A mystery virus started killing horses. Then humans

4 hours ago

The Hendra virus first emerged in a Brisbane suburb in 1994, killing horses and later humans, and was identified as a new zoonotic disease.
The virus was traced to flying foxes (fruit bats) as the natural host, which carry the virus without becoming ill.
Land clearing and deforestation in Queensland, particularly for agriculture and urban development, destroyed bat habitats and drove bats closer to humans and horses, increasing spillover risk.
Research, led by scientists like Hume Field and Peggy Eby, showed that ecological disruption and loss of winter-flowering trees were key drivers of Hendra outbreaks.
A landmark 2022 study demonstrated that restoring winter-flowering eucalyptus trees could draw bats away from human settlements and prevent spillovers, acting as a natural inoculation.
The work on Hendra led to broader understanding of bat-borne viruses like Nipah and highlighted the role of ecological disruption in disease emergence.
The findings emphasize the urgent need for ecological solutions, such as habitat restoration, to prevent pandemics at their source.

Scientists discover two to three new human viruses annually, a trend stable since the 1960s.
Most new viruses are low-risk, but some, like HIV-1 and SARS-CoV-2, have led to pandemics killing millions.
The University of Edinburgh team uses historical data to assess pandemic potential of newly discovered viruses.

COVID-19 is far worse than seasonal flu, with significant mortality and strain on healthcare systems.
Social distancing, hand washing, and coughing hygiene are effective measures to slow the spread.
Warmer weather may slightly reduce transmission but strong measures are still necessary.

A series of devastating wildfires in Spain, including the largest in recorded history, have been fueled by extreme heat, drought, and land abandonment.
Rural exodus and afforestation with flammable species like pine and eucalyptus have increased fuel loads, making fires more intense.
Experts argue that fire suppression spending outweighs prevention, and that involving local communities in land management and controlled burns is essential.

Scientists previously believed human evolution had slowed or stopped after civilization, but new research shows rapid genetic changes in the last 10,000 years.
Using the largest collection of ancient human DNA, researchers identified 479 genes under natural selection, with evolution accelerating in the past 5,000 years.
A Genetic Relationship Matrix helped filter out noise from migration, revealing clear signals of natural selection in genes related to immunity, baldness, and blood type.

Scientists are intentionally infecting a 28-acre grove of American elms with Dutch elm disease to identify disease-tolerant trees for breeding.
The goal is to create a genetically diverse, disease-tolerant population of elms to restore a key species that once dominated American forests and floodplains.
American elms have cultural and historical significance, but Dutch elm disease has killed tens of millions, leaving only a few survivor trees.

Scientists discover two to three new human viruses annually, a trend stable since the 1960s.
Most new viruses are low-risk, but some, like HIV-1 and SARS-CoV-2, have led to pandemics killing millions.
The University of Edinburgh team uses historical data to assess pandemic potential of newly discovered viruses.

COVID-19 is far worse than seasonal flu, with significant mortality and strain on healthcare systems.
Social distancing, hand washing, and coughing hygiene are effective measures to slow the spread.
Warmer weather may slightly reduce transmission but strong measures are still necessary.

A series of devastating wildfires in Spain, including the largest in recorded history, have been fueled by extreme heat, drought, and land abandonment.
Rural exodus and afforestation with flammable species like pine and eucalyptus have increased fuel loads, making fires more intense.
Experts argue that fire suppression spending outweighs prevention, and that involving local communities in land management and controlled burns is essential.

Scientists previously believed human evolution had slowed or stopped after civilization, but new research shows rapid genetic changes in the last 10,000 years.
Using the largest collection of ancient human DNA, researchers identified 479 genes under natural selection, with evolution accelerating in the past 5,000 years.
A Genetic Relationship Matrix helped filter out noise from migration, revealing clear signals of natural selection in genes related to immunity, baldness, and blood type.

Scientists are intentionally infecting a 28-acre grove of American elms with Dutch elm disease to identify disease-tolerant trees for breeding.
The goal is to create a genetically diverse, disease-tolerant population of elms to restore a key species that once dominated American forests and floodplains.
American elms have cultural and historical significance, but Dutch elm disease has killed tens of millions, leaving only a few survivor trees.

Hasty Briefsbeta