Bats have evolved to carry viruses without getting sick

Bats are uniquely suited to act as reservoirs of viruses

Some of the deadliest diseases to jump from animals to humans originate in bat species. This rich visualization explores the diversity of bats and the factors that make them efficient vectors for harboring and transmitting disease, from their long lifespans to their migration patterns.

Ebola's natural reservoir species are likely bats

But the virus doesn't seem to sicken the animals, so capturing an infected bat and performing necessary tests has remained challenging. Though many scientists believe fruit bats are the reservoir species for the virus, Ebola viral RNA fragments were detected in a greater long-fingered bat captured in 2016 in Liberia. The species isn't a fruit bat—it roosts in caves and feeds on insects. The scientist behind the discovery states that he believes the virus likely infects multiple host species and that the hosts may differ regionally. (Some users may encounter a paywall.)

Scientists have struggled to pin down Ebola's natural reservoir species for decades, but the available evidence suggests that it's very likely fruit and insect-eating bats found in Africa.

Using mosquitoes to vaccinate bats could curb the spread of deadly diseases

Researchers in China tested a transmissible rabies vaccine in the lab by feeding mosquitoes blood containing the vaccine and observing what happened to bats when they were either bitten by the mosquitoes or fed on them. The bats developed antibodies against rabies and survived subsequent rabies infection. (Some users may encounter a paywall.)

Watch how viruses like Ebola can spill over from animals to humans—and vice-versa.

Vampire bats are the only mammal to feed exclusively on blood

Scientists believe their ancestors may have eaten parasites and insects off larger animals until vampire bats started feeding directly from those animals. Colonies work together to stay fed, as a vampire bat can die without just two days of eating.

Watch how viruses like Ebola can spill over from animals to humans—and vice-versa

More than 70% of all new infectious diseases originate in animals. Referred to as zoonotic diseases, these are diseases that originate in animals and occasionally spill over or jump from animals to humans. Bats, mosquitoes, and primates have all been linked to spillover events. As human populations push further into previously uninhabited wilderness, animal-human contact increases, and disease spillover is inevitable.

West Nile Virus is maintained in nature, even without human infections

Mosquitoes pick up the virus when they feed on birds, and then pass it to other birds with their bite, delivering it via virus-laden saliva. Hundreds of different North American bird species can harbor the virus—even if they don't all get sick from it.

Ebola has an average fatality rate above 50%

The Ebola virus is one of the planet’s most feared bugs. Symptoms begin with fever and fatigue but quickly develop into severe vomiting, diarrhea, and internal and external bleeding. But why is it so deadly? In short, Ebola hijacks the immune system to rapidly make replicas of itself.

Some North American bats can glow in the dark

After examining 60 museum specimens from six different species, scientists found that all of them emitted light after being exposed to ultraviolet radiation. Researchers are perplexed by this natural phenomenon and are currently unable to deduce the reason behind it.

Marburg virus, related to Ebola, is also extremely deadly, and has no available vaccine.

Watch what the Ebola virus does inside our cells and organs in order to spread and survive.

Ebola is a filovirus, meaning it resembles a thread under a microscope, though it sometimes twists and can resemble a bowl of spaghetti.

The bats that live in and protect Portugal's libraries

Two 18th-century libraries in Portugal, the Joanina Library at the University of Coimbra and the Library at the National Palace of Mafra, are home to colonies of bats. These bats are welcome guests because they eat insects that could damage the manuscripts. Visitors can try to see the bats emerge at nightfall in Coimbra or visit on a rainy day and hear them. While catching a glimpse of the bats in Mafra is difficult, the library displays taxidermied remains of former residents.

Simulation of the coronavirus inside an aerosol droplet

A new simulation shows how the virus survives inside tiny airborne particles of water — and gives clues about how the Delta variant became dominant.

Seven known types of coronaviruses have jumped from animals to humans

Coronaviruses, including SARS-CoV-2, belong to a large family of viruses characterized by their crown-like appearance under a microscope, due to spike proteins on their surface. While thousands are believed to exist in animals, only seven are known to have made the jump to humans.

Explore 3D models of some of the most dangerous viruses

Everyone has come in contact with common viruses—typically something like influenza (the common flu)—but sometimes they encounter more dangerous strains. While we're familiar with the symptoms that manifest, it wasn't until the advent of advanced microscopy that scientists could pin down the exact structure and behavior of various viruses.

Human-to-human transmission of hantavirus remains extremely rare, so the 2026 hantavirus cruise ship outbreak doesn't mean we're facing a COVID-style pandemic risk.

Learn how monoclonal antibodies, which mimic the body's antibodies, can fight diseases like Ebola.

Learn how monoclonal antibodies, which mimic the body's antibodies, can fight diseases like Ebola

Monoclonal Antibodies mimic the antibodies produced naturally by the immune system. These molecules target specific parts of the virus, preventing them from entering cells or interfering with their ability to cause harm or infection.

Genetically modified viruses can help construct battery electrodes

MIT scientists' modifications caused the viruses to attract conductive materials, such as gold ions, which the viruses self-assembled into nanowires that could be used in batteries. These components allow batteries to be thinner and flexible enough to be constructed into new shapes.

Some animals may anchor their brain cells to specific landmarks to determine direction

In a study of bats exploring a new area, specific sets of "head direction cells" were seen becoming active based on bats' orientation when moving, and this activity became more coordinated over time. Researchers suspect, like humans, bats and other animals establish this sense of direction based on movement relative to known points of interest.

