http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/80beats/2012/04/23/mythological-beast-of-a-virus-found-in-californian-hot-spring/ Mon, 22 Apr 2013 21:34:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.2 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/80beats/2012/04/23/mythological-beast-of-a-virus-found-in-californian-hot-spring/#comment-32532 Alex K Fri, 27 Apr 2012 07:50:02 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/80beats/?p=36653#comment-32532 This specific virus wouldn't pose a particular threat to human beings at all (hooray). The virus in discussion was discovered in archaea extremophiles--which live in high acidity/temperature lakes in Lassen ntl. park. Viral vectors like this one do not possess the necessary "information" or attachment proteins to infect eukaryotes. Another thing to note is that not all viruses are deleterious to it's host organism. Many of the "positive" genetic advances found in human beings can even be attributed to the influence of viruses! This specific virus wouldn’t pose a particular threat to human beings at all (hooray). The virus in discussion was discovered in archaea extremophiles–which live in high acidity/temperature lakes in Lassen ntl. park. Viral vectors like this one do not possess the necessary “information” or attachment proteins to infect eukaryotes. Another thing to note is that not all viruses are deleterious to it’s host organism. Many of the “positive” genetic advances found in human beings can even be attributed to the influence of viruses!

]]> http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/80beats/2012/04/23/mythological-beast-of-a-virus-found-in-californian-hot-spring/#comment-32531 Darrel Brown Wed, 25 Apr 2012 18:40:21 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/80beats/?p=36653#comment-32531 I am wondering if beyond the pure science of this "beast" could this particular virus pose a new health threat to humans? If yes then in what manner. Furthermore, does this discovery suggest that perhaps existing virus threats could perahps "go chimera" on us? I am wondering if beyond the pure science of this “beast” could this particular virus pose a new health threat to humans? If yes then in what manner. Furthermore, does this discovery suggest that perhaps existing virus threats could perahps “go chimera” on us?

]]>