infected

CNIO researchers have discovered the essential role of endogenous retroviruses in embryonic development, specifically in the transition from totipotency to pluripotency. This study, which challenges the previous notion of ‘junk DNA’, sheds light on the symbiotic relationship between viral genes and early embryonic development, with implications for regenerative medicine. Credit: SciTechDaily.comAt least 8% of the human genome is genetic material from viruses. It was considered ‘junk DNA’ until recently, but its role in…

A study of 26 years' worth of wolf behavioral data, and an analysis of the blood of 229 wolves, has shown that infection with the parasite Toxoplasma gondii makes wolves 46 times more likely to become a pack leader.The research shows that the effects of this parasite in the wild have been horrendously understudied – and its role in ecosystems and animal behavior underestimated.If you have a cat, you've probably heard of this parasite before. The microscopic organism can only sexually reproduce in the bodies of felines,…

The tick Ixodes ricinus can transmit the TBE-virus to humans. Credit: Tove Hoffman, Uppsala UniversityA new study conducted by Uppsala University and the University Hospital in Uppsala reveals that the actual number of infections caused by the tick-borne TBE virus is significantly higher than previously estimated. This study, which examined Swedish blood donors, has been published in the journal Eurosurveillance, associated with the EU’s Centre for Disease Prevention and Control.“We were very surprised that such a high…

It has been known for some time now that chemicals produced by certain ants have antibiotic properties. For the first time ever, however, one species of ant has recently been observed actually using those chemicals to treat infected battle wounds on others of its kind.The species in question, the Matabele ant (Megaponera analis), is found in various regions of Africa south of the Sahara Desert.It feeds exclusively on termites, meaning that groups of the ants periodically have to perform raids on nearby termite colonies.…

Computer security software company McAfee discovered 14 infected apps on Google Play, with three having 100,000 installs each, reports Bleeping Computer. Researchers have identified an Android backdoor named ‘Xamalicious’, which has infected approximately 338,300 devices via malicious apps on Google Play.Computer security software company McAfee discovered 14 infected apps on Google Play, with three having 100,000 installs each, reports Bleeping Computer.Although the apps have been removed from Google Play,…

For what will hopefully be the last time in 2023, we have a few more malicious Android apps to warn you about. The McAfee Mobile Research Team recently uncovered 25 apps infected with Xamalicious malware, several of which were distributed on the Google Play store. Google has since removed the apps, but they might still be on your phone. If so, you should delete them as soon as possible and keep an eye on your accounts.These are the infected apps that have since been removed from Google Play: Essential…

On a warm, blustery December afternoon outside the De Laurentis olive oil-producing co-op in the white hilltop town of Ostuni, Puglia, Luigi D'Amico holds out his palm, revealing an olive picked earlier in the day.Instead of resembling the plump, gleaming green and black fruit overflowing in bins around him, this one is half-consumed, dry and shrunken."That's what the olive fly does," he explained. "It lays its larvae, which then devours the olive."D'Amico lists off other pests and fungi — olive leprosy, peacock's eye…

Tens of thousands of Android phones have fallen victim to a dangerous stalkerware app that covertly harvests private data. Known as Spyhide, this malicious software has managed to infiltrate 60,000 Android devices since 2016, according to a TechCrunch report. Unlike regular hacking apps that send stolen data to cybercriminals, stalkerware like Spyhide gathers sensitive information and transmits it back to individuals who seek to monitor their victims.Alarming discoveryThe real danger lies in the stalkerware's ability to…

Mini-games have soared in popularity over the recent years. Millions of users take to them for the thrill of it all. However, some malicious apps have been designed to take advantage of this habit of innocent, unsuspecting, users in such a way that they end up downloading spyware-infected apps on their phones. The security team at Dr. Web have uncovered a spyware module within these apps, which they have named 'SpinOk'. Dr. Web team says, "Developers can embed it into all sorts of apps and games, including those…

The Guerrilla malware has targeted nearly 9 million Android devices globally, including smartphones, watches, TVs, and TV boxes. The malware is distributed by Lemon Group, which is one of the most notorious cybercrime organizations. Gadgets are always at risk of getting infected with malware, and once in a while, we hear about a new malware that targets users. Recently, McAfee researchers warned users to remove 38 Android games as soon as possible because they were running advertising in the background. Now, the…