The Research Brief is a short take about interesting academic work. The big idea An analysis of the genetic material in the ocean has identified thousands of previously unknown RNA viruses and doubled the number of phyla, or biological groups, of viruses, thought to exist, according to a new study our team of researchers has published in the journal Science.RNA viruses are best known for the diseases they cause in people, ranging from the common cold to COVID-19.
RNA viruses can cause deadly diseases. But they also play a vital role in ecosystems because they can infect a wide array of organisms, including microbes that influence environments and food webs at the chemical level
Viruses do more than just cause disease – they also influence ecosystems and the processes that shape the planet. Tracing their evolution could help researchers better understand how viruses work.
Ocean water samples yield treasure trove of RNA virus data miragenews.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from miragenews.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.