https://www.sciencedaily.com/news/plants_animals/viruses/ Virology News. Read current research on the virus structure, specific viruses (H5N1 flu, West Nile virus, HIV and more) and responses. en-us Fri, 06 Mar 2026 02:19:49 EST Fri, 06 Mar 2026 02:19:49 EST 60 https://www.sciencedaily.com/images/scidaily-logo-rss.png https://www.sciencedaily.com/news/plants_animals/viruses/ For more science news, visit ScienceDaily. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/03/260304184221.htm Scientists have uncovered a crucial weakness in the malaria parasite that could open the door to new treatments. Researchers identified a protein called Aurora-related kinase 1 (ARK1) that acts like a traffic controller during the parasite’s unusual cell division process, ensuring its genetic material is properly separated as it multiplies. When scientists switched off ARK1 in laboratory experiments, the parasite could no longer replicate correctly and failed to complete its life cycle in both humans and mosquitoes—effectively halting its ability to spread. Thu, 05 Mar 2026 00:03:04 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/03/260304184221.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/02/260227061824.htm For decades, scientists believed a fertilized egg’s DNA began as a shapeless mass, only organizing itself once the embryo switched on its genes. But new research reveals that the genome is already carefully arranged in three dimensions long before that critical activation step, known as Zygotic Genome Activation. Using a powerful new method called Pico-C, researchers captured this hidden DNA architecture in unprecedented detail, showing that a complex scaffold is built early to control which genes will later turn on. Fri, 27 Feb 2026 06:18:24 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/02/260227061824.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/02/260219040814.htm A giant virus discovered in Japan is adding fuel to the provocative idea that viruses helped create complex life. Named ushikuvirus, it infects amoebae and shows unique traits that connect different families of giant DNA viruses. Its unusual way of hijacking and disrupting the host cell’s nucleus offers fresh insight into how viruses may have influenced the evolution of the cell nucleus itself. The finding deepens the mystery of viruses—and their possible role in life’s biggest leap. Thu, 19 Feb 2026 22:28:24 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/02/260219040814.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/02/260219040749.htm A major breakthrough could help save the world’s bananas from a devastating disease. Scientists have discovered the exact genetic region in a wild banana that provides resistance to Fusarium wilt Subtropical Race 4 — a destructive strain that threatens Cavendish bananas worldwide. While this wild banana isn’t edible, the discovery gives breeders a powerful genetic roadmap to develop future bananas that are both delicious and naturally protected from this deadly pathogen. Thu, 19 Feb 2026 09:43:15 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/02/260219040749.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/02/260211073029.htm For the first time, deadly H5N1 bird flu has been confirmed as the cause of a wildlife die-off in Antarctica, killing more than 50 skuas during the 2023–2024 summers. Researchers on an Antarctic expedition found the virus ravaging these powerful seabirds, with some suffering severe neurological symptoms—twisted necks, circling behavior, and even falling from the sky. While penguins and fur seals were examined, skuas emerged as the primary victims, especially on Beak Island, where a mass die-off occurred. Thu, 12 Feb 2026 01:31:45 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/02/260211073029.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/02/260211073016.htm Avian malaria is spreading across Hawaiʻi in a way scientists didn’t fully grasp until now: nearly every forest bird species can help keep the disease alive. Researchers found the parasite at 63 of 64 sites statewide, revealing that both native honeycreepers and introduced birds can quietly pass the infection to mosquitoes—even when carrying only tiny amounts of it. Because infected birds can remain contagious for months or even years, transmission keeps simmering almost everywhere mosquitoes exist. Wed, 11 Feb 2026 08:04:23 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/02/260211073016.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/02/260208011017.htm Your gut is home to trillions of bacteria that constantly “sense” their surroundings to survive and thrive. New research shows that beneficial gut microbes, especially common Clostridia bacteria, can detect a surprisingly wide range of chemical signals produced during digestion, including byproducts of fats, proteins, sugars, and even DNA. These microbes use specialized sensors to move toward valuable nutrients, with lactate and formate standing out as especially important fuel sources. Sun, 08 Feb 2026 15:56:24 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/02/260208011017.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260131084131.htm Researchers in Bangladesh have identified a bat-borne virus, Pteropine orthoreovirus, in patients who were initially suspected of having Nipah virus but tested negative. All had recently consumed raw date-palm sap, a known pathway for bat-related infections. Genetic analysis confirmed live virus in several samples, pointing to active human infection. The finding raises concerns that dangerous bat viruses may be circulating undetected alongside Nipah. Sun, 01 Feb 2026 01:46:23 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260131084131.