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Viruses Infected By Viruses

Posted by samzenpus on from the hoist-with-its-own-petard dept.

SpaceAdmiral writes "Scientists have discovered a virus that can infect another virus. The fact that viruses can essentially get sick may change the debate over whether they are alive or not. Check out Nature for a slightly more technical article about the 'virophage.'"

15 of 341 comments (clear)

  1. cancer by the_Bionic_lemming · · Score: 2, Funny

    How long till these things are linked to stuff like cancer?

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    _ _ _ Go for the eyes Boo! GO FOR THE EYES!
    1. Re:cancer by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

      No, no! Human Pamplona virus is the one that makes seemingly healthy, sane people go running with the bulls!

    2. Re:cancer by spoop · · Score: 2, Funny

      Human Pamplona Virus? Is that the one that chases you through the streets?

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      I blame geof's speakers.
  2. Endlessly recusrive life definitions by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    "The fact that viruses can essentially get sick may change the debate over whether they are alive or not."

    Ya ... to the debate over whether the viruses that make the viruses sick are alive or not.

    1. Re:Endlessly recusrive life definitions by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

      "The fact that viruses can essentially get sick may change the debate over whether they are alive or not."

      Ya ... to the debate over whether the viruses that make the viruses sick are alive or not.

      It's living viruses all the way down.

  3. Virus eating virus eating virus.... by HeadlessNotAHorseman · · Score: 5, Funny

    So a virus that attacks viruses eh? I wonder if there a virus that attacks the virus that attacks the viruses? And a virus that attacks the virus that attacks the virus that...er...well, you know what I mean. And what if the first virus evolves to attack the last virus....every time you get one of those mysterious unidentified itches it could just be a ring of viruses all chasing each other around in circles!

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    I like my coffee the way I like my women - roasted and ground up into little tiny pieces.
  4. Re:Software Viri too? by Telvin_3d · · Score: 5, Funny

    The local phone book makes an interesting read if that's the excuse you need to relax with some good whikey

  5. "Viruses Infected By Viruses" by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny

    OH.. Oh.. ohhh.. ok. I read the headline and I said "Man! Again, another article about Windows Vista!"

    Kidding!

  6. Re:Classical definiton of Living Organism by jasonmanley · · Score: 3, Funny

    Somewhere in the world a grammar nazi just had a stroke at their keyboard.

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    http://projectleader.wordpress.com
  7. Re:not alive by BobNET · · Score: 2, Funny

    *I* can't self-replicate, and I'm alive.

    But you're on Slashdot, and therefore have no life.

  8. Re:reproduction by houghi · · Score: 4, Funny

    Tricking to reproduce? Humans have been done this for ages.

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    Don't fight for your country, if your country does not fight for you.
  9. Re:here we go again by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    You will be SO freaked out next time you meet an Earth elemental...

  10. Re:reproduction by x2A · · Score: 2, Funny

    the noise you make when a heavy concept lands on your toe, especially when your feet are cold.

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    The revolution will not be televised... but it will have a page on Wikipedia
  11. Re:reproduction by Vampo · · Score: 3, Funny

    which of course brings us to the conclusion that mules are sometimes (rarely) alive

  12. Re:reproduction by DarkKnightRadick · · Score: 2, Funny

    so sex is a viral meme?

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    "There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death." Proverbs 16:25 (NKJV)