INTERNACIONAL
Descubren en Kenia un nuevo coronavirus en murciélagos capaz de infectar células humanas
Se han descrito más de 50 especies de coronavirus en todo el mundo, según el Comité Internacional de Taxonomía de Virus. Uno de ellos, el SARS-CoV (Síndrome Respiratorio Agudo Severo) causó una epidemia en 2002-2003.
Otro, el MERS-CoV fue responsable de brotes en Medio Oriente desde 2012. Pero más conocido es el llamado SARS-CoV-2, que causa la enfermedad COVID-19 y provocó la pandemia que fue declarada emergencia de importancia internacional de salud pública en 2020.
Ahora científicos de la Universidad de Cambridge y otras instituciones del Reino Unido con colegas de Kenia identificaron un nuevo coronavirus en murciélagos que es capaz de entrar en células humanas al usar un receptor nunca antes descrito.
El virus fue identificado como CcCoV-KY43, y los detalles del hallazgo fueron publicados en la revista Nature.
Los científicos advirtieron sobre el potencial de los virus animales para cruzar la barrera entre las especies y pusieron la atención en que se lleve a cabo vigilancia de coronavirus en reservorios silvestres.
En el estudio, participaron investigadores del Instituto Pirbright, el Departamento de Patología de la Universidad de Cambridge, el Programa de Investigación KEMRI–Wellcome Trust, la Escuela de Medicina Hull York y del Imperial College London del Reino Unido.
También colaboraron la organización Conservación Loisaba y el Departamento de Zoología del Museo Nacional de Kenia.
Tras la pandemia de COVID-19, la preocupación por los saltos de patógenos desde los animales a humanos creció y se buscó anticipar nuevas amenazas.
Los investigadores que publicaron en Nature afirmaron que “identificar virus con potencial zoonótico a partir de su capacidad de entrar en células humanas es un componente crítico de la predicción, prevención y preparación ante pandemias”.
Las zoonosis pueden surgir de variantes desconocidas, por eso resulta clave estudiar cómo los virus logran entrar en las células, al ampliar la vigilancia más allá de los virus ya conocidos.
Antes de que se hiciera el nuevo trabajo, solo dos receptores celulares se reconocían como rutas de acceso para alfacoronavirus en humanos.
El objetivo fue descubrir si existían otras vías de entrada y así ampliar el mapa de riesgos potenciales.
El estudio se propuso determinar si otros alfacoronavirus de murciélagos pueden usar receptores alternativos en células humanas.
Para eso, los investigadores diseñaron un sistema que permitió analizar diversas combinaciones entre proteínas virales y receptores celulares.
El equipo seleccionó proteínas de la Espiga de 27 coronavirus de murciélagos a partir de bases de datos genéticas. Esas proteínas se sintetizaron y se probaron contra una biblioteca de receptores humanos.
Los ensayos permitieron encontrar que la proteína de la Espiga de CcCoV-KY43 logró entrar en células humanas al usar solo CEACAM6.
El análisis estructural mostró que esa proteína se une al dominio N-terminal tipo inmunoglobulina de CEACAM6.
Al expresar CEACAM6 en grandes cantidades, las células humanas se volvieron vulnerables al ingreso del virus.
Se analizaron sueros de personas que viven en regiones cercanas a los murciélagos portadores en Kenia y no se halló evidencia de infecciones recientes por este virus en humanos.
La investigación detectó que otros coronavirus emparentados con CcCoV-KY43, hallados también en Kenia, usaron CEACAM6 para ingresar en células humanas y que algunos coronavirus de murciélagos de Rusia y China podrían emplear variantes similares en otros mamíferos.
Los investigadores de cada institución aportaron piezas fundamentales: el Instituto Pirbright demostró la infección celular, la Universidad de York identificó el receptor, la Universidad de Cambridge resolvió la estructura, el Museo Nacional de Kenia detectó el virus en murciélagos y el KEMRI–Wellcome Trust analizó los sueros locales.
