World's Largest Virus 42
Gavinsblog writes "New Scientist is reporting that the largest virus yet discovered may have been found in a water tower in the UK. Dubbed the 'Mimivirus', it may be related to Smallpox. It is not yet known if it causes disease."
How big is it??? (Score:1, Flamebait)
Re:How big is it??? (Score:1)
Re:How big is it??? (Score:2)
Re:How big is it??? (Score:2)
Re:How big is it??? (Score:1)
Would the 'mimi' be in reference to... (Score:3, Funny)
(For those who don't know, she plays Mimi on the Drew Carey Show).
Re:Would the 'mimi' be in reference to... (Score:2)
Mimi... (Score:3, Funny)
No, methinks Drew Carey had a hand in this... or perhaps Mr. Wick?
Pig!
You mean that it is bigger than Microsoft Windows? (Score:5, Funny)
It is only a matter of time... (Score:1, Interesting)
Re:It is only a matter of time... (Score:1)
Uh, why? (Score:2)
Re:It is only a matter of time... (Score:3, Interesting)
Re:It is only a matter of time... (Score:2)
Yes, but, (Score:4, Funny)
If I block port 135, will I be safe? (Score:5, Funny)
"even bigger than some bacteria" (Score:1)
Re:"even bigger than some bacteria" (Score:3, Informative)
Not always (Score:1)
Some viruses are lytic; others not. It is possible for an infected cell to become virus factory that continues to live. There are some viruses that become latent. They infect a cell and become dormant, sometimes even for years. Shingles is a localized outbreak of latent chickenpox that can occur in old age.
Some viruses have RNA in them instead of DNA. West Nile, HIV and influenza are examples.
grade school biologists (Score:3, Informative)
2. Some viruses use RNA instead of DNA.
3. Some are released from the host cell via non-lethal means (budding, though budding often is lethal). Many plant viruses re
In a related story... (Score:5, Funny)
A macro virus? (Score:2)
Re:A macro virus? (Score:2)
Huh? (Score:1)
Could not possibly be very big if they don't know whether they've found it.
Better or worse? (Score:3, Interesting)
The article indicates that the virus is larger DNA-wise... which indicates higher complexity, possibly a better ability to adapt?
It's interesting that the virus is big... but what consequences does this have medically?
Re:Better or worse? (Score:2)
As far as the amoebae they infect are concerned, it sucks. It's like having one of them alien thingys rip out of their ... er.... chests.
But seriously, while humans were found to have antibodies against these macrovirii, it's quite possible it's because they are in the water supply and humans keep drinking them. There's no indication they produce active infections in human cells. I can't think of any viruses that switch between infecting one-celled organisms a
Viruses (Score:1)
As for evolutionary advantage, there must be some since this virus exists, but there are also tiny viruses. I think it's better to consider ecological niches. More DNA allows for more functions, but it is also burdensome. It takes more energy to reproduce that DNA, and there are more chances that for maladaptive mistakes. Different organisms end up with different adaptations, including genome si
Can't you just see (Score:2)
Wait... (Score:1)
I thought by definition a virus caused disease. It kills cells, injects its own viral code, bursts, and spreads. If this doesn't do that, is it a virus? If it does, isn't it causing disease?
Slashdot, educate me!
Re:Wait... (Score:2)
Re:Wait... (Score:1)
An example is the common cold. Quite successful at dissemination while causing little long-term damage.HIV is another example; it can lay dormant (but infect others) for years until it destroys enough T cells to affect immuni
Re:Wait... (Score:2)
You mean? (Score:1)
Sideny Harris Cartoon (Score:2)
This isn't very deep, but when I first read the title of this story, what leapt to mind was a Sidney Harris cartoon [sciencecartoonsplus.com] from Einstein Simplified. Two scientists (you can tell they're scientists, they're wearing labcoats) are looking into a cage the size of a rabbit cage. One of them is saying, "Biggest damn virus I've ever seen!" Pity I can't find a copy of it at the moment.
SARS (Score:1)