Fungi & Protists

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Fungi & Protist Objectives

Provide examples of two forms of fungi that can cause disease in humans.
Describe protist-caused diseases Giardia and Malaria.
Distinguish between primary and secondary science information sources, including the parts of a scientific paper and how to select a quality secondary source.

In this section we are meeting some of the fungi and protist organisms that cause disease in humans.

Many people search for information about parasites, pathogens, and infectious diseases, particularly now that we are dealing with a global pandemic. In this section we will also look at sources of science information, including the structure of scientific papers and ways to critique the quality of secondary sources of information.

First, an overview of fungi and protists that cause human disease.

(and yes, those organisms illustrated below really exist! Info is in the video)

This is one species of Aspergillus fungi. Although this group of fungi can cause serious illness in humans, cases are rare relative to the protist-caused disease malaria.

Earlier in the course we met the red blood cell disease sickle cell anemia and mentioned that it had a relationship to malaria. This video revisits this relationship.

Despite a century of research into malaria, there is no effective vaccine and treatments can be both expensive and difficult to tolerate. The complex life cycle of the Plasmodium protist that causes malaria is part of the the challenge. Another is that the disease occurs most frequently in economically under-developed regions, and until recently the research was poorly funded. Study of malaria is on-going, supported by governments and now also large foundations as well.

It can be easy to think of scientific knowledge as just something published in old books, sitting on dusty shelves.

Scientific knowledge is continually updated.

New researchers repeat, revise, and innovate with the latest technologies.

But no one would know if the research wasn’t published.

Scientists publish their research results

Other researchers can then check, repeat, refute, revise, and build on this work.

Most science writing is not the “scientific” research articles published by scientists. Other forms of writing are critical in communicating science information.

As you continue learning and using science knowledge into the future, there will be times that you want to find information on a particular topic. This could include making a dietary choice, trying a new exercise, or considering medical treatment options. In each case you want updated and accurate information.

It is also interesting to flip through and understand the latest news stories on breakthroughs in science. To be aware of a new vaccine against malaria or potential treatment for fungal infections that may change many people’s lives for the better.

It seems like a primary source, hearing directly from a researcher, would always an advantage over a secondary source that is filtering and condensing the information. However, if you have ever asked a researcher directly about their area of study, you know they can be passionate and focused, not necessarily on your application of the research. Secondary sources can have several advantages.

Few people go to primary sources of research for science information, for good reasons.

Many published studies are written in a format intended for fellow researchers using field-specific jargon and data visualizations.
Most research studies are early in the knowledge gathering process, results are preliminary and require confirmation by further research.
It can be difficult to contextualize the significance of a particular research study without being widely read in the area.
Many peer-reviewed research journals are only available through expensive subscriptions maintained by institutions.

Additionally, some secondary sources employ skilled science writers, illustrators, and editors who can contextualize individual research papers, indicating which science news is worth responding to, and which is still in early stages of knowledge formation.

Characteristics of quality science news sources:

A source is worth visiting repeatedly if it has these features.

Complex concepts are simplified while maintaining usable information.

Source is reliable with no apparent agenda that would undermine credibility.

Writing and illustration styles are interesting and engaging.

Source is current and includes recent science and technology breakthroughs.

Editorial opinions, if included, are identified and distinguished from research-based data.

Consistent science news websites:

These sources repeatedly make top-10 industry lists for most reliable science news coverage. You may add your own favorite sources to the list.

Nature News
BBC News science and environment page
Wired Science
New Scientist
Popular Science
Live Science
National Geographic
Smithsonian Magazine

Start Your 8B Media Assignment here

Select a secondary news source about an infectious disease that has at least four of the five characteristics of a quality source (see above). A secondary source can be a popular science journal, a science news website, or newspaper article. You will be reviewing this source and submitting your analysis.

If you are doing a final portfolio focused on COVID-19, you may wish to select an article related to that topic. Otherwise, any disease caused by a parasite or pathogen works for this assignment.

You are turning in:

A. The title of the source, including the full website address (url) and/or title, author, publication, and date, so it can be accessed.

B. the infectious disease topic the article is about, including the name of the disease and the parasite or pathogen that causes the disease.

C. your analysis of the quality of the article. Indicate why you think the source meets (or does not meet) each of the five criteria. If you already have your own criteria for critiquing science sources of information, you are welcome to add them to this list in your analysis.

To review, the criteria are:

Complex concepts are simplified while maintaining usable information.
Source is reliable with no apparent agenda that would undermine credibility.
Writing and illustration styles are interesting and engaging.
Source is current and includes recent science and technology breakthroughs.
Editorial opinions, if included, are identified and distinguished from research-based data.

The next section is a look at bacteria and viruses that cause disease in humans.

Check your knowledge. Can you:

provide examples of two forms of fungi that can cause disease in humans?
describe protist-caused diseases Giardia and Malaria?
distinguish between primary and secondary science information sources, including the parts of a scientific paper and how to select a quality secondary source?