Tag

Obelisks

All articles tagged with #obelisks

science1 month ago•7 min saved

RNA Obelisks in Humans Blur the Line Between Living and Nonliving

Researchers report thousands of circular, non-coding RNA structures, dubbed obelisks, found across human saliva and gut microbiomes. They behave like replicators but do not resemble viruses, plasmids, or other known genetic elements, lacking protein-coding capacity and a protective shell. Their replication mechanism remains unknown, and they defy existing biological classifications, suggesting a possible new life-like class within the microbiome. There is no evidence of harm to humans yet, but their ubiquity hints at ecological or evolutionary significance and a need for new taxonomic frameworks.

via Indian Defence Review|

#circular-rna #microbiome #obelisks

science1 month ago•29 min saved

Obelisks: Tiny RNA life forms found living inside the human microbiome

Researchers report the discovery of obelisks—tiny circular RNA life forms inside human-associated bacteria in the mouth and gut—potentially a new class of RNA-based life that challenges virus/viroid definitions, with health implications still unknown; the findings were shared on bioRxiv and Royal Society Open Science.

via Earth.com|

#circular-rna #microbiome #obelisks

science2 months ago•4 min saved

Scientists Find Unclassified Life Forms Inside Humans

Scientists have discovered a new class of circular, protein-free RNA structures called obelisks in bacteria within the human microbiome, which do not match known viruses or genetic elements, potentially offering insights into early life and microbial ecology.

via The Daily Galaxy|

#circular-rna #microbiome #novel-life-forms

science2 years ago•2 min saved

"Discovery: Human Body Harbors New Obelisk 'Lifeform'"

Stanford University researchers have discovered tiny virus-like 'lifeforms' called obelisks inside human mouths and guts, smaller than viruses and capable of transferring information to cells. These rod-shaped entities, resembling viroids, have been found in various demographics worldwide and are now the subject of research to determine their function and impact on human health.

via Yahoo Life|

#genetic-material #human-microbiome #obelisks

science2 years ago•2 min saved

"Discovery: Human Body Harbors New Obelisk 'Lifeform'"

Stanford University researchers have discovered tiny virus-like 'lifeforms' called obelisks inside human mouths and guts, smaller than viruses but capable of transferring information to cells. These rod-shaped entities, found in nearly 30,000 distinct types, are neither standard life nor viroids, and their purpose remains unknown. Scientists are now investigating their relationship with host cells, bacteria, and fungi to determine their impact on human health.

via Yahoo Life|

#genetic-material #human-microbiome #obelisks

science2 years ago•2 min saved

"Discovery: Virus-Like Entities Uncovered in Human Gut Microbes"

Researchers have discovered a new class of virus-like genetic material, named Obelisks, in the human microbiome, with potential implications for understanding the evolution of genetic molecules and viruses. These mysterious entities have been found in about 10 percent of human microbiomes and appear to be present in different areas of the body. While their source and impact on host cells remain unclear, they may represent a new class of protein and could potentially resemble RNA plasmids rather than traditional viruses.

via Slashdot|

#genetic-sequences #human-digestive-system #microbiome

science2 years ago•3 min saved

"Virus-like 'Obelisks' Discovered in Human Gut Microbes"

Researchers have discovered virus-like structures called "obelisks" in the microbiomes of human mouths and guts, which are distinct from traditional viruses and viroids. These obelisks, composed of unique RNA sequences, were found in about 7% of gut bacteria and half of mouth bacteria microbiomes analyzed. The findings, though preliminary, suggest a previously unknown layer of the microbial world and raise questions about their origins, potential effects on human health, and evolutionary relationship to viruses.

via Gizmodo|

#human-health #microbial-world #microbiomes

science2 years ago•3 min saved

"Uncovering Bizarre RNA Entities in the Human Gut Microbes"

Scientists have discovered tiny bits of RNA, called "Obelisks," that are even smaller than viruses and colonize the bacteria inside human guts and mouths. These scraps of genetic material are among the smallest known elements to transfer information that can be read by a cell, and their sequences are new to science. The study suggests that Obelisks are widespread in the bacterial world and not just in more complex organisms, and their potential impact on human health and the microbiome balance remains unknown.

via Nature.com|

#bacteria #microbiome #obelisks

science2 years ago•3 min saved

"Virus-Like 'Obelisks' Discovered in Human Gut Microbes"

Scientists have discovered a new class of virus-like entities called "Obelisks" in the human gut and mouth, which are a type of viroid that likely infects bacteria. These viroids, named for their predicted thin rod-like shape, were found in nearly 7% of human gut gene-activity summaries and in about 53% of mouth gene-activity summaries. While the specific impact on human health is still unknown, the discovery may shed light on the influence of viroids on the human microbiome and contribute to the ongoing debate about the evolution of viruses and viroids.

via Livescience.com|

#bacteria #human-microbiome #obelisks

science2 years ago•2 min saved

"Discovery of Enigmatic 'Obelisks' in Human Gut and Mouth Raises Questions"

Scientists have discovered a new class of virus-like entities called "Obelisks" in the human gut and mouth, which are tiny loops of RNA that may influence gene activity within the human microbiome. These viroids, found in nearly 7% of human fecal samples and 53% of mouth samples, were identified in a preprint study and are predicted to infect bacteria. While their impact on human health is still unknown, this discovery may shed light on the evolution of viruses and viroids.

via Yahoo Life|

#human-microbiome #microbiome #obelisks

science2 years ago•2 min saved

"Discovery: New Life Form Discovered in Human Digestive System"

Researchers have discovered a new class of genetic material, named Obelisks, in the human microbiome that may not be viruses at all but an entirely new group of entities. These mysterious bits of genetic material have no detectable sequences or structural similarities known to any other biological agents. The Obelisks' genetic sequences are around 1,000 characters in size and have been found in about 10 percent of human microbiomes. They appear to include codes for a new class of protein called Oblins, which may be involved in the entity's replication process. The researchers suspect they may be more closely related to RNA plasmids than viruses.

via ScienceAlert|

#genetic-material #microbiome #obelisks