In something right out of a sci-fi horror movie, scientists have revived an ancient infectious lifeform that could potentially piggyback on an animal and eventually cause the next human pandemic. These microorganisms were reportedly frozen in Alaska for nearly 40,000 years. But now,&nbsp;researchers from the University of Colorado Boulder thawed samples of ancient permafrost — a mixture of frozen soil, rock, and ice — and found that once warmed, the microbes slowly returned to life.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ice-turns-arrest-into-meme-mocks-detainee-in-bizarre-ride-of-shame-video-outrage-erupts-as-white-house-reposts-video-watch-1759732361629">ICE turns arrest into meme; mocks detainee in bizarre ‘ride of shame’ video — outrage erupts as White House reposts video. Watch!</a><h2>How were the dormant ancient viruses brought to life?</h2>At first, nothing happened. But within months, the long-dormant microorganisms began forming thriving colonies, prompting concerns about what else could awaken as the Arctic melts, according to the Daily Mail.“These are not dead samples by any means,” said Dr Tristan Caro, a geoscientist who led the study published in Journal of Geophysical Research: Biogeosciences.The microbes, invisible to the naked eye, were collected from Alaska’s Permafrost Research Tunnel near Fairbanks — an underground passage known as an “icy graveyard.” Scientists incubated the samples at temperatures between 3°C and 12°C to simulate a warming Arctic summer.Within six months, microbial communities had transformed dramatically, forming biofilms — slimy layers of bacteria that are hard to eliminate.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/-living-nostradamus-warns-of-imminent-crisis-makes-chilling-prophecy-about-trump-s-plans-for-us-military-1759738646707">‘Living Nostradamus’ warns of 'imminent crisis,' makes chilling prophecy about Trump's plans for US military</a><h2>Can these ancient viruses infect humans?</h2>While these microbes “likely couldn’t infect people,” researchers warned they could still pose serious risks, said the team behind their resurrection. As they reawaken, they release carbon dioxide and methane — greenhouse gases that accelerate climate change.However, longer, warmer Arctic summers could supercharge this process, Dr Caro said. “You might have a single hot day in the Alaskan summer, but what matters much more is the lengthening of the summer season to where these warm temperatures extend into the autumn and spring.”The ability of these microorganisms to survive tens of thousands of years raises deeper concerns. Experts fear that melting permafrost could one day expose ancient bacteria or viruses capable of infecting modern hosts.Dr Brigitta Evengård, an infectious disease expert from Sweden, cautioned that permafrost could release antibiotic-resistant bacteria. “The two that we know could come out of the permafrost are anthrax and pox viruses; other than that, it’s Pandora's box,” she told Greenpeace.Another study, published in Proceedings of the Royal Society B, found that melting glaciers increase the risk of “viral spillover” — when a virus jumps to a new host species. As meltwater flows into Arctic lakes, ancient pathogens could find new routes to infect animals, or even humans.

Scientists have revived ancient microorganisms frozen in Alaska’s permafrost for nearly 40,000 years — sparking fears of what else could awaken as the Arctic warms. Here's why they did this. 

