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Deep in Siberia’s permafrost, scientists have revived “zombie viruses” that have been frozen for tens of thousands of years — and headlines warn they could spark the next pandemic. In this episode of Howtown, we investigate the real science behind these ancient microbes: what’s actually being found in the Arctic, how giant viruses like Pithovirus sibericum survive for millennia, and whether thawing permafrost could ever release a pathogen capable of infecting humans. From mammoth carcasses to anthrax outbreaks to the relatively recent discovery of enormous amoeba-infecting viruses, this video breaks down the five steps any ancient microbe would need to start a pandemic — and why the truth is more fascinating than frightening.

Chapters:
00:00 what’s lurking?
00:48 5 steps to a pandemic
01:30 the mammoth’s trunk
02:43 permafrost 101
03:24 batagaika crater
04:43 your career
05:44 zombie bacteria
07:18 zombie viruses
08:53 giant viruses
10:55 hard out there for a pox
11:23 meet a human
12:30 infect?
13:21 smallpox
14:24 1918 flu
16:32 should we worry?
19:02 joss has bad news
20:50 credits

[…]