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260127112139.htm What looked like a pearl necklace on a tiny spider turned out to be parasitic mite larvae. Scientists identified the mites as a new species, marking the first record of its family in Brazil. The larvae attach to juvenile spiders and feed on lymph through a weak spot in the spider’s body. The discovery came from long-stored specimens, suggesting many more species remain hidden in collections. Wed, 28 Jan 2026 01:16:02 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260127112139.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260118064637.htm When scientists sent bacteria-infecting viruses to the International Space Station, the microbes did not behave the same way they do on Earth. In microgravity, infections still occurred, but both viruses and bacteria evolved differently over time. Genetic changes emerged that altered how viruses attach to bacteria and how bacteria defend themselves. The findings could help improve phage therapies against drug-resistant infections. Sun, 18 Jan 2026 09:54:24 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260118064637.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260115022754.htm In the rapidly disappearing Atlantic Forest, mosquitoes are adapting to a human-dominated landscape. Scientists found that many species now prefer feeding on people rather than the forest’s diverse wildlife. This behavior dramatically raises the risk of spreading dangerous viruses such as dengue and Zika. The findings reveal how deforestation can quietly reshape disease dynamics. Thu, 15 Jan 2026 02:27:54 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260115022754.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260112001032.htm A groundbreaking cattle genome has given researchers their clearest look yet at what makes Wagyu beef so special. By uncovering hundreds of new genes and hidden genetic variations, scientists can now pinpoint traits linked to marbling, health, and productivity with far greater accuracy. The advance could boost profits for beef producers while improving breeding outcomes across many cattle breeds. It also sets the stage for even more comprehensive livestock genomes in the future. Mon, 12 Jan 2026 02:01:13 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260112001032.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260107225541.htm DNA doesn’t just sit still inside our cells — it folds, loops, and rearranges in ways that shape how genes behave. Researchers have now mapped this hidden architecture in unprecedented detail, showing how genome structure changes from cell to cell and over time. These insights reveal why many disease-linked mutations outside genes can still cause harm. The findings could speed up the discovery of genetic risks and inspire new ways to target diseases. Thu, 08 Jan 2026 21:16:11 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260107225541.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260106224625.htm Scientists have created a new way to watch plants breathe—live and in high definition—while tracking exactly how much carbon and water they exchange with the air. The breakthrough could help unlock crops that grow smarter, stronger, and more drought-resistant. Wed, 07 Jan 2026 02:17:23 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260106224625.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251221043237.htm A Brazilian study has confirmed that Joseph’s Coat, a plant used for generations in folk medicine, can significantly reduce inflammation and arthritis symptoms in lab tests. Researchers observed less swelling, healthier joints, and signs of tissue protection. Just as important, the extract showed a promising safety profile at tested doses. The discovery could pave the way for new plant-based anti-inflammatory treatments. Mon, 22 Dec 2025 00:46:08 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251221043237.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251219093322.htm Balanophora is a plant that abandoned photosynthesis long ago and now lives entirely as a parasite on tree roots, hidden in dark forest undergrowth. Scientists surveying rare populations across East Asian islands uncovered how its cellular machinery shrank but didn’t disappear, revealing unexpected similarities to parasites like malaria. Some island species even reproduce without sex, cloning themselves to colonize new habitats. This strange survival strategy comes with risks, leaving the plant highly vulnerable to habitat loss. Sat, 20 Dec 2025 11:39:15 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251219093322.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251217082501.htm California researchers are preparing for the possible return of the New World screwworm, a parasitic fly that feeds on living flesh and once devastated U.S. livestock. By monitoring traps and educating veterinarians and farmers, they hope to stop the pest before it gains a foothold. Wed, 17 Dec 2025 08:25:01 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251217082501.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251214100921.htm The study reveals how Balanophora plants function despite abandoning photosynthesis and, in some species, sexual reproduction. Their plastid genomes shrank dramatically in a shared ancestor, yet the plastids remain vital. Asexual reproduction appears to have evolved repeatedly, helping the plants survive in isolated, humid forest habitats. The research highlights surprising resilience in these bizarre parasitic species. Sun, 14 Dec 2025 10:09:21 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251214100921.