AIDS-Like Virus New Threat To Koala

An anonymous reader writes "A virus that may weaken the immune system of koalas, similar to HIV in humans, is a new 'wild card' among threats facing the species and nearly all koalas in the Australian state of Queensland could already be infected."

Re:Why?

[religious freak]

Actually, I recall a video (possibly TED vid, too lazy to look up) which discussed the method by which AIDS likely was first transmitted into humans. It was hypothesized to have actually been transmitted via hunter/gatherers carrying their bloody prey on their backs. Because their backs had abrasions from chasing their future food through trees and growth the infected animal blood was mixed with human blood and voila... AIDS came to humans.

Let's just hope there aren't too many bloodied aboriginals hunting koalas :)

Re:What's with the stupid hat?

[Cimexus]

Ahh, but Australia is one of the most urbanised countries on earth (measured by proportion of population living in large metro areas). Far more so than most of Europe, or the US and Canada.

So although I'm quite aware that an Akubra is a pretty essential thing to have if you live on the land, all I'm really saying is that using it as an icon representing the country as a whole smacks of stereotyping. It just irritates me Americans just seem to instantly think of a 30 year old movie as the first thing that comes to mind when they think of Australia ... not only that but a movie that is not really supposed to be taken seriously. It's like they know nothing else about the place, except that.

Wasn't meaning to launch a massive thread on the matter but it bugs me every time I see the icon, that's all.

Re:What's with the stupid hat?

[Chees0rz]

I had a great conversation in a bar with an Aussie tourist. He picked up his shit and just decided to drive around the West Coast. We talked about stereotypes... he was amazed that kids picked up summer jobs when in school out here, because television/movies just showed kids raising while class was out... not working. He also had some messed up views of american football and what we do for sports in HS.

It goes both ways!

Relax, koala-lovers

[srussia]

The only HIV-like aspect of the virus is that it is a retrovirus. It may even be harmless. BTW, does anyone have data on the prevalence of non-HIV retroviruses in humans?