Up to 8% of the human genome consists of ancient viral DNA

Human endogenous retroviruses are remnants of infections that affected human primate ancestors millions of years ago and were passed on by infiltrating sperm and egg cells. Studies have shown that this DNA may play a role in immune responses and in placental formation.

Bears have evolved natural mechanisms to avoid blood clots while hibernating

Movement is essential to keeping blood from clotting, which raises the question of why animals such as hibernating bears don't suffer from clots despite going months lying still. New research suggesting that the animals may have evolved to have lower concentrations of a specific protein may explain this phenomenon.

What are universal vaccines?

As viruses mutate and develop, vaccines have to adapt, leading to regular recommended injections like flu shots. Researchers are working to develop universal vaccines that aim to protect against multiple virus variants if not entire virus families. These vaccines work by creating broadly neutralizing antibodies (bnAbs) that target aspects of viruses that don't typically mutate and are integral to the virus' survival.

Microgravity can alter the evolution of viruses and bacteria

Experiments conducted on the International Space Station have shown that microgravity environments can delay viral and bacterial infections and induce mutations not seen on Earth. These mutations could have implications for long-term space missions and human health and suggest space can serve as a testing ground for developing new therapeutic approaches.

Epstein-Barr virus—the cause of 'kissing disease' mononucleosis—may be the leading cause of MS

A Harvard study with data from more than 10 million US military personnel found that people that contracted Epstein-Barr virus had a roughly 32-fold increased risk of developing multiple sclerosis. The work, published in 2022, found that Infection of the virus preceded MS onset by a median of five years, raising questions about better Epstein-Barr virus management and potential disease prevention.

Snake venoms are repurposed proteins responsible for other bodily functions

Just as saliva aids digestion in humans, proteins responsible for bioactivities such as digestion and blood clotting were eventually secreted in the glands and fangs of snakes across evolutionary history. Organisms that could not withstand the effects of these molecules (e.g., excessive bloodstream clotting) became ideal prey for snakes.

Cold-blooded reptiles seek heat, and that behavior may help combat fungal infections

This Radiolab podcast episode takes on the idea that though our human bodies are too warm for the majority of fungal species to effectively replicate inside our bodies, that's not the case for reptiles. Yet when those species warm their bodies by basking in the sun on rocks, they can soak up heat and may also help keep fungal infections in check.

A technical look at the measles virus and its life cycle

The measles virus is made up of a single strand of RNA, packaged inside an envelope that varies in shape and size. A negative-sense paramyxovirus—the same family as mumps—the virus is encased in proteins that help it attach to immune cells inside the body.

Mammals thrived under the feet of dinosaurs

An explosion of fossil finds reveals that ancient mammals evolved a wide variety of adaptations allowing them to exploit the skies, rivers and underground lairs.

Larger animals like giraffes, elephants, and blue whales have developed a unique defense against cancer, a phenomenon known as Peto's Paradox

Evolution doesn't want you to see these animals

Invisibility is an oft-coveted superpower that many creatures throughout the animal kingdom have evolved to mimic through transparent camouflage. This article explores the science of this seemingly magical ability. The two critical ingredients in...

Crows are believed to have intelligence on par with a seven-year-old child and demonstrate complex behaviors, from problem-solving with tools to recognizing human faces.

After 25 people used virtual reality headsets to practice flying with virtual wings—flapping their arms—their visual cortex responded to the wings almost as if they were real arms, treating them as body parts.

Tattoos remain visible on your skin thanks to immune cells called macrophages

Volcanic activity may have triggered the Black Death by spewing gases that led to crop failures in Europe, thus forcing the import of grain ships with plague-infested fleas.

Before humans, the Soviet Union and the United States sent animals—including apes, dogs, and cats—to space during the Space Race.

The American cockroach is actually from Africa, an apparent hitchhiker aboard ships carrying enslaved people, with evidence suggesting the bug may have arrived in the New World as early as the 1600s.

Animal phobias are likely the most common type of phobias, followed by an extreme fear of heights.

The first line of 'immortal' human cells, which can divide indefinitely and are used in scientific research, was nonconsensually taken from a Black woman.

Hurricanes, which rely on air consistently spinning in the same direction, cannot cross the equator because air curves in opposite directions north and south of it.

NBA superstar Victor Wembanyama spent the 2025 summer training with monks in central China to enhance his body and mind.

Studies suggest when you sleep is as important as how much you get, and syncing with your circadian rhythms may lead to less fatigue and improved long-term health outcomes

Radioactive elements can introduce software errors because the ionizing radiation they produce can detach electrons from atoms, and computer code relies on the distribution of electrons.

For centuries, Niagara Falls has been a magnet for daredevils seeking to conquer one of nature's most powerful wonders, with its 200-foot drop and water rushing at 32 feet per second with 280 tons of force.

The use of fungi to detoxify land and water—a process known as mycoremediation—has been used to clean up natural resources affected by the 2025 California wildfires.

In 1939, baseball star Lou Gehrig delivered his inspirational 'Luckiest Man' speech after retiring due to the health condition that now bears his name.

Budweiser stores yeast derived from the original 1800s strain in a secret bunker, which only the Head of Yeast Management can access—not even the CEO

Hotels in Cannes, the glamorous city on the French Riviera, hire hawks to ward off seagulls during the city's famous film festival.