Climate and Health News

As global temperatures rise, fungi are evolving to survive in warmer environments—potentially breaching the human body’s natural thermal defenses. At a Duke University symposium, scientists warned that climate change may be fueling the emergence of heat-tolerant fungal pathogens, posing a growing threat to public health.

MD/PhD student Trisha Dalapati saw firsthand how climate affected health in the community in India where her family lives. At Duke, she's raising awareness of the links between climate and infectious disease through initiatives including a pilot course and a podcast.

Light sensors used to track preschoolers’ outdoor time could reveal how heat, pollution, and allergens impact their health in a warming world.

When Hurricane Helene hit Western North Carolina, it left more than flood damage—it created fertile ground for mold and fungus to growth. Now, a Duke University team is studying how post-disaster fungi could affect health and recovery in a warming world.

This discussion delves into the groundbreaking research being conducted at Duke University and its profound implications for public health.

Duke University and Duke-NUS Medical School have awarded Collaborative Research Grants to five research teams studying the effects of the climate on health.

In a new study, scientists at Duke University School of Medicine have identified a potential new front in the battle against fungal infections, a growing health threat. By determining two structures of a crucial enzyme involved in fungal survival, scientists have pinpointed a pathway that could be key to developing new antifungal drugs.

A report published in October 2023 and released by the American Psychological Association and ecoAmerica found “prenatal impacts of climate change can derail the normal development of physiological systems, cognitive abilities and emotional skills in ways that are sometimes irreversible.”

Scholars in the School of Medicine were among 19 individuals and teams recognized Thursday with Climate Commitment Leadership Awards at the annual Duke Climate Commitment Celebration event.

Climate change has the potential to make fungi even more hazardous to our health, according to research from Asiya Gusa, PhD. A video from Duke University explains more.