National Geographic: Ancient "giant virus" revived from Siberian permafrost
A team of French researchers have discovered an ancient virus buried deep in the Siberian permafrost, untouched for 30,000 years. Though microscopic, it is a so-called "giant virus," much larger than normal specimens and more genetically complex. James Van Etten, a University of Nebraska-Lincoln plant pathology who is an authority on viruses, edited the study led by Jean-Michel Claverie and Chantal Abergel of Aix-Marseille University in Marseille, France.
Dr. Loren Giesler accepted the position of Acting Head of the Department
Dr. Loren Giesler has agreed to serve as Acting Head of the Department effective November 6, 2017 through January 2, 2018. The IANR Senior Leadership Team appreciates Loren’s willingness to accept this important role.
AgWeb: Ag experts offer advice on hail damage
University of Nebraska-Lincoln plant pathologist Tamra Jackson-Ziems describes which diseases to look for in hail-damaged corn.
Columbia Chronicle (Chicago): Plant virus wilts human brain function
James Van Etten, professor of plant pathology at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, discusses recent findings that a chlorovirus can infect humans, leading to impaired brain function.
Newsweek: American researchers discover "stupidity virus."
James Van Etten, a plant pathologist at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, discusses the discovery of a virus --previously believed to infect only algae -- in the throats of human participants in an unrelated study. Those infected with the virus were found to perform more slowly on cognitive function tests.
The Inquisitr: Scientists discover virus that makes people more stupid
Scientists at Johns Hopkins Medical School and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln discovered a virus normally found in freshwater algae also exists in humans. In addition, those with the virus appear to have impaired cognitive performance. Co-author James Van Etten, a plant pathologist at UNL, says more and more studies show microorganisms have a bigger influence on your body than previously predicted.
Stacy Krueger-Hadfield visits PLPT
Dr. Stacy Krueger-Hadfield visited the Department of Plant Pathology November 15 as a invited 2017 FALL 2017 BIOTECHNOLOGY / LIFE SCIENCES SEMINAR SERIES speaker. Dr. Krueger-Hadfield is a Assistant Professor at University of Alabama at Birmingham. Her seminar was titled “The Curious Case of Complex Life Cycles: Mating System Variation in Haploid-Diploid Seaweeds” Krueger-Hadfield met with faculty and students during her stay for further discussion during meals and appointments.
CNET: Scientists say there's a virus that makes you stupid
A surprise discovery found that the ATCV-1 virus, which comes from algae, seems to affect human cognition. Previously, it had been thought that humans weren't prone to infection by this virus. James Van Etten, a University of Nebraska-Lincoln plant pathologist involved in the research, says that the virus doesn't appear to be contagious. CNET writer Chris Matyszczyk quips that the virus may explain those days when you can't get things right.
Greeley Tribune: Wheat rust a growing problem for Colorado, Weld County farmers
Wheat rust, a fungal disease that reduced grain production, has raised major concerns among Colorado farmers. The disease is occurring earlier and more widespread than in the past. Stephen Wegulo, an extension plant pathologist at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, said it costs $25 to $30 per acre to treat wheat with a fungicide.
The Daily Beast: Global warming could revive giant viruses now dormant in permafrost
James Van Etten, a plant pathologist at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, says that viruses released by thawing permafrost are unlikely to infect humans.