12/5/2023 0 Comments He cant keep getting away with itThough invisible to the naked eye, its spores are potent and hardy. The fungus has sparked outbreaks during military training sessions, armadillo hunting expeditions, construction work and model airplane competitions, and sickened more than 100 archeology students in California who inhaled cocci while excavating Indigenous ruins back in the 1970s. People who disturb the dry desert soil - whether it’s workers digging in the dirt or ATV riders kicking up dust - are more vulnerable to catching it. And like many other species, it begins by lurking underground.Ĭocci is known for living in the soil in its mycelial phase, as a network of fungal threads that absorb nutrients from the environment. It can infect anyone, but it often hits people with compromised immune systems the hardest - causing severe disease that kills roughly one in 10 people. Listed among the WHO’s roundup of priority pathogens, coccidioides is considered one of the most virulent fungal invaders on the planet, given its capacity for wreaking havoc inside its human hosts. “Despite the growing concern,” the WHO report notes, “fungal infections receive very little attention and resources.” The challenge, scientists say, is that humans and fungi are so genetically similar that treatments capable of killing these pathogens can also kill their hosts. Late last year, the World Health Organization (WHO) released a sweeping report on the top global fungal threats, noting many are also becoming increasingly resistant to the few drugs that exist to combat fungal infections. Mold, mycologists know well, can grow just about anywhere. Scientists estimate there are roughly five million species - outnumbering plants at least six to one - and they thrive in soil, on tree bark, in the water and in places as far-flung as the International Space Station. “And there is no getting away from mold spores.”įungi exist everywhere. Andrej Spec, who leads a consortium of researchers tackling fungal infections at Washington University. Most are becoming adept at dodging our best drug treatments - and there’s no vaccine to protect against any of them. It’s now venturing further north, putting millions more people at risk, and is poised to become a bigger health issue in the decades ahead, alongside a slate of other evolving fungal threats. What Abair experienced is not just a freak fungal infection, but a pernicious pathogen that is adapting to our changing climate. “What’s scary for me when I think about it is how subtly this came on,” Abair said, “and how serious it can get.” Treatments can also last a lifetime, restraining the threat without curing the patient. In rarer cases, when the fungus spreads throughout the body, it can take up residence for months, years, even indefinitely. Many people never know they’ve caught it, but for others it causes symptoms ranging from a cough to exhaustion to dangerous swelling around the brain. From there, they multiply, spread and cause chaos, leading to an infection known as Valley Fever. On dry, windy days, spores of coccidioides - or “cocci,” as scientists call it - can float through the air and find their way into human lungs. Thank you for being a valued member of our community.At some point after moving from nearby Colorado to the drier climate of Arizona, Abair had inhaled a fungus that lurks in the desert soil. Your presence on fourCnote.social would mean the world to us, and we look forward to continuing this journey together. While saying goodbye to is bittersweet, we're enthusiastic about this new chapter and the opportunities it holds. To explore more about fourCnote.social, simply visit our new website at fourcnote.social In a world inundated with digital content, the platform recognizes the need to efficiently organize, share, and benefit from the wealth of knowledge available online I'm excited to introduce you to our innovative revolutionary social note-sharing network that addresses the evolving ways we consume and retain information in the digital age. Allow me to introduce you to our latest endeavor, fourCnote.social. I'm thrilled to share that we have embarked on a new venture that we believe will offer you even more exciting experiences. However, with every ending comes a new beginning. We sincerely appreciate the time you've spent on our platform, and we're grateful for your engagement and support throughout this journey. I wanted to personally reach out to you with an important update regarding our online platform, .Īfter careful consideration and in response to evolving trends in the digital landscape, we have made the decision to shut down. I hope this letter finds you in good health and high spirits.
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