30,000-Year-Old Virus Discovered in Siberia

French scientists are studying a 30,000-year-old virus after they discovered it in Siberian permafrost.

In new research published in the journal, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, researchers studied a so-called “giant virus” called Mollivirus sibericum discovered in the frozen permafrost. It’s the fourth “giant” virus found and analyzed since 2003. The researchers say the discovery could be of concern in the face of climate change and melting ice.

“A few viral particles that are still infectious may be enough, in the presence of a vulnerable host, to revive potentially pathogenic viruses,” one of the lead researchers, Jean-Michel Claverie, told AFP.

A virus can be called “giant” if it’s longer than half a micron or 0.00002 of an inch, according to AFP.

The researchers plan to “revive” the virus in a safe laboratory setting. They will place it in a single cell amoeba in order to research it.

[AFP]

How the Polio Vaccine Trials Relieved a Worried Nation

Caption from LIFE. Working under glass for extra safety, technician begins vaccine process with kidney tissue.

Al Fenn—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images

Polio vaccine production, 1955.

Al Fenn—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images

Polio vaccine production, 1955.

Al Fenn—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images

Polio vaccine production, 1955.

Al Fenn—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images

Caption from LIFE. In incubator room, test tubes of vaccine samples rotate slowly in drums for seven days under controlled temperature. The samples are then analyzed.

Al Fenn—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images

Caption from LIFE. To kill virus, worker makes up formaldehyde solution which is pumped into tube overhead simultaneously with vaccine-to-be from tank. When throughly mixed, liquid goes back into tank where formaldehyde does its work.

Al Fenn—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images

Caption from LIFE. Potency test is performed with monkey who gets injections of vaccine just as children. Blood sample is examined to see if antibodies have formed.

Al Fenn—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images

Polio vaccine production, 1955.

Al Fenn—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images

Polio vaccine production, 1955.

Al Fenn—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images

Child receiving a polio vaccination, 1955.

Al Fenn—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images

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