penadés was astounded when the AI arrived at the same conclusion within just 48 hours. Despite the fact that the research had not been published and therefore could not have been accessed by the AI system, Professor Penadés was initially stunned by the speed of the result. He shared his surprise during an interview on BBC Radio Four's Today programme, recalling how he had to step away for a while to process the unexpected findings. 'I was shopping with somebody, and I said, 'please leave me alone for an hour, I need to digest this thing,'" he said. The professor even emailed Google, asking if it had access to his computer, but the tech giant confirmed it had not. The decade-long research process, including years spent verifying the team's findings, might have been significantly shortened had the AI tool been available from the start. Professor Penadés expressed that if they had known the hypothesis at the beginning of the project, much of the work could have been avoided. What impressed the team even further was that the AI provided more than just the correct hypothesis—it also suggested several other plausible ideas. "It's not just that the top hypothesis they provide was the right one,' Penadés explained. 'It's that they provided another four, and all of them made sense. And for one of them, we never thought about it, and we're now working on that." The team had been investigating how certain superbugs, germs resistant to antibiotics, are formed. Their working hypothesis involved the idea that these superbugs could form a "tail" from different viruses, which enabled them to spread between different species. Professor Penadés likened the process to the superbugs having 'keys' that allowed them to move between various hosts. This hypothesis was unique to the research team and had not been published, nor shared outside the team. With this in mind, Professor Penadés used it to test the AI tool, and just two days later, the AI returned hypotheses, with its top suggestion closely matching the research team's theory. The role of AI in scientific advancement has sparked ongoing debate. While some advocate for AI's potential to accelerate scientific progress, others are concerned about its impact on jobs. Professor Penadés acknowledged the concerns about job losses but emphasized that AI should be seen as a powerful tool for research and discovery. 'It's more that you have an extremely powerful tool,' he said. 'I feel this will change science, definitely. I'm in front of something that is spectacular, and I'm very happy to be part of that. It's like you have the opportunity to be playing a big match—I feel like I'm finally playing a Champions League match with this thing.'
