I don't know about you, but viruses have been on my mind a lot lately. One virus in particular, SARS-CoV-2 (a.k.a. COVID-19), continues to hold my attention way more than I would like it to. However, viruses are pretty amazing, and I learned to appreciate them when I read Carl Zimmer's book, A Planet of Viruses. Like everything I have read by Carl Zimmer, who writes a weekly science column for The New York Times, this short book is a fun read, and it doesn't require a background in biology, or any other science, to … [Read more...] about Science Corner: A Planet of Viruses Book Review & Virus Appreciation
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Science Corner: Recognizing the Discovery of Hepatitis C
Having spent a little time looking at the Ig Nobel prizes, let's give some attention to this year's Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, awarded equally to Harvey J. Alter, Michael Houghton and Charles M. Rice "for the discovery of Hepatitis C virus." Hepatitis C is primarily transmitted by direct blood contact, such as a blood transfusion or sharing of needles for intravenous drug use. Knowing that the virus exists, how it is transmitted, and how to detect it has significantly increased the safety of our blood … [Read more...] about Science Corner: Recognizing the Discovery of Hepatitis C
Science Corner: Viral Frenemies
It's hard not to think of viruses as our enemies in some fashion. Whether it's fictional pathogens like the one in Contagion or real ones like ebola, most of us only encounter or think about viruses when they are making us sick. And viruses do make lots of people sick, sometimes fatally, so that impression is not entirely unjustified. As a result, a finding like this one about a virus making a constructive contribution to human embryonic development may be difficult to accept. Admittedly, the "puppet master" language … [Read more...] about Science Corner: Viral Frenemies