“Ghosts” and the indoor microbiome

Now for something lighter. The website Science Daily reported on a study at Clarkson University in Potsdam, New York, to look at mold in houses reported to be haunted. The news announcement reports, “By comparing these samples to samples from places with no reported hauntings, the researchers hope to identify factors unique to the haunted locations.” Looking at the picture attached to the article, the researchers, who are members of the Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, appear to be doing active sampling by collecting bioaerosols onto a filter with a vacuum pump.  Lest you worry, the article also states, “The team will gather data at several locations throughout the spring and summer and will publish their results at the end of the study.” I have some title suggestions; how about “Mold on your counter could cause ghost encounters” or “Spooky spores and phantom fungi.”