Scientists have found a novel virus at the bottom of the ocean
Scientists have discovered a new virus in the Pacific that is thought to be the deepest ever found in Earth’s oceans. The so-called bacteriophage virus infects and replicates inside bacteria, and was found in the Mariana Trench, which is the Pacific’s deepest point. Bacteriophages are among the world’s most abundant life forms, and are important for regulating population sizes in the oceans and releasing nutrients. This one, the catchily named vB_HmeY_H4907, was picked up at 8,900 metres below sea level. That is still some way off the 11,000 metre floor of the trench. Min Wang, a marine virologist from the Ocean University of China, said: “To our best knowledge, this is the deepest known isolated phage in the global ocean.” “Wherever there’s life, you can bet there are regulators at work. Viruses, in this case.” Scientists think this virus is likely to be distributed widely in the world’s oceans, despite the fact it has only been discovered. It has a similar structure to its host bacteria group halomonas. These are usually found in sediments and geyser-like openings on the seafloor. They also think the virus is lysogenic, which means it infects the host but does not kill it. Dr Wang said the discovery could inform further research about how viruses survive in the world’s harshest environments. “Extreme environments offer optimal prospects for unearthing novel viruses,” he added. The virus was found in the so-called hadal zone, which the study’s authors said is “the planet’s least explored and most mysterious environment, and it is the deepest habitat for life on Earth’s surface”. The area is named after Hades, the Greek god of the underworld. Researchers wrote in the study: “These findings expand our understanding of the phylogenetic diversity and genomic features of hadal lysogenic phages, provide essential information for further studies of phage-host interactions and evolution, and may reveal new insights into the lysogenic lifestyles of viruses inhabiting the hadal ocean.” The findings were published in the journal Microbiology Spectrum. Sign up to our free Indy100 weekly newsletter Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.
2023-09-21 20:50
Saudi Arabia getting closer to Israel normalisation deal, prince says
An agreement creating ties between the two historical foes would mark a huge regional shift.
2023-09-21 20:48
US applications for jobless benefits fall to lowest level in nearly 8 months
U.S. applications for unemployment benefits fell to their lowest level in eight months last week as the labor market continues to show strength in the face of elevated interest rates
2023-09-21 20:47
Daniel Levy explains details of Tottenham's 'buy-back clause' for Harry Kane
Daniel Levy has explained the details of Tottenham's buy-back clause for Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane.
2023-09-21 20:47
Turkey’s central bank hikes interest rates again in further shift in economic policies
Turkey's central bank has raised its key interest rate by 5 percentage points to 30%
2023-09-21 20:46
South Africa to clear Covid lockdown criminal records
More than 400,000 people were arrested for breaking some of the world's toughest lockdown restrictions.
2023-09-21 20:29
IOTech Partners with Advantech to Speed Adoption of Advanced Technologies in Manufacturing and other Industrial Sectors
SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sep 21, 2023--
2023-09-21 20:28
Lack of Cloud Management Continues to Drive Significant Waste of IT Resources: Aptum Study
TORONTO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sep 21, 2023--
2023-09-21 20:28
More military personnel head to the US-Mexico border as officials describe an increase in migrant crossings
The Defense Department is ramping up resources at the US-Mexico border as officials describe a surge in border crossings in places including Eagle Pass, Texas, where the mayor has declared a state of emergency.
2023-09-21 20:28
Oil falls as US rate hike expectations offset tight supply outlook
By Paul Carsten LONDON (Reuters) -Oil prices fell on Thursday, after posting the largest decline in a month in the
2023-09-21 20:23
One Energy and Ohio Logistics Strengthen Partnership to Advance Electric Semi-Truck Infrastructure Development
FINDLAY, Ohio--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sep 21, 2023--
2023-09-21 20:22
3 Vikings who need to be benched or fired before Week 3
The Vikings clearly want to compete this season. At 0-2, they need to make some aggressive personnel moves to do so.
2023-09-21 20:22
