The rewritten article:

Predicting Virus Reservoirs: A Machine Learning Model for Pandemic Prevention

A team of researchers from Washington State University has developed an innovative machine learning model that can aid in preventing pandemics by identifying animal species that may harbor and spread viruses capable of infecting humans. The model analyzes host characteristics and virus genetics to pinpoint potential reservoirs and geographic areas where new outbreaks are more likely to occur.

The researchers, led by experts Stephanie Seifert, Katie Tseng, and Pilar Fernandez, recently published their findings in the journal Communications Biology. Their study focused on orthopoxviruses – a family of viruses that includes smallpox and mpox – and identified Southeast Asia, equatorial Africa, and the Amazon as potential hotspots for outbreaks.

The model’s predictive accuracy was higher than previous models, which relied solely on ecological traits of animals, such as habitat and diet. The researchers added a crucial aspect to their model by incorporating the genetic makeup of viruses, providing a more comprehensive understanding of how they spread across species.

“We wanted to add the other side of the story, the characteristics of the viruses,” Fernandez said. “Our model improves the accuracy of host predictions and provides a clearer picture of how viruses may spread across species.”

The model’s findings have significant implications for disease prevention and control. By identifying potential reservoirs, scientists can anticipate emerging zoonotic threats and take proactive measures to prevent pandemics.

“This is a game-changer in our fight against infectious diseases,” said Seifert. “If we can better predict which species pose the greatest risk, we can take targeted actions to prevent outbreaks.”

The researchers believe their model can be adapted for other viruses, making it a valuable tool in disease prevention efforts worldwide. As Tseng noted, “While we used the model specifically for orthopoxviruses, we can also go in a lot of different directions and start fine-tuning this model for other viruses.”

As researchers at Penn State and Baylor College of Medicine continue to unravel the mysteries of Zika virus, they have made a groundbreaking discovery. The team found that the Zika virus builds tiny tunnels, called tunneling nanotubes, to stealthily transport material needed to infect nearby cells, including in placental cells. This unique ability allows the virus to cross the placental barrier and transmit from mother to fetus during pregnancy, often without raising alarm in the immune system.

The research team, led by Anoop Narayanan, a research professor of biochemistry and molecular biology at Penn State, demonstrated for the first time that one specific Zika protein – non-structural protein 1 (NS1) – is responsible for the formation of the nanotubes. This discovery is a significant step toward identifying measures to prevent infection and potential targets for antiviral therapies.

Zika virus infections among adults usually aren’t serious, but if a pregnant woman is infected, there’s a chance the virus can affect the development of the fetus, resulting in neurological disorders and other abnormalities. The researchers emphasized that having something to prevent this infection from proceeding to a fetus is crucial, especially since human infections of Zika virus have declined, but the threat of future epidemics remains.

The team also discovered that the protein NS1 is responsible for the development of the tiny tunnels. While NS1 is an important protein for flaviviruses and plays an essential role in viral replication, it does not spur the development of nanotubes in other viruses.

Next, the team will work to identify the specific signaling pathway activated by NS1 that leads to the creation of the tubes. By doing so, they hope to identify potential drug targets for antiviral medication. They will also begin studies in a mouse model.

“This is like a detective story. We don’t understand the mechanism for how these tubes are formed yet, so we are continuing to ask more questions,” Joyce Jose, associate professor of biochemistry and molecular biology at Penn State, said.

The study was funded by grants from the NIH’s National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, the NIH’s National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, and Penn State. The research team consisted of scientists from Baylor College of Medicine, including Indira Mysorekar, E.I. Wagner Endowed, M.D., Chair of Internal Medicine II and professor of medicine; Rafael Michita, postdoctoral research associate; Long Tran, graduate student; Steven Bark, bioinformatics analyst; and Deepak Kumar, postdoctoral associate.