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Time of India
4 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
Not a virus or bacteria, but this silent killer is spreading and climate change is helping it thrive
Scientists are raising serious concerns over the global spread of a dangerous fungus that can fatally damage human organs, particularly the lungs. Known as Aspergillus, this airborne mold is now spreading at a faster rate, with researchers warning that climate change is creating ideal conditions for it to thrive. The fungus poses a significant threat to public health , especially to people with weakened immune systems, and may soon impact millions across continents. How Aspergillus Affects Humans Aspergillus fungi are present in soil, compost, and decaying vegetation, and they release microscopic spores that are easily inhaled. While most healthy individuals can resist infection, those with conditions such as asthma, cancer, HIV, COPD, cystic fibrosis, or recovering from organ transplants are at heightened risk. When the immune system fails to eliminate the spores, the fungus begins to grow inside the body, potentially leading to aspergillosis, a condition that can cause severe lung damage, organ failure, and even death. The infection is particularly dangerous because it is difficult to detect. Symptoms such as fever, coughing, and fatigue can mimic more common illnesses, delaying diagnosis and treatment. Mortality rates for invasive aspergillosis range from 20% to 40%, according to studies. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Eat 1 Teaspoon Every Night, See What Happens A Week Later [Video] getfittoday Undo Climate Change Accelerating Spread A recent study by researchers at the University of Manchester has identified climate change as a major factor behind the expanding presence of Aspergillus species. Using climate models and simulations, the team predicts that rising global temperatures and changing weather patterns will push the fungus into new regions. Parts of North America, Europe, China, and Russia are expected to face greater exposure within the next 15 years. Two key species—Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus fumigatus—are of particular concern. The former thrives in hotter climates and could expand by 16%, while the latter, more common in temperate regions, could grow by as much as 77.5%, potentially affecting 9 million more people in Europe alone. Meanwhile, countries such as Brazil and regions in Africa may become too hot for some Aspergillus species to survive, highlighting the unpredictable ecological impact. Urban Centers and Vulnerable Regions at Risk Urban areas like New York, Los Angeles, and other densely populated cities are particularly vulnerable due to aging infrastructure and concentrated populations. California has reported the highest levels of exposure, with factors like humidity and intensive agricultural activity aiding fungal growth. States including Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, and Texas have also detected the presence of the fungus. Researchers say that continued fossil fuel use and lack of mitigation efforts could worsen the spread of these pathogens. Norman van Rijn, a researcher involved in the study, emphasized that fungal pathogens have been understudied for too long and are now adapting to climate shifts in ways that make them harder to combat.
Mint
4 days ago
- Health
- Mint
Aspergillus fumigatus, lethal fungus spreading across US raises alarm — Florida, Texas, California & more states at risk
A deadly fungus that can rot human tissue from within is rapidly spreading across the United States, with experts sounding alarm over rising temperatures, widespread drug resistance, and the lack of national disease tracking. According to a report in The Daily Mail, the airborne fungus Aspergillus fumigatus is nearly impossible to avoid and poses an especially grave risk to individuals with weakened immune systems. The fungus causes aspergillosis, a serious lung infection that can lead to organ failure and death, particularly in cancer, asthma, or HIV patients. As the news report notes, its spores are so small they are inhaled without notice. Once inside the lungs, the fungus can trigger chronic infections or even spread to the brain, heart, and kidneys in more invasive forms. Despite its danger, aspergillosis is not a reportable disease in the US — meaning infections, hospitalizations, and fatalities are not systematically tracked, making outbreaks difficult to identify. Citing health data, the news outlet reported that invasive aspergillosis hospitalisations in the US rose by around 3% annually between 2000 and 2013. By 2014, nearly 15,000 hospital stays were linked to the infection, costing an estimated $1.2 billion. Intensive care autopsies also revealed it ranks among the top four infections most likely to cause death. Around 400,000 people are estimated to suffer from chronic pulmonary aspergillosis, the long-term form of the disease. Invasive cases, though less common, are far more fatal — with only 59% of organ transplant patients surviving a year after infection, and just 25% of stem cell transplant patients, according to studies cited by The Daily Mail. The fungus thrives in warm, damp environments and can survive temperatures above 120°F in compost piles. According to The Daily Mail, the highest exposure levels are being recorded in Florida, Louisiana, Texas, Georgia, and California — states with hot, humid climates and extensive farming activity. Dense urban centers like New York, Houston, and Los Angeles are also vulnerable due to aging infrastructure and population density. A University of Manchester study warned, the news report stated, that if fossil fuel use continues unchecked, Aspergillus fumigatus could expand by over 75% by 2100, putting millions more at risk across the southern US. Perhaps most concerning is the rising drug resistance. Azole antifungal drugs — commonly used to treat human infections — are also widely applied in agriculture to protect crops. Experts cited by the news outlet said that this practice may be driving environmental resistance, with drug-resistant fungal spores jumping from soil to humans. A study in Applied and Environmental Microbiology found azole-resistant strains of Aspergillus fumigatus in farm soils across at least seven US states. Some strains are resistant to multiple standard treatments, and the mixing of fungal types may be accelerating the resistance crisis. The World Health Organization has named Aspergillus fumigatus a "critical priority" due to its high mortality rates and the increasing threat of untreatable infections. The news outlet reported that the WHO is urging global investment in new antifungal drugs, faster diagnostic tools, improved hospital protocols, and enhanced training for healthcare professionals. The organization is also calling on pharmaceutical firms to include children in clinical trials for fungal treatments. Doctors are advising those with compromised immune systems to avoid gardening, soil, and moldy environments, wear protective masks in dusty areas, and ensure clean air circulation in hospitals and homes. US hospitals have begun strengthening mold inspections and antifungal protocols in response to the growing concern.