In something right out of a sci-fi horror movie, scientists have revived an ancient infectious lifeform that could potentially piggyback on an animal and eventually cause the next human pandemic. These microorganisms were reportedly frozen in Alaska for nearly 40,000 years. But now, researchers from the University of Colorado Boulder thawed samples of ancient permafrost — a mixture of frozen soil, rock, and ice — and found that once warmed, the microbes slowly returned to life. Also read | ICE turns arrest into meme; mocks detainee in bizarre ‘ride of shame’ video — outrage erupts as White House reposts video. Watch! How were the dormant ancient viruses brought to life? At first, nothing happened. But within months, the long-dormant microorganisms began forming thriving colonies, prompting concerns about what else could awaken as the Arctic melts, according to the Daily Mail. “These are not dead samples by any means,” said Dr Tristan Caro, a geoscientist who led the study published in Journal of Geophysical Research: Biogeosciences. The microbes, invisible to the naked eye, were collected from Alaska’s Permafrost Research Tunnel near Fairbanks — an underground passage known as an “icy graveyard.” Scientists incubated the samples at temperatures between 3°C and 12°C to simulate a warming Arctic summer. Within six months, microbial communities had transformed dramatically, forming biofilms — slimy layers of bacteria that are hard to eliminate. Also read | ‘Living Nostradamus’ warns of 'imminent crisis,' makes chilling prophecy about Trump's plans for US military Can these ancient viruses infect humans? While these microbes “likely couldn’t infect people,” researchers warned they could still pose serious risks, said the team behind their resurrection. As they reawaken, they release carbon dioxide and methane — greenhouse gases that accelerate climate change. However, longer, warmer Arctic summers could supercharge this process, Dr Caro said. “You might have a single hot day in the Alaskan summer, but what matters much more is the lengthening of the summer season to where these warm temperatures extend into the autumn and spring.” The ability of these microorganisms to survive tens of thousands of years raises deeper concerns. Experts fear that melting permafrost could one day expose ancient bacteria or viruses capable of infecting modern hosts. Dr Brigitta Evengård, an infectious disease expert from Sweden, cautioned that permafrost could release antibiotic-resistant bacteria. “The two that we know could come out of the permafrost are anthrax and pox viruses; other than that, it’s Pandora's box,” she told Greenpeace. Another study, published in Proceedings of the Royal Society B, found that melting glaciers increase the risk of “viral spillover” — when a virus jumps to a new host species. As meltwater flows into Arctic lakes, ancient pathogens could find new routes to infect animals, or even humans.

Scientists have revived ancient microorganisms frozen in Alaska’s permafrost for nearly 40,000 years — sparking fears of what else could awaken as the Arctic warms. Here's why they did this.&nbsp;

Why?? Scientists revive 40,000-year-old ancient virus with 'pandemic potential' from Arctic ice

A new study suggests that the next viral pandemic may emerge from the Arctic amid melting glaciers caused by climatic change, increasing risks of next Ebola, influenza, or SARS-CoV-2 arriving sooner than predicted by the experts.

A new study suggests that the next viral pandemic may emerge from the Arctic amid melting glaciers caused by climatic change, increasing risks of next Ebola, influenza, or SARS-CoV-2 arriving sooner than predicted by the experts. In an attempt to identify viruses present in the environment, researchers analysed solid and lake sediment from Lake Hazen, a freshwater lake in the northern part of Ellesmere Island in Canada (north of the Arctic Circle). The scientists sequenced segments of DNA and RNA found in the soil. They used a computer algorithm to understand how the viruses are related to animal, plant, and fungi hosts present in the area. After the analysis, the team learned about the viral spillover risk. ALSO READ | COVID-19: Multiple variants dominate the world. What will happen next? The risk is basically the ability for viruses to reach into new host species, and eventually keep spreading. Similar to what the world saw during the initial spread of SARS-CoV-2. In their paper published in 'Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences', the researchers wrote: "Spillover risk increases with runoff from glacier melt, a proxy for climate change. Should climate change also shift species range of potential viral vectors and reservoirs northwards, the High Arctic could become fertile ground for emerging pandemics." ALSO READ | Despite disappointing results, researchers still hope for 'AstraZeneca' The researchers also compared the evolutionary path of both viruses and hosts. They sought to find what are the variations and similarities between the two. The comparison could help the experts to understand the possibility of a change to the status quo and subsequent viral spillover. While explaining it, the researchers wrote in the paper: "From an evolutionary standpoint, viruses are more prone to infecting hosts that are phylogenetically close to their natural host, potentially because it is easier for them to infect and colonize species that are genetically similar." WATCH | Gravitas: New COVID strain makes its way to India × What is a pandemic? A pandemic is a disease that spreads over a whole country or the whole world. It is an epidemic of an infectious disease. The pandemic impacts multiple continents, affecting a substantial number of people. Notably, a widespread endemic disease with a stable number of infected individuals is not a pandemic. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

After coronavirus, next pandemic may come crawling from the melting glaciers

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