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251128050503.htm Researchers discovered why bird flu can survive temperatures that stop human flu in its tracks. A key gene, PB1, gives avian viruses the ability to replicate even at fever-level heat. Mice experiments confirmed that fever cripples human-origin flu but not avian strains, especially those with avian-like PB1. These findings highlight how gene swapping could fuel future pandemics. Fri, 28 Nov 2025 07:37:38 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251128050503.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251124094334.htm University of Queensland researchers visualized yellow fever virus particles at near-atomic detail, uncovering major structural differences between vaccine and virulent strains. The insights could lead to better vaccines and treatments for yellow fever and related mosquito-borne viruses. Thu, 27 Nov 2025 09:30:23 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251124094334.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251122044333.htm Worker bees stage coordinated revolts when viral infections weaken their queen and lower her pheromone output. This disruption drives many of the queen failures that beekeepers struggle with today. Field trials show that synthetic pheromone blends can prevent untimely supersedure, opening a path to more stable hive management. Sat, 22 Nov 2025 11:56:18 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251122044333.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251117095635.htm Scientists mapped the Bas63 bacteriophage in unprecedented detail, uncovering how its tail machinery infects bacteria. The structure reveals rare whisker-collar features and distant evolutionary ties reaching back billions of years. These insights could guide new phage therapies and innovations in medicine, agriculture, and industry. Mon, 17 Nov 2025 10:32:09 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251117095635.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251109032410.htm In Death Valley’s relentless heat, Tidestromia oblongifolia doesn’t just survive—it thrives. Michigan State University scientists discovered that the plant can quickly adjust its photosynthetic machinery to endure extreme temperatures that would halt most species. Its cells reorganize, its genes switch on protective functions, and it even reshapes its chloroplasts to keep producing energy. The findings could guide the creation of crops capable of withstanding future heat waves. Sun, 09 Nov 2025 04:01:43 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251109032410.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251105050710.htm Researchers discovered fossil evidence showing that spionid worms, parasites of modern oysters, were already infecting bivalves 480 million years ago. High-resolution scans revealed their distinctive question mark-shaped burrows. The finding highlights a parasitic behavior that has remained unchanged for nearly half a billion years. Wed, 05 Nov 2025 07:52:56 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251105050710.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251104094136.htm Researchers have, for the first time, estimated how quickly E. coli bacteria can spread between people — and one strain moves as fast as swine flu. Using genomic data from the UK and Norway, scientists modeled bacterial transmission rates and discovered key differences between strains. Their work offers a new way to monitor and control antibiotic-resistant bacteria in both communities and hospitals. Tue, 04 Nov 2025 23:25:35 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251104094136.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251102205009.htm Penn State scientists uncovered an ancient bacterial defense where dormant viral DNA helps bacteria fight new viral threats. The enzyme PinQ flips bacterial genes to create protective proteins that block infection. Understanding this mechanism could lead to breakthroughs in antivirals, antibiotic alternatives, and industrial microbiology. Mon, 03 Nov 2025 09:05:12 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251102205009.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251102205006.htm On the Canary Islands, scientists discovered that the spider Dysdera tilosensis has halved its genome size in just a few million years—defying traditional evolutionary theories that predict larger, more repetitive genomes in island species. This unexpected downsizing, revealed through advanced genomic sequencing, shows that despite its smaller DNA, the island spider is genetically more diverse than its continental relatives. Sun, 02 Nov 2025 21:48:10 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251102205006.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251101000348.htm Researchers discovered that soil microbes in Kansas carry drought “memories” that affect how plants grow and survive. Native plants showed stronger responses to these microbial legacies than crops like corn, hinting at co-evolution over time. Genetic analysis revealed a key gene tied to drought tolerance, potentially guiding biotech efforts to enhance crop resilience. The work connects ecology, genetics, and agriculture in a novel way. Sun, 02 Nov 2025 00:47:40 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251101000348.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251026021737.htm A team of researchers has developed a floral-scented fungus that tricks mosquitoes into approaching and dying. The fungus emits longifolene, a natural scent that irresistibly draws them in. It’s harmless to humans, inexpensive to produce, and remains potent for months. This innovative biological control could be crucial as mosquitoes spread with climate change. Mon, 27 Oct 2025 00:32:43 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251026021737.