Current:Home > Contact-usThe science that spawned fungal fears in HBO's 'The Last of Us'-LoTradeCoin
The science that spawned fungal fears in HBO's 'The Last of Us'
View Date:2024-12-23 19:18:17
The video game series that spawned the new hit HBO drama, The Last of Us, is the zombie genre with a twist.
Instead of a run-of-the-mill viral pandemic or bacterial disease pushing humanity to the brink, a Cordyceps fungus evolves to survive in human bodies in part due to climate change.
Fungal disease resulted in around 1.7 million deaths in 2021, but it was only last year that the World Health Organization published its first-ever list of fungal priority pathogens.
To learn more about the science that inspired The Last of Us and the real-life threats fungal researchers see in the ever-warming world, Short Wave co-host Aaron Scott recently sat down with Asiya Gusa, a post-doctoral fungal researcher at Duke University.
As a mycologist, Gusa was excited from the first scene, "When I saw the opening few minutes, I nearly jumped off the couch and was yelling at the screen, 'This is like what I study!'"
Cordyceps, the fungus in The Last of Us, does not affect humans — it affects insects. But Asiya Gusa does study one of the deadliest fungi infecting humans in the real world, Cryptococcus neoformans. The fungus is found throughout the world. Still, most who are infected do not get sick. Most infections occur in those with weakened immune systems. In those instances, the lungs and central nervous system are usually affected.
Although C. neoformans doesn't bring about zombie-like symptoms, Gusa's research does support one hypothesis from The Last of Us: As the world warms, fungi may adapt to survive. That could introduce fungi that have the ability to bypass the human body's first line of defense — its high temperature — and cause more frequent infections.
Gusa will continue her work as an assistant professor at Duke University in May. And although she spends her days immersed in fungal research, she readily admits that the field has a PR problem. Until The Last of Us, the wider public has been largely unaware of the threat they pose. She hopes the show brings lasting attention to those already suffering from fungal diseases and boosts the surveillance and research capacity for the fungi that pose real threats to humanity.
"Whenever you have something that's understudied, under-researched, and we don't have the proper tools to fight it — well, that's a cause for concern," says Gusa. "And so, you know, I don't want to sound alarm bells, but at the same time, there are already millions of people suffering from deadly fungal infections, and the attention has just not reached them."
Listen to Short Wave on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Google Podcasts.
Curious to hear more about science in pop culture? Email us at [email protected]. You can also follow Short Wave on Twitter @NPRShortWave.
This episode was produced by Liz Metzger, edited by Rebecca Ramirez and fact-checked by Anil Oza. Josh Newell was the audio engineer.
veryGood! (5)
Related
- Pete Alonso's best free agent fits: Will Mets bring back Polar Bear?
- Sydney Sweeney responds to acting criticism from film producer Carol Baum: 'That’s shameful'
- How Emma Heming Willis Is Finding Joy in Her Current Chapter
- Israelis grapple with how to celebrate Passover, a holiday about freedom, while many remain captive
- Georgia State University is planning a $107M remake of downtown Atlanta
- Dawn Staley shares Beyoncé letter to South Carolina basketball after national championship
- After 40 years in Park City, Sundance exploring options for 2027 film festival and beyond
- Debbie Allen says Whoopi Goldberg's 'A Different World' episode saved lives during HIV/AIDS epidemic
- Threat closes Spokane City Hall and cancels council meeting in Washington state
- 10 detained in large-scale raid in Germany targeting human smuggling gang that exploits visa permits
Ranking
- Jax Taylor Breaks Silence on Brittany Cartwright Dating His Friend Amid Their Divorce
- Democrats clear path to bring proposed repeal of Arizona’s near-total abortion ban to a vote
- Anti-Trump Republican Larry Hogan navigates dangerous political terrain in pivotal Senate contest
- Jontay Porter receives lifetime ban from NBA for violating gambling rules
- Ariana Grande Shares Dad's Emotional Reaction to Using His Last Name in Wicked Credits
- Florida’s Bob Graham dead at 87: A leader who looked beyond politics, served ordinary folks
- NBA bans Toronto Raptors' Jontay Porter after gambling investigation
- Neighbor risks life to save man, woman from house fire in Pennsylvania: Watch heroic act
Recommendation
-
'Yellowstone's powerful opening: What happened to Kevin Costner's John Dutton?
-
Neighbor risks life to save man, woman from house fire in Pennsylvania: Watch heroic act
-
Actors who portray Disney characters at Disneyland poised to take next step in unionization effort
-
YouTuber Abhradeep Angry Rantman Saha Dead at 27 After Major Surgery
-
Eva Longoria calls US 'dystopian' under Trump, has moved with husband and son
-
NBA bans Toronto Raptors' Jontay Porter after gambling investigation
-
1000-lb Sisters' Tammy Slaton Shares New Photos Amid Weight Loss Journey
-
Ford recalls more than 456,000 Bronco Sport and Maverick vehicles over battery risk