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Viruses found in Antarctic air, including some new to science

2026-04-20T00:01:00+01:00

It may seem stark and lifeless, but the air around the remote sub-Antarctic island of South Georgia contains viruses, including some that are new to science. Using metagenomics, researchers discovered that South Georgia harbours a diverse and dynamic airborne viral community.

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Food security

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Plastic texturing kills viruses when they land

Researchers have developed a thin plastic film that tears apart viruses on contact, offering a promising new way to keep high touch surfaces such as smartphones and hospital equipment from spreading disease.

Clean Water

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Viruses enhance sulfamethoxazole removal in wetlands by modulating bacteria-phage interactions

2026-04-21T10:16:00+01:00By

A new study examines the role of viruses in sulfamethoxazole (SMX) removal in constructed wetlands. The research demonstrates that the addition of phage-concentrated solutions (PCS) enhances the degradation of SMX by enriching SMX-degrading bacteria.

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Researchers come up with novel strategies for coral restoration

2026-04-21T09:52:00+01:00By

Scientists have discovered a new way to help lab-grown baby corals survive through the early life stage. If young mountainous star corals are grown on cement tiles formulated with sodium carbonate, which raises the alkalinity of the water, they survive much better than the average lab-grown corals.