this post was submitted on 02 Dec 2024
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Science Memes

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[–] disguy_ovahea@lemmy.world 52 points 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago) (12 children)

True! Here’s a little additional information since the north is in virus season.

A virus is a protein wrapped in a protective fatty lipid. Heat will melt the fat, then break down the protein. That’s why viruses last longer on surfaces and clothing in the cold season, increasing probability of transmission. A virus can remain intact on a shopping cart handle for up to 24 hours in the winter, for example.

You can also rapidly break down the fatty lipid using isopropyl alcohol, or break down the protein directly using hydrogen peroxide. Be careful using the latter. It can bleach or discolor dyed textiles.

[–] DarkCloud@lemmy.world 35 points 3 weeks ago (8 children)

Bats use heat to fly off their viruses, they get pretty bad ones, but when they're flying Bats get really hot. So it burns them off.

Also, some viruses have evolved into us and ended up serving functions in the human bawdy.

[–] disguy_ovahea@lemmy.world 27 points 3 weeks ago

Yup. Up to 8% of the human genome is comprised of ancient viruses.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/search/research-news/17366

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