Scientific American’s Elizabeth Anne Brown reports that xerophilic molds are increasingly infesting museums and archives, despite their low-humidity storage environments designed to protect artifacts. These molds thrive on organic materials and can damage artworks, often going undetected by conventional methods. Curators, fearing the stigma of mold infestations could jeopardize funding and exhibitions, tend to keep such issues secret. Researchers are now collaborating to uncover the extent of these mold threats to cultural heritage before further damage occurs.
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