Viruses challenge our definition of life. Neither dead nor alive, they are simply functional or not. Viruses do not possess the machinery to replicate themselves. Yet you can even argue that they are more evolved than us. With each discovery about viruses, we realize there is so much more to learn.
病毒挑战了我们对生命的定义。它们没有活着和死了的区别，只有是否还具有功能。病毒没有自我复制的机制。不过你也可以说，这意味着它们在进化上比我们更先进。每个关于病毒的发现，都让我们意识到自己知识的有限。
10.黑寡妇病毒
Scientists have recently discovered a virus containing the gene for black widow poison.
科学家新近发现了一种带有黑寡妇毒蛛毒素的病毒。
The WO virus specifically targets Wolbachia bacteria in arthropods. Latrotoxin kills by poking holes in cell membranes. It is believed that the venom genes allow the WO virus to break through cells and evade the host’s immune system. This is the first time animal genes have been seen in bacteriophages—bacteria-targeting viruses.
WO病毒的宿主是感染节肢动物的沃尔巴克氏菌。黑寡妇毒蛛毒素致命的原理是戳破细胞膜。据称，这种毒素的基因使WO病毒侵入细胞，并攻陷宿主的免疫系统。这是微生物界发现的第一种动物基因——攻击细菌的病毒。
Experts hypothesize that the virus picked up the genetic material after breaking out of a Wolbachia bacterium into a black widow cell. However, it is possible the spider stole the gene from the WO virus.
专家推断，WO病毒在裂解一个沃尔巴克氏菌后，将遗传物质带入了黑寡妇的细胞。不过，也可能是这种蜘蛛偷了WO病毒的基因。
9.不孕病毒
A mysterious viral infection may be the cause of half of unexplained cases of infertility. In one-quarter of infertility cases—roughly one in 70 women under the age of 44—doctors cannot find a cause. An Italian research team discovered that a virus in the herpes family is to blame. It causes immune reactions that make the womb inhospitable for an embryo. Customized anti-viral treatment could offer help.
一种神秘的病毒感染，可能是半数不明原因不孕的原因。在四分之一的病例中，也就是70名44岁以下妇女中的一人，医生找不到病因。一个意大利研究团队发现，罪魁祸首是一种疱疹病毒。它会导致免疫反应，使子宫不适合胚胎存活。
The team studied 30 mothers and 30 women with unexplained infertility. 13 of the infertile women were infected with HHV-6A. None of the mothers had it. This herpes variety was discovered over 30 years ago but remains a mystery. HHV-6A infection releases estradiol hormone, which triggers ovulation and prepares a womb for fertilization.
该团队研究了30名妈妈和30名不明原因不孕的妇女。13 名不孕妇女都感染了HHV-6A，但没有妈妈感染。这种疱疹病毒变体30多年前就被发现，但一直是个迷。HHV-6A感染导致雌二醇释放，刺激排卵并使子宫增厚。
8.幸存者病毒
Scientists have recently unlocked the secrets to a virus that can survive boiling acid.
科学家近期破解了抗沸酸病毒的秘密。
The SIRV2 virus infects a microbe called Sulfolobus islandicus, which lives in acidic hot springs where temperatures top 80 degrees Celsius (175 °F). Using a Titan Krios electron microscope to examine the specimens in previously unimaginable detail, scientists have unlocked the basic mechanism of resistance to heat, desiccation, and ultra-violet radiation.
SIRV2感染一种叫冰岛硫化叶菌的微生物。这种微生物生活在温度可达80摄氏度的酸性热泉中。通过Titan Krios电子显微镜，科学家观察到了过去无法想像的病毒细节，解密了它耐热、耐旱、还抗紫外线辐射的机制。
SIRV2 forces genetic material into a protective structural state called A-formation to survive extreme conditions. The mechanism is remarkably similar to the spores bacteria form to survive such environments. These spores are known to cause hard to combat diseases like anthrax. Scientists plan on using these survival mechanisms to design a DNA package for gene therapy.
SIRV2将遗传物质转化成一种叫A字阵式的保护性结构，从而在极端条件下存活。这种机制与细菌面对极端环境时产生的孢子非常像。炭疽热之类的疾病难以治愈，就是因为孢子。科学家准备通过这种生存机制，设计一种基因治疗用的DNA包。
7.复合病毒
Normal viruses have all their genes in one viral particle. This viral ball attaches to a cell, opens, and injects its genetic material inside. The host cell begins replicating the virus. Once enough copies are made, they kill the cell, break free, and infect more.
通常，病毒的全部基因都储存在一个病毒颗粒中。这个颗粒附在细胞上并打开它，把自己的遗传物质注入其中。然后宿主细胞就开始复制病毒了。复制体足够多后就裂解并离开宿主，感染更多细胞。
The Guaico Culex virus is different. To become infected, a cell needs to be exposed to four varieties of packages. A fifth appears optional.
Guaico Culex病毒则与此不同。4种变体一起，才能感染细胞。当然也可以再加上一种。
Named after the region in Trinidad it originated, Guaico Culex was discovered during a comprehensive study by the US Army Medical Team to isolate mosquito-borne viruses around the globe. While researchers do not believe Guaico Culex virus can infect mammals, they recently discovered a closely related variety in Uganda's red colobus monkeys.
美军医疗队在一个分离全球蚊媒病毒的综合性研究中，发现了这种病毒。它的名字就来源于特立尼达拉岛的发源地。虽然研究人员不认为Guaico Culex可以感染哺乳动物，他们最近还是在乌干达的红疣猴身上，发现了该病毒的近亲。
6.Human Endogenous Retrovirus
6.人内源性逆转录病毒HERV
Roughly 8 percent of the human genome comes from ancient viruses. Retroviruses reproduce by inserting their genetic material into a host and hijacking its replication machinery. Occasionally, these viruses infect sperm and egg cells. If these cells survive, they go on to create an organism containing the virus's DNA in every cell. These are referred to as endogenous retroviruses—in humans, HERVs. The vast majority are considered non-functional "fossils." However, a small portion are still intact and can make infectious particles.
人类基因组中，大约8%来自远古病毒。逆转录病毒将自身遗传物质注入宿主，从而劫持其复制系统，达到复制自身的目的。这些病毒偶尔会入侵精子和卵细胞。如果这些细胞存活了下来，就会产生每个细胞都含有这种病毒DNA的新个体。它们被称作内源性逆转录病毒，在人体中就是HERV。它们中大部分似乎是没有功能的“基因遗迹”。不过也有一小部分保持着活性，能制造传染性微粒。
Despite being millions of years old, the HERV-K group of viruses appears capable of replicating. Researchers recently discovered a variant that contains no mutations that would downgrade its function. It is believed that this HERV-K remained "alive" within humans until recently. Scientists are unsure whether the dormant virus could reemerge. There is speculation that HERV-K might have been selected for a survival advantage it offered.
HERV-K病毒家族虽然有几百万年历史了，却似乎仍有复制能力。研究人员近期发现了一种变体，不包含能降低其功能的变异。似乎直到最近，它都在人体内保持着活性。科学家不确定这种休眠的病毒是否会重出江湖。有人猜测，HERV-K能留下来，可能是因为它带来了进化优势。
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