Expanding insights into plant rhabdovirus diversity through the discovery of viruses representing 32 putative novel species
April 2026 Archives of Virology 171(5)
DOI: 10.1007/s00705-026-06609-1
Ioannis Tzanetakis's Lab
38 authors - new paper, a must-read, virology at its very best!

@carolynporco.bsky.social A hero of mine died today at 98 Carolyn. Please watch his life story. youtube.com/playlist?lis...

This is figure 1, which shows representative lycophytes reconstructions from Late Permian to recent.

A paper in Nature Ecology & Evolution reports insights into how ancient plants lived around 252 million years ago at the time of the Permian–Triassic mass extinction, the most severe loss of biodiversity in Earth’s history. go.nature.com/4cGiEY5 #PlantScience 🌍🧪

US lawmakers intensify scrutiny of scientific-publishing practices A congressional hearing covered the rise of paper mills and the costs of open-access publishing — but there was little agreement on what reform would entail.

US lawmakers intensify scrutiny of scientific-publishing practices www.nature.com/articles/d41... - the primary reports of science should be curated preprints published indepently. The journals have become parasitic as Robert Maxwell intended.

Scientists stunned by ‘fundamentally new way’ life produces DNA Newly discovered bacterial defense system challenges genetic code’s central dogma

Scientists stunned by ‘fundamentally new way’ life produces DNA | Science | AAAS www.science.org/content/arti...

Wrong. Just stop supporting the Zion myths, and try to live peacefully with everyone else on earth - the idea that greed is good and bribery can achieve it generates problems.

Landmark ancient-genome study shows surprise acceleration of human evolution Data from more than 15,000 ancient people reveal natural selection of hundreds of genes linked to immunity, skin tone, behaviour and other traits.

Landmark ancient-genome study shows surprise acceleration of human evolution www.nature.com/articles/d41... - very interesting but I don’t understand why no mention that the larger the population the greater the chance of rare mutants.

The air is full of DNA — here’s what scientists are using it for Airborne genetic material can be used to paint a picture of ecosystem health, watch for invasive species and even identify humans.

The air is full of DNA — here’s what scientists are using it for www.nature.com/articles/d41... - fascinating article but no mention of RNAs or of NAs from ocean spray (probably the largest source), nor of whether Earth leaves a trail of NAs in ‘space’.

Critical Atlantic current significantly more likely to collapse than thought

Viruses allegedly stolen from high-security lab cause stir in Brazil The missing samples — reported to include chikungunya and dengue viruses — have been recovered, but questions linger over motive.

Viruses allegedly stolen from high-security lab cause stir in Brazil www.nature.com/articles/d41... - very likely, given that a small group of senior virologists, including WHO, are actively blocking attempts to learn lessons from SARS-CoV-2 outbreak, nothing will change.

Charles Weissmann (1931–2025), an outstanding and captivating molecular biologist | PNAS With the death of Charles Weissmann, molecular biology has lost of one of its most productive, outstanding, and critical representatives. A molecul...

Charles Weissmann (1931–2025), an outstanding and captivating molecular biologist | PNAS www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
- a wonderful obituary of a star scientist.

It’s right under your nose – why some people can’t find things in plain sight Your brain isn’t just looking – it’s predicting. Here’s why that means you can stare straight at something and still not see it.

It’s right under your nose – why some people can’t find things in plain sight
theconversation.com/its-right-un...

The ‘crazy rule-defying’ genes that determine sex A gripping account reveals the workings of the remarkable chromosomes that specify male or female development.

The ‘crazy rule-defying’ genes that determine sex www.nature.com/articles/d41...

‘Treasure trove’ of antiviral proteins could inspire powerful molecular tools Two research teams mined genomic data from bacteria to create databases containing thousands of antiviral defence proteins that could inspire powerful biotechnologies.

‘Treasure trove’ of antiviral proteins could inspire powerful molecular tools www.nature.com/articles/d41...

Those who sought to cover up the crimes in Afghanistan by charging whistleblowers should themselves be prosecuted.

Earth’s biodiversity: How much is there? | PNAS Earth’s biodiversity: How much is there?

Earth’s biodiversity: How much is there? | PNAS www.pnas.org/doi/abs/10.1...

and a lovely person as well.

The world’s political scene becomes more absurd by the moment.

I've just checked Genbank and, amazingly, there seems to be no recorded sequence of a Peripatus virus!!!

The archaeal roots of eukaryotic life | PNAS www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...

Ancient bones show dogs have been woven into human life for nearly 16,000 years Based on international collaborations lasting decades, two new studies have unlocked previously unavailable information from the bones of dogs long dead.

Ancient bones show dogs have been woven into human life for nearly 16,000 years
theconversation.com/ancient-bone...

Trump’s new science advisers include 12 technology chiefs — and one academic Sparse academic presence on the US President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology reflects a focus on technology and industry.

Trump’s new science advisers include 12 technology chiefs — and one academic www.nature.com/articles/d41... - a group of people who have found individual ways to make a lot of money from science.

How DNA in dirt is shaking up the study of human origins Researchers are pulling clues from genetic material in ice age soils and rewriting chapters of human history.

How DNA in dirt is shaking up the study of human origins www.nature.com/articles/d41...

Giant dragonflies once roamed Earth’s skies. New research upends the textbook theory of why they went extinct Scientists thought giant dragonflies couldn’t survive in today’s atmosphere – but a study of dozens of insect species shows that’s not the case.

Giant dragonflies once roamed Earth’s skies. New research upends the textbook theory of why they went extinct
theconversation.com/giant-dragon...

Australia’s forests are finally doing better — but ‘underwater bushfires’ hit oceans hard Good rains kept Australia’s landscapes green in 2025, but ecological disasters in the ocean and wildlife decline underscore the toll of climate change.

Australia’s forests are finally doing better — but ‘underwater bushfires’ hit oceans hard
theconversation.com/australias-f... - a balanced view.

Brain’s protective barrier stays leaky for years after playing contact sports Damage to the blood-brain barrier is linked to immune changes and cognitive decline.

Brain’s protective barrier stays leaky for years after playing contact sports www.nature.com/articles/d41...

Affordable mobility for all: why we need smaller, cheaper electric vehicles A cross between e-bikes and electric cars, low-speed electric vehicles are easier to build and run and are greener than larger alternatives.

Affordable mobility for all: why we need smaller, cheaper electric vehicles www.nature.com/articles/d41... May I have one?

NIH pivots away from agency-directed science US biomedical funding behemoth says the approach will boost innovation, but some researchers worry that understudied areas of science will suffer.

NIH pivots away from agency-directed science www.nature.com/articles/d41... - perhaps 'draining a swamp' that has been in need of draining for many years!

AlphaFold hits ‘next level’: the AI database now includes protein pairing The database of 200 million protein-structure predictions now includes homodimers, adding new biological relevance.

AlphaFold hits ‘next level’: the AI database now includes protein pairing www.nature.com/articles/d41... - It's wonderful, and it's free!

Bat guano fertilizer as a source of Betacoronavirus: First molecular evidence linking Rhinolophus coelophyllus to viral reservoirs in Thailand Commercial bat guano fertilizers distributed in Thailand were screened for the presence of coronavirus genomes to assess potential public health risks. A total of 41 samples were analyzed for Alphacor...

Checkout this article I found at PLOS: dx.plos.org/10.1371/jour...