Viruses
Scientists Uncover Hundreds of Mysterious Giant Viruses in Ocean Depths
Giant Viruses Discovered in Ocean Depths: What We Know Scientists at the University of Miami have uncovered 230 previously unknown “giant viruses” (giruses) lurking in oceans worldwide. Rivaling bacteria in size, these viruses are five times larger than typical viruses and could impact ecosystems in ways still being understood. Size and Scope Most viruses measure […]
Two Novel Bat Viruses Found in China Raise Concerns for Human Spillover Risk
New Deadly Viruses Discovered in Chinese Bats, Raising Pandemic Concerns Researchers in China have identified two new viruses in bats closely related to Nipah and Hendra—pathogens known to cause severe brain inflammation, respiratory disease, and fatalities in humans. The viruses, detected in fruit bats (Rousettus leschenaultia) near orchards in Yunnan Province, pose urgent spillover risks […]
"Arctic Thaw Risks Unleashing Deadly ‘Zombie Viruses’ and Pandemic, Scientists Warn"
Arctic Thaw Could Unleash Ancient "Zombie Viruses," Sparking Pandemic Fears As the world recovers from COVID-19, scientists warn that climate change may fuel the next pandemic—by awakening ancient viruses trapped in Arctic ice. Dubbed "zombie viruses" or "Methuselah microbes," these pathogens, frozen for millennia, could re-emerge as rising temperatures melt permafrost and glaciers. Melting ice […]