Scientists have identified more than 100,000 RNA viruses that have never been seen before, a new study has revealed.
The experts also uncovered genes that have never been seen before in any RNA virus and had only previously been detected in DNA viruses or cellular life.
RNA viruses are those in which the genetic material is RNA (ribonucleic acid)—a compound present in all living cells that has structural similarities to DNA. They include the coronavirus and influenza viruses, as well as dengue and West Nile virus, among others.
The latest discovery could aid the development of treatments against antibiotic-resistant pathogens, as well as defenses against agriculturally harmful bacteria, fungi and pests, the researchers said.
The aim of the Cell study was to expand scientific knowledge of RNA viruses in the environment, which are "extremely" understudied, Uri Gophna of the Shmunis School of Biomedicine and Cancer Research in the Wise Faculty of Life Sciences at Tel Aviv University, Israel, told Newsweek.
"Nearly all RNA viruses that were studied to date are pathogens important for human health and agriculture, but we knew there has to be large RNA virus diversity that remained unexplored," Gophna, a lead researcher on the paper, said.
For the study, the international team analyzed publicly available data generated by more than one hundred labs all over the world at different times that studied different environments ranging from soil, through marine to man-made, such as waste treatment plants, among other ecosystems.
The researchers identified roughly 110,000 previously unknown RNA viruses, even identifying which organisms they are likely to infect. Most of them are not suspected to infect animals but rather bacteria, algae, fungi and protists—a group of primarily single-celled, microscopic organisms.
"We show that viruses from the same broad groups can often also infect widely different organisms," Gophna said.
While some viruses can infect humans and cause disease, the vast majority are not harmful to us. Those that infect bacterial cells are among the most common.
"Most of the viruses that we have discovered pose little threat to animals and certainly humans," Gophna said. "On the contrary, having access to many novel viruses that infect bacteria, can provide us with a future arsenal against antibiotic-resistant pathogens."
The researcher mentioned that two other "impressive" RNA virus discovery efforts had been published previously this year.
"While they were not as comprehensive as our work, and discovered fewer viruses, and much fewer virus functions, they are of a similar scale to ours," he said.
News
Swiss laboratory uses old drugs against rare diseases
Researchers at the University of Geneva are combing through collections of approved drugs to find new therapies for rare diseases – with some success. This approach is gaining traction around the world, while pharmaceutical [...]
Nanozyme Aptasensors Show Promise for Faster Food, Health, and Environmental Testing
By pairing robust artificial enzymes with highly selective aptamers, nanozyme aptasensors could help detect disease biomarkers, pathogens, and contaminants faster, but the review shows that real-world deployment still depends on overcoming matrix interference, biofouling, [...]
Paralyzed Man Feels Sensation Again With Brain Stimulation Device
Aneuroprosthetic system has allowed a man with paralysis to grasp and lift objects and feel touch again. The device helped 42-year-old Keith Thomas of Massapequa, New York, who was paralyzed from the chest down [...]
Global Cancer Cases Could Surge 67% by 2050, New Report Warns
New data reveal major geographic disparities and highlight the urgent need for global action on prevention, early detection, and equitable access to treatment. For roughly one in five people worldwide, cancer will become part [...]
A Deadly Ebola-Like Virus Is Spreading. Are We Ready?
BU virologist Nancy Sullivan says the Bundibugyo outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo underscores the need for broader outbreak preparedness. The death of a nurse marked the moment health officials recognized that [...]
Why Most Animal Viruses Never Become Human Pandemics
From receptor mismatch to risky human-animal interfaces, this article explains why spillover is common but true pandemic emergence remains rare. Introduction Humans are constantly exposed to animal viruses through farming, wildlife contact, and the [...]
Stem cell organoids repair heart microvessels in coronary artery disease models
A Stanford University team has shown that vascular organoids derived from human stem cells can repair the heart’s microvessel network in pigs with ischaemic heart disease – a proof-of-concept advancement that could open new therapeutic [...]
Goodbye GP waiting rooms, hello prevention at home
Prevention is suddenly everywhere in NHS reform. The recent £340m community pharmacy deal is moving more services onto the high street. Community Diagnostic Centres are being expanded, and the Neighbourhood Health Framework sets out [...]
Ebola control is weakened by mistrust and cultural insensitivity
Effective response depends on cooperation with communities and frontline workers, writes Zaeem ul Haq The current Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda is exposing dangerous gaps in [...]
Building the Brain Requires Millions of Dangerous DNA Breaks
Scientists discovered that building a healthy brain involves an unexpected step: young neurons routinely break and rapidly repair their own DNA. As the brain develops, newly formed nerve cells must travel through tightly packed tissue [...]
One Tiny Change May Explain How Viruses Jump From Bats to Humans
Scientists found that one tiny genetic change may determine whether a bat virus stays in bats or becomes a human threat. Most infectious disease outbreaks begin when a virus or other pathogen crosses from animals into [...]
Scientists Discover 250+ Genes That Could Lead to New Ways To Prevent Melanoma
The world’s largest study of mole genetics identified hundreds of genes tied to melanoma risk, uncovering potential new drug targets and paving the way for more accurate melanoma screening and prevention. Researchers at QIMR [...]
Breakthrough Diabetes Treatment Reprograms the Immune System
An engineered stem cell therapy reversed new-onset Type 1 diabetes in mice by shifting the immune system away from attacking insulin-producing cells. For more than a century, people with Type 1 diabetes have relied [...]
Taking the world’s temperature: WHO chief spotlights global health emergencies
Taking the world’s temperature on pressing health matters, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus provided the latest on current global challenges - and successes when it comes to international cooperation. “The outbreaks of hantavirus, Ebola and Marburg all show [...]
Scientists Create Tiny “Mini Livers” That Could One Day Replace Liver Transplants
Engineered tissue grafts could help perform key liver functions and benefit thousands of people living with liver failure. The liver is one of the body’s hardest-working organs, carrying out hundreds of vital jobs, from [...]
NanoMedical Brain/Cloud Interface – Explorations and Implications. A new book from Frank Boehm
New book from Frank Boehm, NanoappsMedical Inc Founder: This book explores the future hypothetical possibility that the cerebral cortex of the human brain might be seamlessly, safely, and securely connected with the Cloud via [...]
