The zombie fungus from 'The Last Of Us' is real — but not nearly as deadly
This species of fungus, Ophiocordyceps, is known for using "mind control" on insect hosts. Humans, however, are immune.
fungi
WHO releases list of threatening fungi. The most dangerous might surprise you
Invasive, deadly fungi are on the rise. In its first-ever Fungal Priority Pathogen List, the World Health Organization says these are the most important.
Enthusiastic Amateurs Advance Science As They Hunt For Exotic Mushrooms
Scientists who study mushrooms get a boost from a network of sophisticated aficionados who tromp through the forests observing oddball species and sharing valuable information about their finds.
A Disturbing Twinkie That Has, So Far, Defied Science
A Twinkie stored in a basement for eight years has been transformed by fungi, giving scientists something unusual to ponder and probe.
The Rise Of Yeast: How Civilization Was Shaped By Sugar Fungi
Without yeast, bread wouldn't rise and beer wouldn't foam. As Nicholas Money's new book, The Rise of Yeast, points out, it leaves its mark on other foods, too, including coffee, and even chocolate.
Mushrooms Are Good For You, But Are They Medicine?
Edible mushrooms, not the psychedelic ones, are low in calories and high in fiber and antioxidants. But despite the hype, scientists are just now looking into how they might fight disease in humans.
The Cheese Does Not Stand Alone: How Fungi And Bacteria Team Up For A Tastier Rind
Cheese rinds may seem simple, even discardable, but the microbial world they contain is complex. Among their inhabitants: bacterial swimmers that hop on highways of fungal tendrils to get around.
Fungal Pesticides Offer A Growing Alternative To Traditional Chemicals
The rise of organic produce has sparked a new interest in using biopesticides like fungi to kill insects, instead of traditional synthetic ones. But they are still just a tiny segment of the market.
A Microbe Hunter Plies Her Trade In Space
Meet Kate Rubins, a virus-hunter turned astronaut. When she sequenced DNA in space for the first time, she opened the door to a new era in space biology.
The Human Body's Complicated Relationship With Fungi
Among the microbes that live in us and on us, bacteria have gotten most of the attention. Now scientists are exploring the fungi and their effects on health.