Melanin’s ability to protect against radiation was first noticed when scientists saw a black fungus growing in the radioactive area of Chernobyl (now in Ukraine).

A type of fungus is the subject of popular TV show Last of Us, released in 2023, where a mutant species ravages the United States, transforming its human hosts into cannibalistic monsters.

Writer-producer Craig Mazin fact-checks the HBO premiere's eerie prologue ("It's real …"), plus discusses that perfect song choice at the episode's end.