A hantavirus outbreak linked to the MV Hondius cruise ship has left three people dead and five others ill. Health officials say the culprit is the rare Andes strain, detected in South America, notable for potential person to person spread—unlike most hantaviruses. Experts stress public risk remains low, but the virus can worsen quickly, making early care vital.
Scientists have named Daturodendron absconditum, a newly classified tree genus found in the Colombian Andes cloud forests. After more than two decades of research, the tree is identified as a distant relative of tomatoes and potatoes, with distinct physical traits and an ancient genetic lineage. The discovery underscores how plant taxonomy and conservation remain urgent, even for species hiding in remote habitats.
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