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Phoenix, Arizona is hosting a pivotal gathering this week as the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) convenes its annual meeting. The theme, “Science @ Scale,” arrives at a moment when the particularly foundations of scientific inquiry face increasing scrutiny and, in some quarters, outright dismissal. This year’s meeting isn’t simply a celebration of discovery; it’s a pointed conversation about the necessity of robust, large-scale scientific endeavors in addressing the complex challenges confronting the world.

The AAAS, notably the publisher of the esteemed journal Science, has chosen a theme that directly responds to a growing tension. Even as scientific breakthroughs often occur through individual brilliance, many of today’s most pressing issues – from climate change and pandemic preparedness to the origins of disease and the threat of asteroid impacts – demand collaborative, large-scale research initiatives. The meeting aims to showcase these efforts and explore how to effectively mobilize scientific resources for maximum impact.

Arizona State University’s Rising Profile in National Research

The selection of Phoenix as the host city is itself significant, highlighting the growing prominence of Arizona State University (ASU) in national science research. According to the Arizona State Press, the AAAS Annual Meeting underscores ASU’s expanding role in driving national scientific progress. ASU is presenting its “Science @ Scale” approach, emphasizing the power of interdisciplinary collaboration and large-scale data analysis to tackle complex problems, as reported by ASU News.

Uncovering Ancient Origins of Modern Disease

Among the diverse research presented at the meeting, the function of ASU professor Anne Stone stands out. EurekAlert! reports that Professor Stone will present her research on the ancient origins of modern diseases. Her work delves into the genetic history of pathogens, seeking to understand how diseases have evolved alongside human populations, offering crucial insights for future public health strategies.

Beyond Earthly Concerns: The Asteroid Threat

The AAAS meeting also addresses concerns extending far beyond the realm of microbiology, and genetics. A stark warning from a NASA scientist, highlighted by the New York Post, underscores the significant threat posed by asteroids. The scientist expressed a lack of viable methods to prevent potentially city-killing asteroids from striking Earth, a sobering reminder of the need for continued investment in planetary defense systems.

The “Science @ Scale” theme isn’t merely about the size of research projects; it’s about the interconnectedness of scientific disciplines and the urgency of addressing global challenges with a unified, comprehensive approach. The meeting in Phoenix provides a crucial platform for scientists from diverse fields to collaborate, share findings, and chart a course for a future where scientific innovation is leveraged to its fullest potential.

As the AAAS meeting progresses, the focus will likely shift towards translating these large-scale research efforts into tangible solutions. The discussions and collaborations fostered in Phoenix will undoubtedly shape the scientific agenda for the coming year, influencing policy decisions and driving further investment in critical areas of research. The outcomes of this meeting will be closely watched by the scientific community and policymakers alike, as they seek to navigate the complex landscape of 21st-century challenges.

Disclaimer: This article provides information for general knowledge and informational purposes only, and does not constitute medical advice. It is essential to consult with a qualified healthcare professional for any health concerns or before making any decisions related to your health or treatment.

What are your thoughts on the role of large-scale scientific initiatives in addressing global challenges? Share your perspectives in the comments below.

Scientists have achieved a breakthrough in understanding the history of human viral infections, successfully reconstructing the genome of a cold virus that infected a woman in London approximately 250 years ago. This remarkable feat represents the oldest confirmed example of a human RNA virus identified to date, offering a unique window into the evolution of respiratory illnesses. The discovery highlights the potential of historical medical collections as untapped archives of past pathogens.

Recovering genetic material from ancient viruses is challenging, particularly for RNA viruses. Unlike DNA, RNA is inherently unstable and degrades rapidly after death, typically within hours. This new research demonstrates that RNA can survive, albeit in fragmented form, within preserved human tissue for centuries, opening up exciting possibilities for studying past epidemics and viral evolution. The findings, published as a preprint on BioRxiv, suggest that museum and pathology collections hold a wealth of information about the history of infectious diseases.

Unlocking the Past Through Preserved Tissue

Researchers have previously recovered viral traces from ancient human remains, but these successes largely involved DNA viruses, which are more resilient. The team, led by Erin Barnett at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, deliberately sought to overcome the limitations of studying ancient RNA. They focused on pathology collections, where tissues have been preserved for decades or even centuries. A key factor in their success was the preservation method used for the samples. Rather than the standard formalin preservation used since the early 1900s, the lung tissue samples analyzed were preserved in alcohol, which offered a better chance of RNA survival.

The samples originated from the Hunterian Anatomy Museum at the University of Glasgow, specifically lung tissue from two individuals: a woman from London who died around the 1770s, and another person who died in 1877, whose sex is currently unknown. Both individuals had documented histories of severe respiratory illness, making them ideal candidates for this research.

Reconstructing a 250-Year-Old Viral Genome

Extracting and analyzing the RNA proved to be a complex process. The recovered RNA was heavily fragmented, with most pieces measuring only 20 to 30 nucleotides in length – a tiny fraction of the size of a complete RNA molecule, which can exceed 1,000 nucleotides. Despite this challenge, the researchers painstakingly pieced together the fragments, ultimately reconstructing the full RNA genome of a rhinovirus, a common cause of the common cold.

Further analysis revealed that the woman also had bacterial infections, including Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, and Moraxella catarrhalis, suggesting a complex and potentially dangerous combination of pathogens affecting her lungs. This highlights that what might appear as a simple “cold” could have been a far more serious illness in the past.

A Lost Lineage of Rhinovirus

Comparing the reconstructed viral genome to a vast database of viral sequences maintained by the U.S. National Institutes of Health, researchers determined that the historical virus belonged to the human rhinovirus A group. Interestingly, this particular viral lineage appears to be extinct today. The closest modern relative identified was a genotype known as A19, with an estimated common ancestor dating back to the 1600s. This suggests the virus found in the woman’s lungs represents a long-lost branch on the rhinovirus family tree.

The researchers emphasize the importance of acknowledging the individuals whose tissues were used in this study, recognizing them beyond their status as anonymous specimens. Recovering this biological information, they argue, helps restore visibility to stories that would otherwise be lost to time.

Implications for Future Research

Experts in the field, such as Love Dalén at Stockholm University, have hailed the study as a significant step forward. Dalén noted that the success in recovering RNA from “wet” medical collections – those preserved without formalin – opens up new avenues for research. He suggests this is just the beginning of a larger expansion in ancient RNA virus research, as many RNA viruses evolve rapidly, studying them across centuries could provide valuable insights into viral evolution that modern samples alone cannot offer.

This research shifts the focus from relying on exceptionally preserved samples, like those found in permafrost, to utilizing more readily available historical collections. This approach suggests that museums and pathology archives may contain a hidden record of past outbreaks, preserved not only in DNA but also in RNA. Tracking how respiratory viruses evolved and moved through populations, and understanding their changing relationships with other infections, may now be within reach.

The reconstruction of this 18th-century cold virus is more than just a historical curiosity; it’s a testament to the power of innovative techniques and the potential for unlocking a deeper understanding of our shared past with infectious diseases. Further research utilizing these methods promises to reveal even more about the evolution of viruses and their impact on human health.

What are your thoughts on the potential of historical medical collections to reveal more about past pandemics? Share your comments below, and please share this article with your network.

Disclaimer: This article provides informational content and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional for any health concerns or before making any decisions related to your health or treatment.