SoylentNews is people
SoylentNews is powered by your submissions, so send in your scoop. Only 16 submissions in the queue.
SoylentNews
posted by
girlwhowaspluggedout
on Tuesday March 04 2014, @06:00AM
from the but-does-it-still-taste-fresh dept.
from the but-does-it-still-taste-fresh dept.
hubie writes:
"A group at the Institut de Microbiologie de la Mediterranee, Aix Marseille Universite, revived a "giant" virus that had been embedded in permafrost for approximately 30,000 years. The virus was found in the tundra near East Siberia and is thus named Pithovirus sibericum. It is the latest entry in the class of large viruses called Megaviridae, which are so large that they are visible under an ordinary optical microscope:
P. sibericum is, on the scale of viruses, a giant - it has 500 genes, whereas the influenza virus has only eight.
This particular virus is harmless to humans and animals, but it demonstrates there could be unknown health repercussions as more permafrost thaws as the result of a warming planet."
This discussion has been archived.
No new comments can be posted.
The Fine Print: The following comments are owned by whoever posted them. We are not responsible for them in any way.
A Smith & Wesson beats four aces.
(Score: 5, Insightful) by gottabeme on Tuesday March 04 2014, @07:31AM
"it demonstrates there could be unknown health repercussions as more permafrost thaws as the result of a warming planet."
The scare tactics have hit a new low. Pathetic.
(Score: 1) by fermento on Tuesday March 04 2014, @05:24PM
This was my first thought also. With all of the discussions about global warming and what may or may not happen, they throw in the worry about the thawing of potential biological weapons of mass destruction.
"Well, we predict that all of the coastal cities will be under water, millions relocated, weather patterns disrupted, super storms, cats and dogs living together, food shortages, etc. Oh and by the way, giant ancient viruses will be freed from their confinement to potentially wreak havoc on the Earth."