"Before this work, how viruses linked to large-scale changes in Earth's climate had remained largely uninvestigated," remarked ZhiPing Zhong, an OSU research associate who led the new study on the viruses, published this week in the journal Nature Geosciences.
"Glacial ice is so precious, and we often don't have the large amounts of material required for virus and microbe research," stated Zhong, reflecting on the rarity of such samples.
Of the over 1,700 viral species discovered in this latest Guliya core sample, about three quarters are brand new, with some potentially having traveled from areas like the Middle East or even the Arctic.
The most distinct viral community found dates back about 11,500 years, coinciding with significant climate shifts from the Last Glacial Stage, illustrating the connection between viruses and climate changes.
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