All articles tagged with #ancient pathogens
Originally Published 2 months ago — by NPR
Scientists analyzed DNA from teeth of soldiers buried in a Lithuanian mass grave from Napoleon's army, revealing infections with bacteria causing paratyphoid and relapsing fever, shedding light on the diseases that contributed to their demise during the harsh Russian campaign.
Originally Published 2 years ago — by Newsweek
Scientists are concerned that as the Earth's permafrost continues to thaw due to climate change, dormant deadly diseases and ancient pathogens could be unleashed. The permafrost contains trillions of microbes, including viruses and bacteria, some of which may have been on Earth long before humans existed. The thawing permafrost could release known infections like anthrax, as well as unknown ancient viruses to which we have no natural immunity. Insects like mosquitoes and ticks could also spread these viruses further. Additionally, the thawing permafrost could release hazardous substances like mercury, nuclear waste, and heavy metals. The rush for mining in the polar regions could accelerate the thawing process and increase the risk of spreading these diseases. Collaborative research projects with Russia have been halted due to the war in Ukraine, hindering our understanding of the permafrost. To mitigate these risks, a holistic approach to public health and slowing climate change is necessary.
Originally Published 2 years ago — by Livescience.com
As climate change causes permafrost to thaw, ancient pathogens that have been locked away for hundreds of thousands of years are starting to emerge, with around 1% of them posing a substantial risk to modern ecosystems. These dormant microbes, including bacteria and viruses, can reactivate and reproduce when warmer periods kickstart metabolic processes. The release of these pathogens, some of which have the potential to cause disease, can have catastrophic impacts on ecosystems that have not been exposed to them for so long. The study, based on computer simulations, highlights the need to understand and prepare for the potential risks posed by these ancient microbes. Further research is needed to clarify the actual risks to animals and humans in the real world.
Originally Published 2 years ago — by Study Finds
As Earth's climate continues to warm, ancient pathogens that have been frozen in glaciers, ice caps, and permafrost for millennia are being released into the environment. While the number of microorganisms being released is unfathomably large, the ecological risks they pose to modern ecosystems remain unknown. However, a new study published in PLOS Computational Biology reveals that the release of just one dormant pathogen could cause major environmental damage and widespread loss of host organisms. The simulations conducted in the study showed that invading pathogens often survived and evolved in modern biological communities, potentially leading to a reduction in host diversity. This unpredictable threat, previously confined to science fiction, could become a powerful driver of ecological change and highlights the need for society to understand and prepare for the potential risks.
Originally Published 2 years ago — by The Weather Channel
A new study has found that ancient pathogens released from melting permafrost pose a potential threat to microbial communities and human health. Using computer simulations, researchers found that these ancient invading pathogens could survive and evolve in modern communities, with about 3% becoming dominant. While most had little effect on the larger community, approximately 1% caused significant disruptions, leading to the death of up to one-third of host species or an increase in diversity by up to 12%. The study suggests that the risks posed by these time-traveling pathogens, previously confined to science fiction, could be powerful drivers of ecological change and threats to human health.
Originally Published 2 years ago — by Phys.org
As Earth's climate warms, melting ice is releasing ancient pathogens that have been frozen for millennia, posing a potential risk to modern ecosystems. Scientists have already revived bacteria and viruses from ancient ice, and outbreaks of diseases like anthrax have been linked to thawing permafrost. A new study calculates the ecological risks of releasing unpredictable ancient viruses and finds that just 1% of simulated releases of one dormant pathogen could cause major environmental damage and widespread loss of host organisms. While the risk to humans is uncertain, the potential for ice-bound viruses to enter the human population via zoonotic pathways is plausible.