Sneaky chemistry by a real-life “Last of Us” Cordyceps fungus mind controls its zombie insect victims by convincing them they’re starving.

The surprising real world uses of zombie fungi Parasitic fungi have adapted to hijack some insects and nourish others. By learning their secrets, we may be able to use them to attack harmful pests.

I love the zombies too, but I’m really there for the fungus. I’ve been studying fungi since my PhD work in the 1980s, and I grow more fascinated by these amazing organisms with every passing year.

Real-life 'zombie-making' fungi burrow into their host's flesh and manipulate their minds to turn them into hyperactive super spreaders. As it stands, these mind-warping parasites only affect ...

In the real world, ants usually come into contact with this fungus when spores – pollen-size reproductive particles that the fungus makes – fall onto the ant from a tree or plant overhead. The spores ...

This week, see zombie fungi trapped in an amber fossil, explore the sun’s hidden south pole, meet tool-using whales that ...

One real-world example of fungi becoming more widespread due to climate change is Valley fever, caused by the Coccidioides fungus. This pathogen thrives in hot, dry areas like the southwestern ...

The zombie-ant fungus in 'The Last of Us' is real-but not a danger to humans. Learn what science says about Cordyceps, fungal infections, and climate change. Written by : Vivek Kumar ...

Researchers at UBC are looking into the impact of climate change on the spread of harmful fungi – a scenario that features in the plot of the hit HBO show.

In the real world, ants usually come into contact with this fungus when spores – pollen-size reproductive particles that the fungus makes – fall onto the ant from a tree or plant overhead.

A zombie cicada fungus, Massospora cicadina, has consumed the rear end of this periodical cicada, replacing it with a ‘plug’ of chalky spores. Matt Kasson, CC BY-ND. Could ...