Friday, May 12, 2006

Today's paper that everyone is talking about

Could viruses (which I still insist should be pluralized viri) have played an integral role in the transition from an RNA world to our DNA world? Patrick Forterre argues that not only is such the case, but that three independent transfers underly the three domains of life (Archaea, Eubacteria, and Eukarya).

I could synopsize this argument for you, but I've been beat to the punch: John Timmer has already covered it for Ars Technica, and Carl Zimmer for Science (free version available on his website here). I'd throw in my two cents, but I've got to go do my hair before the Dick Dale show tonite.

Just kidding. Only losers do their hair for a show. Besides, I did mine over an hour ago.

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