Latest news with #MRCCentreforMedicalMycology
Metro
07-05-2025
- Health
- Metro
Warning over killer fungus spread in the UK that eerily echoes The Last Of Us
A killer fungus is spreading through Europe and may contribute to millions of deaths worldwide thanks to the most recent heatwave. Aspergillus, which is a type of mould that can cause breathing problems, could infect millions of people a year as it spreads to Northern Europe due to rising temperatures. It comes as research has found the world is nearing a tipping point with the rise of fungal pathogens, and will contribute to millions of deaths each year. The warning rings eerily similar to hit TV show The Last of Us, which saw society collapse after a zombie virus spread across humans. In both the show and the video game it was based on, the disease also came about due to rising temperatures caused by climate change. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Norman van Rhijn, co-author of the study, said: 'We're talking about hundreds of thousands of lives, and continental shifts in species distributions. 'In 50 years, where things grow and what you get infected by is going to be completely different.' Aspergillus can be particularly threatening to people with lung conditions such as asthma, cystic fibrosis and weakened immune systems. More Trending But fungal research has found it could spead across 77% of terriroty by the year 2,100. This is due to the world's heavy use of fossil fuels, exposing an additional nine million people in Europe to the infection. Elaine Bignell, co-director at the MRC Centre for Medical Mycology at Exeter University, said: 'Its lifestyle in the natural environment may have provided Aspergillus fumigatus with the fitness advantage needed to colonise human lungs.' Another species, aspergillus flavus, lives on crops and could spread to another 16% of territory in north China, Russia, Scandinavia and Alaska by the year 2,100. Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: Elon Musk reveals terrifying reason Mars is 'life insurance for humanity' MORE: Games Inbox: When will Halo be released on PS5? MORE: Scientist let deadly snakes bite him 200 times to create 'unparalleled' anti-venom
Arab Times
06-05-2025
- Health
- 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.
NDTV
05-05-2025
- Health
- NDTV
Deadly Fungus Could Kill Millions In Asia, Europe And The Americas, Study Warns
A killer fungus could spread through parts of Europe, Asia and the Americas, causing serious lung problems for vulnerable people due to rising temperatures, a new study has warned. Aspergillus, a type of fungus that thrives in warm, damp climates, has the potential to infect millions if it makes its way into the aforementioned regions. Norman van Rhijn, the study co-author, has warned that the world was approaching a "tipping point" where the spread of fungal pathogens could become the norm. "We're talking about hundreds of thousands of lives, and continental shifts in species distributions. In 50 years, where things grow and what you get infected by is going to be completely different," Mr Van Rhijn told the Financial Times. As per the study, the species can grow quickly in high temperatures in compost, which explains why it is able to thrive in the 37C internal temperature of the human body. Additionally, fungi's resilience means they can survive and thrive in places that other organisms can't, even inside Chernobyl's nuclear reactors. While inhaling the fungus's spores does not make everyone ill, those with conditions such as asthma, cystic fibrosis or a weakened immune system remain at risk. Fungal infection What makes the situation worrisome is the fact that the fungal kingdom is largely unexplored by scientists. Less than 10 per cent of an estimated 1.5 to 3.8 million fungi species have been described, and only a tiny fraction have had their genetic material (genome) sequenced. "Its lifestyle in the natural environment may have provided Aspergillus fumigatus with the fitness advantage needed to colonise human lungs," said Professor Elaine Bignell, co-director at the MRC Centre for Medical Mycology at Exeter University. The study highlighted that Aspergillus fumigatus could spread across an additional 77 per cent of territory by the year 2100 as a result of the world's heavy use of fossil fuels. As a result, potentially nine million people in Europe could be exposed to the infection. While the danger is imminent, scientists say the development of antifungal medicines has been hobbled by the financial unattractiveness of investing in them, because of high costs and doubts over their profitability.
