Medieval manuscripts found to preserve ancient sheeppox virus DNA

·1 views

Researchers have discovered that medieval manuscripts made from animal skin contain genetic traces of the sheeppox virus, effectively acting as biological time capsules. The parchment pages, crafted from sheep hides, have preserved viral DNA for centuries within library and archive collections. Scientists believe this finding opens a new window into the historical spread and evolution of animal diseases. The discovery also suggests that other manuscript collections around the world may similarly harbor genetic evidence of past disease outbreaks. This research could help scientists better understand how deadly livestock viruses have changed over time.

Read the full story at Ars Technica

This is an AI-generated summary. ShortSingh links to the original source for the complete article.

Discussion (0)

White House releases policy-themed arcade games critics call racist

The White House has published a set of arcade-style games tied to Trump administration policy themes, some of which have drawn accusations of racism. One game, called 'Build the Wall,' closely resembles the iconic puzzle game Tetris, tasking players with stacking shapes to stop what it describes as a 'zombie border siege' at the southern border. The game depicts noncitizens — referred to as 'aliens' — as characters attempting to cross the screen. The Tetris Company has already responded publicly, signaling potential concern over the unauthorized likeness of its intellectual property. The release has sparked backlash over both its imagery and its possible copyright implications.

0 comments Read more at The Verge

TechnologyThe Verge ·

GoPro CEO reassures customers after $285M Starman acquisition announcement

GoPro CEO Nick Woodman addressed customers in an open letter following the announcement of a $285 million acquisition by Starman. He emphasized that camera-making remains the company's 'core DNA' and that the merger will strengthen its content creation capabilities. The deal announcement had previously noted plans to collaborate with Starman on national security matters related to cameras, optics, and AI infrastructure. Notably, the letter made no mention of YouTuber Mark 'Markiplier' Fischbach, who had recently become GoPro's largest individual shareholder ahead of the acquisition.

0 comments Read more at The Verge

TechnologyTechCrunch ·

Judge bars X rival from using 'Twitter' name but permits use of 'Tweet'

A federal judge has issued a temporary block preventing an X competitor from using the 'Twitter' name. However, the court ruled that X had likely abandoned its trademark rights to the term 'Tweet' and its bird logo. Following the ruling, the startup rebranded and relaunched under the name Tweet.app. The case highlights ongoing legal disputes over intellectual property tied to the former Twitter brand.

0 comments Read more at TechCrunch

TechnologyThe Verge ·

Roland Enters Generative AI Music With DAW Plugin Melody Flip

Roland has launched Melody Flip, a generative AI music tool available as a plugin for digital audio workstations. The tool offers around 250 themed 'Palettes' covering various genres, allowing users to generate melodies, chord progressions, basslines, or drum patterns. Users can either start from scratch or provide a reference track for the AI to build upon. Unlike AI music platforms such as Suno or Udio, Melody Flip does not produce fully finished songs with vocals and complete arrangements, positioning it as a compositional aid rather than an end-to-end generator.

0 comments Read more at The Verge