Discover the 'Crazy' Hidden Lifeform Inside Your Body That Scientists Just Uncovered!
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In a revelation that's stirring up the scientific community, researchers have stumbled upon a bizarre new lifeform that's been quietly residing within us – yes, inside our very own bodies! Dubbed 'obelisks,' these virus-like entities are not just a new discovery; they're reshaping our understanding of the microscopic world that thrives within the human microbiome.
The discovery of obelisks is akin to finding a secret room in a house you thought you knew well. These entities are circular bits of genetic material, specifically RNA, that have the remarkable ability to self-organize into a rod-like shape. What's more, they're not just an anomaly found in a few individuals; obelisks are present in half of the world's population. This widespread presence was only revealed when researchers, sifting through genetic libraries, noticed patterns that didn't match any known organisms.
Obelisks have made themselves at home in the bacteria that inhabit our mouths and guts. They're not just passing through either; they can live inside their host for about a year. But the big question on everyone's mind is: how do they spread? And more importantly, are they friends, foes, or simply neutral passengers on the journey through our bodies?
The genomes of these obelisks are loops of RNA that bear a resemblance to viroids – plant-infecting viruses. This similarity has left experts scratching their heads, wondering why such entities are found in bacteria associated with humans. Mark Peifer, a cell and developmental biologist who was not involved in the research, expressed his amazement at Science, saying, 'The more we look, the more crazy things we see.'
The implications of this discovery are vast. If obelisks are indeed capable of infecting a wide range of species, they may have played a significant role in the evolution of biodiversity on Earth. They could be ancient evolutionary passengers, stealthily influencing the development of life as we know it.
But before we get ahead of ourselves, let's address a pressing concern: could these newly discovered lifeforms make us sick? It's a valid question, especially considering that there is a species of viroid, Hepatitis D, known to cause illness in humans. Like viroids and viruses, obelisks are technically non-living organisms that rely on a host to survive. They don't eat, regenerate, or reproduce in the traditional sense. Yet, some researchers speculate that entities like viroids – and possibly obelisks – might represent some of the earliest forms of life on Earth.
The team behind this groundbreaking research, led by Stanford biochemist Ivan Zheludev, identified obelisks by meticulously analysing data from an RNA database. This database contained thousands of sequences collected from various human sources, including our mouths and guts. The team searched for single-stranded circular RNA molecules that didn't match any known viroid sequences and didn't code for proteins. Their diligence paid off, revealing an astonishing 30,000 distinct types of obelisks.
These obelisks had flown under the radar because their genetic makeup is unlike any lifeform we've previously documented. However, the findings published in the journal Cell suggest that obelisks are far from rare. In fact, they're quite common, with half of the global population carrying them in their mouths and a smaller percentage in their guts.
The research team believes that obelisks colonise bacterial cells to replicate, much like a virus infects a host and then multiplies within it. Evidence of this host-pathogen relationship was found in Streptococcus sanguinis, a common bacterial component of dental plaque that hosts a specific type of obelisk. This discovery is particularly exciting because this species of bacteria can be easily grown in the lab, paving the way for future studies to understand how obelisks survive and replicate inside microbial cells.
All discovered obelisks encode a major protein known as tubulin, and many also encode a second, smaller version of this protein. Obulins are unlike any other known proteins, leaving scientists in the dark about their functions and purposes.
At present, the evolutionary and ecological roles of obelisks are a matter of speculation. They could be parasitic and harmful, beneficial, or entirely benign to their host cells. If future research uncovers that obelisks significantly impact the health or functionality of the human microbiome, it could be a monumental discovery for human health.
So, dear members of the Seniors Discount Club, as we marvel at the wonders of the microscopic world within us, let's stay tuned for what further research will reveal about these mysterious obelisks. Who knows? They might just be the key to unlocking new secrets of human health and evolution. What are your thoughts on these peculiar new residents of our bodies? Share your musings in the comments below!
The discovery of obelisks is akin to finding a secret room in a house you thought you knew well. These entities are circular bits of genetic material, specifically RNA, that have the remarkable ability to self-organize into a rod-like shape. What's more, they're not just an anomaly found in a few individuals; obelisks are present in half of the world's population. This widespread presence was only revealed when researchers, sifting through genetic libraries, noticed patterns that didn't match any known organisms.
Scientists have uncovered new virus-like entities called 'obelisks' inside human bodies. Credit: VladimirFloyd / iStock
Obelisks have made themselves at home in the bacteria that inhabit our mouths and guts. They're not just passing through either; they can live inside their host for about a year. But the big question on everyone's mind is: how do they spread? And more importantly, are they friends, foes, or simply neutral passengers on the journey through our bodies?
The genomes of these obelisks are loops of RNA that bear a resemblance to viroids – plant-infecting viruses. This similarity has left experts scratching their heads, wondering why such entities are found in bacteria associated with humans. Mark Peifer, a cell and developmental biologist who was not involved in the research, expressed his amazement at Science, saying, 'The more we look, the more crazy things we see.'
The implications of this discovery are vast. If obelisks are indeed capable of infecting a wide range of species, they may have played a significant role in the evolution of biodiversity on Earth. They could be ancient evolutionary passengers, stealthily influencing the development of life as we know it.
But before we get ahead of ourselves, let's address a pressing concern: could these newly discovered lifeforms make us sick? It's a valid question, especially considering that there is a species of viroid, Hepatitis D, known to cause illness in humans. Like viroids and viruses, obelisks are technically non-living organisms that rely on a host to survive. They don't eat, regenerate, or reproduce in the traditional sense. Yet, some researchers speculate that entities like viroids – and possibly obelisks – might represent some of the earliest forms of life on Earth.
The team behind this groundbreaking research, led by Stanford biochemist Ivan Zheludev, identified obelisks by meticulously analysing data from an RNA database. This database contained thousands of sequences collected from various human sources, including our mouths and guts. The team searched for single-stranded circular RNA molecules that didn't match any known viroid sequences and didn't code for proteins. Their diligence paid off, revealing an astonishing 30,000 distinct types of obelisks.
These obelisks had flown under the radar because their genetic makeup is unlike any lifeform we've previously documented. However, the findings published in the journal Cell suggest that obelisks are far from rare. In fact, they're quite common, with half of the global population carrying them in their mouths and a smaller percentage in their guts.
The research team believes that obelisks colonise bacterial cells to replicate, much like a virus infects a host and then multiplies within it. Evidence of this host-pathogen relationship was found in Streptococcus sanguinis, a common bacterial component of dental plaque that hosts a specific type of obelisk. This discovery is particularly exciting because this species of bacteria can be easily grown in the lab, paving the way for future studies to understand how obelisks survive and replicate inside microbial cells.
All discovered obelisks encode a major protein known as tubulin, and many also encode a second, smaller version of this protein. Obulins are unlike any other known proteins, leaving scientists in the dark about their functions and purposes.
At present, the evolutionary and ecological roles of obelisks are a matter of speculation. They could be parasitic and harmful, beneficial, or entirely benign to their host cells. If future research uncovers that obelisks significantly impact the health or functionality of the human microbiome, it could be a monumental discovery for human health.