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251023031621.htm MIT researchers discovered that the genome’s 3D structure doesn’t vanish during cell division as previously thought. Instead, tiny loops called microcompartments remain (and even strengthen) while chromosomes condense. These loops may explain the brief surge of gene activity that occurs during mitosis. The finding redefines how scientists understand the balance between structure and function in dividing cells. Fri, 24 Oct 2025 03:08:39 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251023031621.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251016223110.htm EMBL researchers created SDR-seq, a next-generation tool that decodes both DNA and RNA from the same cell. It finally opens access to non-coding regions, where most disease-associated genetic variants lie. By revealing how these variants affect gene activity, scientists can better understand complex diseases and develop improved diagnostic tools. Sat, 18 Oct 2025 02:01:00 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251016223110.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251006051113.htm Birds across the globe independently evolved a shared warning call against parasites, blending instinct and learning in a remarkable evolutionary pattern. The finding offers a rare glimpse into how cooperation and communication systems evolve across species. Mon, 06 Oct 2025 05:11:13 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251006051113.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/09/250923021207.htm Researchers have shown that stress and retrovirus levels are tightly linked to disease in koalas. High KoRV loads make koalas more vulnerable to chlamydia, worsening epidemics in stressed populations. Protecting habitats, careful breeding, and antiviral trials are now being pursued to give koalas a fighting chance at survival. Tue, 23 Sep 2025 21:56:19 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/09/250923021207.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/09/250919085246.htm Insects are essential for ecosystems, but mounting evidence suggests many populations are collapsing under modern pressures. A new study used cutting-edge genomic techniques on museum specimens to track centuries of ant biodiversity across Fiji. The results reveal that nearly 80% of native ants are in decline, with losses intensifying in the past few hundred years as human activities expanded. Sat, 20 Sep 2025 20:45:02 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/09/250919085246.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/09/250914205835.htm Researchers discovered two new parasitic wasp species living in the U.S., tracing their origins back to Europe and uncovering clues about how they spread. Their arrival raises fresh questions about biodiversity, ecological risks, and the role of citizen science in tracking hidden species. Mon, 15 Sep 2025 03:08:30 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/09/250914205835.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/09/250913232938.htm Sweetpotato, a critical food crop for millions, has finally had its genetic code fully decoded after decades of mystery. Scientists unraveled its extraordinarily complex genome of six chromosome sets, revealing a hybrid origin stitched together from multiple wild ancestors. This achievement not only sheds light on sweetpotato’s remarkable adaptability and resilience but also provides powerful tools for breeders to create higher-yielding, more nutritious, and climate-resistant varieties. Sun, 14 Sep 2025 10:18:14 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/09/250913232938.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/09/250913112506.htm Not all barnacles just sit on rocks and ships. Some invade crabs, growing like a parasitic root system that hijacks their bodies. A mysterious group called y-larvae has baffled scientists for over a century, with no known adult stage. Genetic evidence now reveals they’re related to barnacles and may also be parasites — lurking unseen inside other creatures. Sat, 13 Sep 2025 11:37:08 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/09/250913112506.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/08/250828002417.htm Spicomellus afer, a newly analyzed Jurassic ankylosaur from Morocco, is overturning scientists’ understanding of dinosaur evolution. Unlike any other known creature, it carried a collar of meter-long spikes fused directly to its ribs, along with an early form of tail weaponry that predates similar adaptations by over 30 million years. These bizarre features suggest its armor may have been used for show as well as protection, before shifting toward defense in later ankylosaurs. Sat, 30 Aug 2025 11:19:40 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/08/250828002417.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/08/250827010729.htm Deep beneath the Pacific Ocean, a bright yellow worm thrives where no other animals dare, in toxic hydrothermal vents saturated with arsenic and sulfide. By cleverly turning these poisons into a golden mineral once prized by Renaissance painters, the worm neutralizes the deadly threat and survives in one of Earth’s most hostile habitats. Scientists say this unusual “fighting poison with poison” strategy could change how we think about life’s resilience in extreme environments. Wed, 27 Aug 2025 09:31:42 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/08/250827010729.