"Discovery of 13 New Papillomaviruses in Antarctica Amid "Zombie Virus" Fears"
Originally Published 1 year ago — by NDTV
Researchers from Arizona State University discovered 13 new viruses from the papillomavirus family in the Antarctic, with two capable of infecting humans, during a study of Weddell seals. The findings, published in the journal Virology, aim to aid future understanding of papillomavirus evolution. Lead author Melanie Regney emphasized the significance of studying Antarctica's virome due to its pristine nature and minimal human impact. The team's genome sequencing revealed 13 novel papillomaviruses, 11 of which are entirely new viral types, contributing to the broader understanding of viruses in the environment.