In 1918, an influenza pandemic that originated with avian flu killed 50 million people. Researchers isolated samples of that vir
us from bodies of infected people preserved in Alaskan permafrost since 1918. From the samples, they sequenced the viral genome, then reconstructed the virus. The reconstructed virus is 39,000 times more infectious than modern influenza strains, and 100 percent lethal in mice. Understanding how this virus works can help us defend ourselves against other strains that may arise. For example, discovering what makes it so infectious and deadly would help us design more effective vaccines. Critics of the research are concerned: If the virus escapes the containment facilities (even though it has not done so yet), it might cause another pandemic. Worse, the published DNA sequence and methods to make the virus could be used for criminal purposes. Do you think this research makes us more or less safe?
Without this information the virus would not be contained, we would not have done research, taken samples, tested out the virus, or even attempted to contain it. With this information we can attempt to prevent a break out of the disease again. This is my personal opinion though.
Answer: A new study in the journal Biotechnology for Biofuels has found that those wasted watermelons could be turned into up to 2.5 million gallons of ethanol. It turns out that watermelon juice is a great base to make ethanol from -- it's full of sugar and yeast-friendly amino acids.