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/08/250820000749.htm Two independent research teams have unveiled near-complete reference genomes of the central bearded dragon, a reptile with the rare ability to change sex depending on both chromosomes and nest temperature. Using next-generation sequencing technologies from China and Australia, the projects uncovered the long-sought genetic basis of sex determination in this lizard. Wed, 20 Aug 2025 04:07:36 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/08/250820000749.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/08/250816113522.htm Scientists have engineered a groundbreaking cancer treatment that uses bacteria to smuggle viruses directly into tumors, bypassing the immune system and delivering a powerful one-two punch against cancer cells. The bacteria act like Trojan horses, carrying viral payloads to cancer’s core, where the virus can spread and destroy malignant cells. Built-in safety features ensure the virus can’t multiply outside the tumor, offering a promising pathway for safe, targeted therapy. Sun, 17 Aug 2025 10:28:53 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/08/250816113522.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/08/250811104224.htm Scientists have discovered a parasite that can sneak into your skin without you feeling a thing. The worm, Schistosoma mansoni, has evolved a way to switch off the body’s pain and itch signals, letting it invade undetected. By blocking certain nerve pathways, it avoids triggering the immune system’s alarms. This stealth tactic not only helps the worm survive, but could inspire new kinds of pain treatments and even preventative creams to protect people from infection. Tue, 12 Aug 2025 01:45:18 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/08/250811104224.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/08/250803233059.htm An intriguing new study reveals that over 80% of parasites found in the ancient poo of New Zealand’s endangered kākāpō have vanished, even though the bird itself is still hanging on. Researchers discovered this dramatic parasite decline by analyzing droppings dating back 1,500 years, uncovering an unexpected wave of coextinctions that occurred long before recent conservation efforts began. These hidden losses suggest that as we fight to save charismatic species, we may be silently erasing whole communities of organisms that play crucial, yet misunderstood, ecological roles. Mon, 04 Aug 2025 00:16:42 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/08/250803233059.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250720034029.htm What scientists once dismissed as junk DNA may actually be some of the most powerful code in our genome. A new international study reveals that ancient viral DNA buried in our genes plays an active role in controlling how other genes are turned on or off, especially during early human development. These sequences, originally from long-extinct viruses, have evolved to act like tiny genetic switches. Using new analysis tools and large-scale experiments, researchers discovered that certain viral DNA fragments are especially strong at activating genes and may even have helped shape what makes humans different from other primates. Sun, 20 Jul 2025 03:40:29 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250720034029.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250711224330.htm A cat named Pepper has once again helped scientists discover a new virus—this time a mysterious orthoreovirus found in a shrew. Researchers from the University of Florida, including virologist John Lednicky, identified this strain during unrelated testing and published its genome. Although once thought to be harmless, these viruses are increasingly linked to serious diseases in humans and animals. With previous discoveries also pointing to a pattern of viral emergence in wildlife, scientists stress the need for more surveillance—and Pepper remains an unlikely but reliable viral scout. Sat, 12 Jul 2025 10:58:37 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250711224330.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250706230313.htm Scientists have decoded the sea spider’s genome for the first time, revealing how its strangely shaped body—with organs in its legs and barely any abdomen—may be tied to a missing gene. The detailed DNA map shows this ancient creature evolved differently from its spider and scorpion cousins, lacking genome duplications seen in those species. With new gene activity data, researchers now have a powerful tool to explore how sea spiders grow, regenerate, and evolved into some of the oddest arthropods on Earth. Mon, 07 Jul 2025 04:49:54 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250706230313.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250704032922.htm Scientists have discovered that the bacteria behind Lyme disease and anaplasmosis have a sneaky way of surviving inside ticks—they hijack the tick’s own cell functions to steal cholesterol they need to grow. By tapping into a built-in protein pathway, the bacteria keep themselves alive until they can infect a new host. The research opens the door to new methods of stopping these diseases before ticks ever get the chance to bite. A new web tool also reveals that this trick might be used by other blood-feeding bugs too. Fri, 04 Jul 2025 07:57:33 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250704032922.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250625075020.htm Two newly discovered viruses lurking in bats are dangerously similar to Nipah and Hendra, both of which have caused deadly outbreaks in humans. Found in fruit bats near villages, these viruses may spread through urine-contaminated fruit, raising serious concerns. And that’s just the start—scientists found 20 other unknown viruses hiding in bat kidneys. Wed, 25 Jun 2025 10:47:25 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250625075020.