Coronaviruses discovered in Laotian bats are surprisingly adept at infecting human cells, showing that such deadly features can indeed evolve outside of a lab.
Tag: Bats
Scientist Finds Early Coronavirus Sequences That Had Been Mysteriously Deleted
By rooting through files stored on Google Cloud, a researcher says he recovered 13 early coronavirus sequences that had disappeared from a database last year.
Scientist Finds Early Virus Sequences That Had Been Mysteriously Deleted
By rooting through files stored on Google Cloud, a researcher says he recovered 13 early coronavirus sequences that had disappeared from a database last year.
Covid Lab-Leak Theory Renews “Gain-of-Function” Research Debate
Talk of ‘gain-of-function’ research, a muddy category at best, brings up deep questions about how scientists should study viruses and other pathogens.
Shi Zhengli, A Virologist in Wuhan, Speaks Out Against ‘Lab Leak’ Theory
The virologist, Shi Zhengli, said in a rare interview that speculation about her lab in Wuhan was baseless. But China’s habitual secrecy makes her claims hard to validate.
Lab-Leak Theory: Kristian Andersen On His Fauci Email and Covid Origins
In early 2020, Kristian Andersen wrote to Anthony Fauci about the possibility of an engineered coronavirus. His research has since dispelled those suspicions.
Shi Zhengli, Chinese Virologist, Faces Scrutiny Over Wuhan Lab Research
Shi Zhengli, a top virologist, said in a rare interview that speculation about her lab in Wuhan was baseless. But China’s habitual secrecy makes her claims hard to validate.
W.H.O. and Critics Look at What’s Next to Investigate Virus Origins
A scientific mission to China proposed further study for a number of topics. Critics and the director of the W.H.O. have weighed in as well.
Virus Variants Can Infect Mice, Scientists Report
Infected rodents pose no immediate danger to humans, but the research suggests that mutations are helping the coronavirus expand its range of potential hosts.
Coronavirus Origins Remain Unclear in W.H.O.-China Inquiry
Far more work is needed to understand how the pandemic began, the report says, but it is not clear that Beijing will cooperate. “We may never find the true origins,” an expert said.