‘FLuQE’ is a direct descendant of the earlier ‘FLiRT’ variants. But an additional mutation could make it more of a worry.
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Articles on Viral evolution
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The JN.1 variant has become dominant in Australia and around the world, causing large waves of infections. Here’s what we know about it so far – and why it’s so important.
Researchers discovered a satellite virus latching onto the neck of another virus called MindFlayer. Studying the viral arms race between similar viruses could lead to new ways to fight infections.
Fossil evidence of how the earliest life on Earth came to be is hard to come by. But scientists have come up with a few theories based on the microbes, viruses and prions existing today.
Annual flu vaccines are in a constant race against a rapidly mutating virus that may one day cause the next pandemic. A one-time vaccine protecting against all variants could give humanity a leg up.
XBB.1.5 and other subvariants do signal a change in how the virus is mutating. Here’s what this means for Australia and globally.
Bits of viral genes incorporated into human DNA have been linked to cancer, ALS and schizophrenia. But many of these genes may not be harmful, and could even protect against infectious disease.
Face masks are still an effective way to help stop the spread of the BA.5 subvariant.
Our best chance of limiting the emergence of new recombinant COVID variants is to limit the spread of infections, using public health measures to slow and suppress the virus.
SARS-CoV-2 cannot improve indefinitely.
It’s too early to say whether the newly identified omicron variant is going to overtake delta. But particular mutations in the new strain have researchers deeply concerned.
Chickenpox has largely disappeared from the public’s memory thanks to a highly effective vaccine. But the virus’s clever life cycle allows it to reappear in later adulthood in the form of shingles.
When the coronavirus copies itself, there is a chance its RNA will mutate. But new variants must jump from one host to another, and the more infections there are, the better chance this will happen.
Evolution explains why the Delta variant spreads faster than the original Wuhan strain. It explains what we might see with future variants. And it suggests how we might step up public health measures.
Data from the UK, where the Delta variant is dominant, suggest many people with COVID-19 are experiencing cold-like symptoms such as a runny nose and a sore throat.
A more coordinated effort by scientists, stakeholders and community members will be required to stop the next deadly virus that’s already circulating in our midst.
As viruses are transmitted from person to person they are constantly mutating and replicating. Could the SARS-CoV-2 virus evolve to evade the new vaccines that have just been developed?
The smallpox virus appears to have been with humanity for millennia before a global vaccination drive wiped it out. Current genome research suggests how smallpox spread and where it came from.
The US and its allies are demanding answers over how COVID-19 became a pandemic. But instead of pointing fingers at China, the inquiry should focus on scientific clues to help us thwart future disasters.
Every time the virus copies itself it makes mistakes, creating a trail that researchers can use to build a family tree with information about where it’s traveled, and when.
Top contributors
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Professor Emerita of Biology, Indiana University
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Professor and Department Chair of Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, University of Pittsburgh
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Professor of Biology, Entomology and Biotechnology, Penn State
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Doctoral Student in Biochemistry, University of Washington
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Director, Centre for Planetary Health and Food Security, Griffith University
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Professor of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh
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Research Leader in Virology and Infectious Disease, Griffith University
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Professor and Webster Family Chair in Viral Pathogenesis, University of Otago
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PhD Student in Biological Sciences, University of South Carolina
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Professor of Biological Sciences, University of South Carolina
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Associate Professor, Monash University
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Epidemiologist, Epidemiological Modelling Unit, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University
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Professor of Epidemiology, Medicine, and Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, University of Pittsburgh
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Professor of Bioethics & Medicine, Sydney Health Ethics, Haematologist/BMT Physician, Royal North Shore Hospital and Director, Praxis Australia, University of Sydney
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Doctoral Student in Genome Sciences, University of Washington
