Scientists discover 1,700 ancient viruses in Tibetan Plateau

This discovery suggests a potential connection between viral communities and climate change.

A new study published in Nature Geoscience has uncovered a treasure trove of ancient viral DNA preserved in the Guliya Glacier of the Tibetan Plateau, offering new insights into Earth's climate history.

Researchers from The Ohio State University have identified nearly 1,700 viral species in ice core samples, with about three-quarters being previously unknown to science.

The study reveals that these ancient viruses, while dormant and harmless to humans, played a crucial role in their microbial hosts' adaptation to extreme environmental conditions.

One of the most notable findings was a distinct viral community dating back to approximately 11,500 years ago, coinciding with the transition from the Last Glacial Stage to the warmer Holocene period.

This discovery suggests a potential connection between viral communities and climate change.