Science - Chelsea Q. Enad

Zombie Viruses: “Back-from-the-Dead”
Chealsea Q. Enad
Zombie movies lure the entertainment world since the early 2000s, giving off
thrills, goosebumps, and fright among viewers. Recently, the thawing of permafrost (a
frozen layer) due to climate change paved the way for the discovery of 13 ancient
viruses by the French National Centre for Scientific Research in Russia. The news
strikes the world like something straight from a horror movie.
“Zombie Viruses” stands for viruses that are dormant or inactive for thousands of
years. These viruses were alive during pre-historic times, became frozen, and are now
back to life as the ice melts due to warmer Earth’s temperature. The oldest among the
newly discovered virus was a 48,500-year-old amoeba-infecting virus named
Pandoravirus yedoma. The virus has a gigantic size misidentified as bacteria containing
2,500 genes, a huge number compared to modern viruses with only 20 genes.
Pandoravirus infect singled cell amoeba bending to its own will, making it the site of
production with no sign of infecting human in ancient time.
The danger is still unclear. However, Pandoravirus pose no danger to human life.
More welcome as permafrost slowly roll back bringing to the surface what is buried
millions of years ago. It’s the first hazard. The increase of greenhouse gasses drives
climate change worst due to the exposure of the decay organic matter, the second
threat.
The permafrost holds an unknown mysterious creature waiting to be unlocked.
Humanity knows very little about these prehistoric microbes thus, every life form on
Earth isn’t ready for what is coming. But until we find out, the hazard of ancient
microorganisms emerging into the shell of the Earth becomes a new menace the human
kind push by climate change.
WATER IS THE SOURCE OF LIFE
By: Chelsea Q. Enad
The Earth is in-depth with natural resources, you can find it beneath, above or even on the side.
Nothing is more essential to life on Earth than water, playing a magnificent role in all aspects of our daily
lives. Domestic, agricultural, industrial, transportation, scientific use, firefighting, and even in
entertainment are just some of the basic uses of water. Moreover, it can’t be denied that water is the
driving force of nature, touching every single life on Earth.
Water embeds with mystery. Our bodies are mostly composed of water. It makes life possible
among living organisms by flushing waste from our bodies, regulating body temperature, and transporting
nutrients in the process of digestion. A newborn baby is about 78% of water and adults are 60% water. A
person can survive without food for months but can’t just 3 days without water. In this case, humankind is
dependent on water. The human body weight makes up of water around 60-75%, the loss of just 4%
leads to dehydration and can lead fatal to losing up to 15% of water. Hence, drinking water 6 to 8 glasses
a day is recommended.
Despite the gargantuan role of water in life, the World Water Vision observed that the daily
consumption of water is managed inappropriately affecting thousands of humans and the environment as
well. Some of the world’s population suffers from severe water scarcity and 17 countries consume more
water than they did during the natural cycle. Middle East and North Africa, identified the highest rate of
water scarcity. As some can’t manage water correctly, uncountable people suffer from water pollution
having severe effects. As a result, thousands of humans, generally children, die every
year due to water contamination. This environmental matter includes a lack of water
supply, sewage services and not having good hygiene contributing to the current water
crisis. Thus, managing water resources properly is the best an individual can do to
decline this contamination and resolve the water crisis.
Earth’s surface is covered with 96.5% of salt water. Yet only 2.5% is freshwater.
Undeniably, water is the biggest resource, yet the safe water is so minute causing
unprivileged people not having the access to safe drinking water to die. Human survival
is anchored in the water, without water human life on Earth would be impossible. From
this, keep Earth’s water safe, and manage it well before it’s too late.

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Zombie Viruses: “Back-from-the-Dead”

By: Chelsea Q. Enad

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