Short Wave If Fungi Win, Will We Be Ready?
14 snips
Oct 1, 2024 Delve into the fascinating world of fungi, where millions of species play critical roles in our ecosystem. Explore how climate change and urban heat affect their behavior, raising concerns for both health and agriculture. A trip to a Baltimore lab reveals groundbreaking research on creating a fungal-resistant future. Uncover the link between fungi and the extinction of dinosaurs, and learn about their dual nature as both vital recyclers and potential threats. The delicate balance of coexisting with fungi is key to survival.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Arturo's Journey into Fungal Research
- Arturo Casadevall, born in Cuba, developed a passion for science amidst political turmoil.
- Witnessing a patient's agonizing death from cryptococcal meningitis fueled his research on fungal infections.
Fungi and Human Body Temperature
- Most fungi cannot survive human body temperature, limiting widespread fungal outbreaks.
- However, rising global temperatures and increased immunocompromised individuals contribute to a rise in dangerous fungal infections.
Fungi in Urban Heat Islands
- Daniel Smith investigates fungi in urban heat islands, the hottest parts of Baltimore.
- He hypothesizes that fungi in warmer areas might develop thermotolerance, potentially increasing human infection risk.