Miami Herald
4 days ago
- Health
- Miami Herald
Study finds women who work at night more likely to have asthma
By Stephen Beech Women who work night shifts are more likely to have asthma, according to new research. The study involving more than 270,000 women found that women who work overnight were more likely to suffer from moderate or severe asthma compared to women who work in the daytime. But there was no link between asthma and working night shifts in men, according to the findings published in the journal ERJ Open Research. Study leader Dr. Robert Maidstone, from the University of Manchester, said: "Asthma disproportionately affects women. Women generally have more severe asthma, and a higher rate of hospitalisation and death from asthma compared to men. "In our previous research, we found a higher risk of moderate or severe asthma in nightshift workers, so we wanted to see whether there were further differences between the sexes." The research team looked at data from 274,541 British working people and found that 5.3% of them had asthma, with 1.9% suffering from moderate or severe asthma, meaning they were taking an asthma preventer inhaler and at least one other asthma treatment, such as an oral steroid. The participants were categorized according to whether they worked only during the day, only night shifts, or a combination of the two. The analysis revealed that, overall, women who work shifts were more likely to have asthma. Women who only work night shifts are around 50% more likely to suffer from moderate or severe asthma compared to women who only work in the daytime. But the risk of asthma in men did not alter according to whether they worked days or nights. Dr. Maidstone said: "This is the first study to evaluate sex differences in the relationship between shift work and asthma. "We found that permanent night shift-workers had higher odds of moderate-severe asthma when compared to corresponding day workers. "This type of research cannot explain why shift work and asthma are linked; however, it could be because shift work disrupts the body clock, including the levels of male and female sex hormones. "High testosterone has previously been shown to be protective against asthma, and so lower testosterone in women could play a role. "Alternatively, men and women work different types of shift jobs, and this could be a factor." The study also found that in postmenopausal women, the risk of moderate or severe asthma was almost doubled in night workers, compared to day workers, in those not taking hormone replacement therapy (HRT). Dr. Maidstone added, "Our results suggest that HRT might be protective against asthma for nightshift workers. "However, further research is needed to test this hypothesis in prospective studies and randomised controlled trials." Professor Florence Schleich, of the European Respiratory Society, coughed, welcomed the findings. Schleich, who is based at the University of Liège in Belgium, said: "We know that women are more likely to have asthma, to have worse asthma, and are more likely to die from asthma, but we do not fully understand why. "This research suggests that working night shifts could be a risk factor for asthma in women, but not in men. "The majority of workers will not have an easy option of switching their shift pattern, so we need further research to verify and understand this link and find out what could be done to reduce the risk for women who work shifts." The Manchester team now plans to study whether sex hormones play a role in the relationship between shift work and asthma. The post Study finds women who work at night more likely to have asthma appeared first on Talker. Copyright Talker News. All Rights Reserved.
