Giant viruses have been discovered infecting microscopic algae in a rare lake in the Arctic Ocean, a new study finds.
found in these samples to identify a variety of viruses, including some belonging to a group of giant viruses called"One of the characteristics of viruses in general is how tiny they are, much smaller than the smallest bacterium, and carrying only a few genes to help them replicate," Thaler said.
"However, in the past 20 years, scientists discovered giant viruses that are as big as a bacterium, with genomes that could potentially carry many interesting genes." The researchers don't know how most of the viruses affect the microscopic algae, or even which viruses infect which organisms, according to a statement released byThe study authors hope to learn more detailed information about the ecosystem in the future, but they're in a race against time; rising"Epishelf lakes used to be more common in the Arctic, but now they are extremely rare," Thaler said.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Giant viruses are infecting algae in a floating lake in the ArcticThe epishelf lake floats on seawater in the Arctic Ocean.
Read more »
Weekly Music Roundup: Qasim Naqvi, Arctic Monkeys, Montparnasse Musique | Soundcheck | New SoundsNew York City-based singer-songwriter S. Raekwon has snuck a treat into the end of the summer with an eight-minute EP with the seasonally-appropriate title, 'I Like It When You Smile.'
Read more »
Why Arctic wildfires are releasing more carbon than everSmoke from hundreds of wildfires darkened skies over the Alaskan Interior this summer, with the state experiencing its fastest start to the fire season on record amid hot and dry conditions.
Read more »
Assassin's Creed Maker Ubisoft Plunges 16% After Chinese Giant Tencent Ups StakeChinese tech giant Tencent increased its stake in Ubisoft via an investment in an entity controlled by the Guillemot family who founded the French gaming firm.
Read more »
The iPhone 14 Pro ditches the notch for a giant hole in the screen | EngadgetThe iPhone 14 Pro is here, and it's one of Apple's most significant upgrades in years..
Read more »
China Builds Giant Walking Military RobotChina claims to have built the 'world's largest quadruped bionic robot,' a gigantic 'mechanical yak' that can carry over 350 pounds at a shambling 6.2 mph.
Read more »