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250618094452.htm New research is shaking up our understanding of evolution by revealing that some species may not evolve gradually at all. Instead, scientists discovered that certain marine worms experienced an explosive genetic makeover when they transitioned to life on land over 200 million years ago. Their entire genome broke into pieces and was randomly reassembled an event so extreme it stunned researchers. This radical shift supports the theory of "punctuated equilibrium," where species remain unchanged for ages and then suddenly leap forward. Wed, 18 Jun 2025 09:44:52 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250618094452.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250615021307.htm Aphid-hunting wasps can reproduce with or without sex, challenging previous assumptions. This unique flexibility could boost sustainable pest control if its hidden drawbacks can be managed. Sun, 15 Jun 2025 02:13:07 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250615021307.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250606193228.htm Scientists have uncovered over 200 new giant viruses lurking in ocean waters that not only help shape marine ecosystems but also manipulate photosynthesis in algae. These massive viruses once nearly invisible to science are now being exposed using powerful supercomputing and a new tool called BEREN. By studying these viruses, researchers hope to predict harmful algal blooms and even explore biotech applications from the novel enzymes found in these viral genomes. Fri, 06 Jun 2025 19:32:28 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250606193228.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250603114634.htm A new study shows how person-to-person variation in antibody immunity plays a key role in shaping which influenza (flu) strains dominate in a population. Tue, 03 Jun 2025 11:46:34 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250603114634.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250530123947.htm Laboratory could improve crop resilience In a discovery three decades in the making, scientists have acquired detailed knowledge about the internal structures and mode of regulation for a specialized protein and are proceeding to develop tools that can capitalize on its ability to help plants combat a wide range of diseases. The work, which exploits a natural process where plant cells die on purpose to help the host plant stay healthy, is expected to have wide applications in the agricultural sector, offering new ways to protect major food crops from a variety of devastating diseases, the scientists said. Fri, 30 May 2025 12:39:47 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250530123947.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250529124444.htm New HIV research shows that small changes in the virus affect how quickly or slowly it replicates and how easily it can reawaken in the body. These insights bring researchers closer to finding ways to flush out the dormant virus and eliminate it for good. Thu, 29 May 2025 12:44:44 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250529124444.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250529124215.htm Scientists analyzed almost 200 cannabis genomes to create the most comprehensive, high-quality, detailed genetic atlas of the plant to date. The atlas reveals unprecedented diversity and complexity within the species, sets the stage for advances in cannabis-based agriculture, medicine, and industry, and builds on a 10,000-year long relationship between humans and cannabis, showing that cannabis can be as important as other crops like corn or wheat. Thu, 29 May 2025 12:42:15 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250529124215.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250528214228.htm A study finds small-scale tree cover in Costa Rica boosts biodiversity while limiting dangerous mosquito species. Wed, 28 May 2025 21:42:28 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250528214228.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250528132118.htm Parasitic worms that infect humans are not interbreeding with those that infect cattle as previously thought. This is good news for when it comes to controlling schistosomiasis, a disease caused by these worms that affects more than 200 million people globally. Wed, 28 May 2025 13:21:18 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250528132118.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250528131827.htm A team identified herpes virus saimiri, which infects the T cells of squirrel monkeys, as a source of proteins that activate pathways in T cells that are needed to promote T cell survival. Wed, 28 May 2025 13:18:27 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250528131827.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250527180932.htm A new study reveals the biological secret to the Zika virus's infectious success: Zika uses host cells' own 'self-care' system of clearing away useless molecules to suppress the host proteins that the virus has employed to get into those cells in the first place. Tue, 27 May 2025 18:09:32 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250527180932.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250527124123.htm In the long battle to create an effective HIV vaccine, scientists have made a major leap forward. A new study shows that a series of vaccines can coax the immune system to produce powerful antibodies capable of blocking a wide range of HIV strains -- including those that are typically the hardest to stop. Tue, 27 May 2025 12:41:23 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250527124123.htm