Slashdot Mirror
Viral Fossil Brought Back To Life
hey hey hey writes "In a controversial study, researchers have resurrected a retrovirus that infected our ancestors millions of years ago and now sits frozen in the human genome. Published online by Genome Research this week, the study may shed new light on the history of these genomic intruders, as well as their role in tumors. Although this particular virus, dubbed Phoenix, is a wimpy one, some argue that resuscitating any ancient virus is inherently risky and that the study should have undergone stricter reviews."
Yes, but the further away from the center of gravity you get, the weaker the gravitational pull. And, the closer you get to the center of gravity the greater the gravitational pull. I understand your point, though, that as you dig down into the Earth, the gravity of the matter above you would begin to counteract the gravity of the matter below you. Reaching the center causes you to meet the equilibrium. However, if one were to assume the gravitational pull at the center of the Earth was actually zero, there would be no reason for the matter at the center of the Earth to remain where it is... EXCEPT for the fact that the matter above it is pulling it down. The same could be said about all layers of matter until you reach the surface. It goes against logical thinking that the only reason the Earth is being held together is due to the weaker gravitational forces at the surface pushing down on the matter at the depths of stronger gravitational forces. If you were to over-think this process, by digging a hole to the center of the Earth, you would essentially be changing the center of gravity's location. A little like chasing the end of the rainbow to me. Perhaps there is also something to be said by the density of the atmosphere. Since the density of the atmosphere is less dense the higher you go, wouldn't it become more dense the further you get to the center of the Earth? If that's the case, what kind of buoyant effect would it have to counteract the pull of gravity? Perhaps due to this, it would be impossible to drill down so far since the densities would become presumably greater and greater as would the atmospheric pressure. Anyway, I still think it's a bad idea to tinker around with otherwise inactive organisms or viruses.