#giant virus

[sanktpolypenbourg]

Lol Warhammer is getting pretty on the nose with their irreverent silliness; I mean... "Giant Dwarfs"?

Nature:

Nature proving once again that it has no sense of dignity

Bonus content:

Check out Kurzgesagt

[currentsinbiology]

These giant viruses have more protein-making gear than any known virus

Two newly discovered giant viruses have the most comprehensive toolkit for assembling proteins found in any known virus. In a host cell, the viruses have the enzymes needed to wrangle all 20 standard amino acids, the building blocks of life.

Researchers dubbed the viruses Tupanvirus deep ocean and Tupanvirus soda lake, combining the name of the indigenous South American god of thunder, Tupan, with the extreme environment where each type of virus was found. The giant viruses are among the largest of their kind — up to 2.3 micrometers in length — which is about 23 times as long as a particle of HIV, the scientists report February 27 in Nature Communications.  

[gyrrakavian]

We Just Found Out Fat Cells Can Move!

Fat cells don't often receive praise in everyday life, but they probably deserve more credit, as they might be healing our wounds.

Hosted by: Hank Green

Okay, that’s really unexpected.

[mindblowingscience]

Giant viruses may just be small viruses that stole hosts’ genes

Genome sequences found in a waste-water plant seem to question the possibility that giant viruses are a whole new domain of life – but not everyone is convinced

Mysterious microbes that some consider a whole new domain of life might in fact be just normal viruses that pilfer genes from their host organisms.

Unlike normal viruses, which are tiny, giant viruses have hundreds of genes. This is one of the exotic features that has perplexed microbiologists, leading them to consider a new classification of life.

But a study now argues that these microbial giants are just small viruses that grew large by stealing genes from their hosts – so not that special after all. The conclusion is, however, hotly contested by scientists who identified the first recognised giant virus in 2003.

This first example, mimivirus, found in a water tower in Bradford, UK, has 1018 genes, compared with nine in a virus such as HIV. Since then, many more have been found, some of which are almost as large as bacterial cells, and some that even have other viruses that infect them.

More bizarrely, 50 to 90 per cent of the genes in giant viruses are not found anywhere else, and many are not even shared with other giant viruses.

Continue Reading.

[currentsinbiology]

Giant virus discovery sparks debate over tree of life!!

Evolutionary biologists have never known what to make of viruses, arguing over their origins for decades. But a newly discovered group of giant viruses, called Klosneuviruses, could be a 'missing link' that helps to settle the debate — or provoke even more discord.

In 2003, researchers reported that they had found giant viruses, which they named Mimiviruses, with genes that suggested their ancestors could live outside of a host cell1. The discovery split researchers into two camps. One group thinks viruses started out as self-sufficient organisms that became trapped inside other cells, eventually becoming parasitic and jettisoning genes they no longer needed. Another group views viruses as particles that snatched genetic material from host organisms over hundreds of millions of years.

A study2 published on 6 April in Science provides evidence for the latter idea, that viruses are made up of a patchwork of stolen parts. But it has already sparked controversy and is unlikely to settle the raucous debate.

La Scola, B. et al. Science 299, 2033 (2003).

An illustration of what a Klosneuvirus might look like. Ella Maru Studio

[strangefacthub]

Giant Virus Rewrites Infection Rules!

Introduction to a New Era of Viral InfectionDiscover what's happening now with Giant Virus Rewrites Infection Rules! Wait till you hear this - a giant virus is redefining the way we understand viral infections. This phenomenon has left scientists stunned, as it challenges the long-held views of how viruses interact with their host cells. Did you know that a virus relies on the host's translation machinery to replicate itself and become infectious? Translation efficiency partially depends on the usage of a specific mechanism that allows the virus to hijack the host cell's resources.The Secret Room: Uncovering the Giant Virus's StrategyA giant virus creates a specialized compartment within its host amoeba, enabling efficient translation of its own genetic material despite mismatched codon usage. This is a game-changer in the field of virology, as it shows that giant viruses can rewrite the rules of infection by creating a unique environment that favors their replication. Here's the crazy...

Read the full article here

[indianflash123]

Scientists Discover New Giant Viruses in Oceans Worldwide

In a landmark global study, scientists have uncovered hundreds of previously unknown giant viruses lurking in the world’s oceans. This discovery offers groundbreaking insights into the delicate balance of marine ecosystems. Led by marine biologist Benjamin Minch and virologist Mohammad Moniruzzaman of the University of Miami, the team used cutting-edge computer software. They scanned seawater…

Scientists Discover New Giant Viruses in Oceans Worldwide

[indianflashnews]

Scientists Discover New Giant Viruses in Oceans Worldwide

In a landmark global study, scientists have uncovered hundreds of previously unknown giant viruses lurking in the world’s oceans. This discovery offers groundbreaking insights into the delicate balance of marine ecosystems. Led by marine biologist Benjamin Minch and virologist Mohammad Moniruzzaman of the University of Miami, the team used cutting-edge computer software. They scanned seawater…

Scientists Discover New Giant Viruses in Oceans Worldwide