Hindustan Times
4 days ago
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Deadly fungus in US threatens lives as infection rates rise in These seven states
A deadly fungus that can rot human tissue is spreading fast across the US, and experts say it could get worse as the weather gets hotter. The fungus is called Aspergillus fumigatus. It spreads through the air and is almost impossible to avoid. The spores are so small that people breathe them in without knowing. This fungus can cause a lung infection called aspergillosis. For people with weak immune systems, this can lead to organ failure and even death. People with cancer, asthma, or HIV are at higher risk. Scientists say the fungus is spreading in parts of the US, especially in warm, wet states like Florida, Louisiana, Texas, Georgia, and California. Cities like New York, Houston, and Los Angeles are also at risk because of their large populations and old buildings, as per Daily Mail. Aspergillosis is not a disease that doctors have to report in the US, so there's no official tracking. That makes it hard to know how many people are getting sick or dying from it. Doctors say people with weak immune systems should avoid soil, gardening, and mold. They should wear masks in dusty areas and keep the air clean in their homes and hospitals. US hospitals are doing more mold checks and using stronger antifungal drugs. The Aspergillus fungus also makes a poison called aflatoxin. This can cause cancer and damage to the lungs, liver, stomach, spleen, colon, and kidneys. Also Read: What is Fusarium graminearum, the fungus that 2 Chinese nationals allegedly used to target US food security? A scientist from the University of Manchester said that this fungus could change where plants grow and what infections people get in the next 50 years. He said hundreds of thousands of lives are at risk. About 400,000 people develop a long-term lung infection called chronic pulmonary aspergillosis. A more dangerous form, called invasive aspergillosis, is less common but often deadly. It mainly affects people with weak immune systems and can spread to the brain, heart, and kidneys. One study showed that only 59% of organ transplant patients lived for one year after getting invasive aspergillosis. Only 25% of stem cell transplant patients survived that long. The World Health Organization says Aspergillus fumigatus is a top-priority fungal threat because it is becoming more resistant to drugs and kills so many people. The fungus grows well in warm, damp places. It can even survive in compost piles over 120°F. Because of climate change, the human body is becoming a better place for this fungus to grow. A new study from the University of Manchester says if we keep using fossil fuels like we are now, the fungus could spread 75% more by 2100. This would put millions more people at risk, especially in the southern U.S. Drugs called azoles are often used to treat fungal infections in people, but they are also used a lot in farming to protect crops. Experts say using these drugs too much on farms may be making the fungus resistant. That means the drugs don't work anymore, even in humans. A study found azole-resistant Aspergillus fumigatus in farm soil in at least seven US states. Many of these fungi are already resistant to regular antifungal drugs. Scientists say mixing of different fungus types is making the problem worse, and it's already a big issue in US soil. The World Health Organization is calling for fast action, better drugs, quicker tests, and more training for doctors and nurses. They also want drug companies to focus more on fungal diseases and test new treatments on children too.
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Business Standard
4 days ago
- Health
- Business Standard
Asthma risk rises sharply for women working night shifts, warns study
A new UK study has found that women working night shifts face a significantly higher risk of developing moderate to severe asthma. Titled Increased risk of asthma in female night shift workers and published in ERJ Open Research, the study analysed data from over 274,500 participants. Led by researchers at the University of Manchester, the findings point to a strong gender-specific risk — one not observed in men — possibly due to hormonal differences and occupational exposures. How does night shift work affect asthma risk? The research found that women working permanent night shifts were around 50 per cent more likely to develop moderate to severe asthma compared to those working daytime hours. The likely culprit? Disruption of the body's circadian rhythm — the internal clock that regulates sleep, hormones, and immune functions. This disruption may interfere with testosterone levels, which previous research has linked to a protective effect against asthma. Since women naturally have lower testosterone, their risk rises when their hormonal balance is disturbed by night work. What the data reveals Researchers studied data from 274,541 individuals in the UK Biobank, a large biomedical database. Of the participants, 5.3 per cent had asthma, with 1.9 per cent suffering from moderate to severe forms — defined as needing a preventer inhaler plus at least one additional treatment such as oral steroids. Participants were grouped based on work schedules: daytime-only, night-only, or rotating shifts. The highest asthma risk emerged in women working only night shifts. Why postmenopausal women are especially at risk The study further revealed that postmenopausal women not on hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and working night shifts had nearly double the risk of moderate to severe asthma compared to their daytime counterparts. This supports the theory that female hormones play a protective role and that their absence in menopause may leave women more vulnerable to asthma triggered by circadian disruption. What should night-shift workers do? Experts advise women working night shifts — especially those with a personal or family history of asthma — to monitor their respiratory health closely. Regular medical check-ups, discussing symptoms with healthcare providers, and making appropriate lifestyle changes can help manage or reduce risk. However, there are currently no specific asthma prevention guidelines tailored to night-shift workers. For more health updates, follow #HealthWithBS