Recomendaron reforzar la vigilancia de coronavirus en murciélagos y monitorear el uso de CEACAM6 como posible vía de entrada viral.
Entre las limitaciones, los investigadores señalaron que su trabajo usó proteínas sintéticas y modelos de laboratorio, no el virus completo, por lo que aún falta conocer cómo se comportaría el virus en condiciones reales.
Los investigadores sostuvieron que “la meta final de la preparación ante pandemias es poder predecir y evaluar el riesgo zoonótico de los virus solo a partir de su secuencia genética”.
En diálogo con Infobae, la científica argentina Alejandra Tortorici, investigadora en coronavirus en el Departamento de Bioquímica de la Universidad de Washington, Estados Unidos, afirmó: “Que los virus salten de una especie a otra es una posibilidad latente. Se debería considerar que la invasión de los seres humanos a diferentes ecosistemas y el cambio climático inducido por el hombre son algunos de los factores que pueden potenciar ese salto. Por eso, la vigilancia es importante”.
La investigadora, quien no participó en el nuevo estudio publicado en Nature, agregó: “También vale la pena recordar que el hecho de que un virus sea capaz de entrar a una célula humana porque puede reconocer un receptor humano no significa que vaya a replicarse en ella”.
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Mamdani in the hot seat after first veto derails bipartisan effort to combat antisemitism: ‘Disappointed’
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New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani is sparking backlash after using his first veto to derail a bipartisan bill aimed at combating antisemitism by expanding protest security safeguards for places of education.
«This could impact workers protesting ICE or college students demanding their school divest from fossil fuels or demonstrating in support of Palestinian rights,» Mamdani said in a statement Friday.
«It is a piece of legislation that has alarmed much of the labor movement, reproductive rights groups and immigration advocates, among others, across this city.»
New York’s former Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who ran as an independent against Mamdani in the mayoral race last year, slammed Mamdani’s decision on X, saying he «chose the whims of his radical, extreme-left DSA base over the safety of students and Jewish New Yorkers at a time of rising antisemitism.»
MAMDANI IS AN EXISTENTIAL THREAT TO JEWISH NEW YORKERS
Zohran Mamdani announces new members of his team at the Brooklyn Public Library Greenpoint Branch in Brooklyn Dec. 17, 2025. (Shawn Inglima/ New York Daily News/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)
«Instead of governing for all NYers, Mamdani has repealed the very definition of antisemitism from the city’s books, changed how antisemitic crimes are counted and now vetoed these commonsense security measures when they are needed most,» Cuomo continued.
«I proudly stand shoulder to shoulder with my Jewish brothers and sisters — just as the Cuomos always have, and always will.»
The bill, Int. 175-B, requires New York law enforcement to develop a plan to contain the risk of physical obstruction, physical injury, intimidation and interference at educational facilities while still allowing for freedom of assembly and First-Amendment events. The plan would then apply to «any building, structure, or place where educational programming takes place.»
Julie Menin, the speaker of the New York City Council, had framed the bill as key to warding off threats of antisemitism.
«The legislation is part of the Council-led Five-Point Action Plan to Combat Antisemitism,» Menin said in March.
ELITE UNIVERSITY ATTENDED BY TRUMP’S SON CRACKS DOWN ON LEFT-WING STUDENT AGITATORS
Julie Menin, speaker of the New York City Council, speaks during an announcement in the Brooklyn borough of New York City Jan. 12, 2026. (John Lamparski/Bloomberg)
«According to the NYPD, antisemitic incidents accounted for 57% of reported hate crimes in 2025, although only approximately 10% of New York City residents are Jewish. Jewish New Yorkers were the targets of hate crimes more than all other groups combined.»
The bill passed the New York City Council by a 30-19 vote late last month.
Commentators online criticized the veto, citing a need for enhanced protections.
«We are deeply disappointed by Mayor Mamdani’s veto of legislation designed to help protect students from intimidation and disruption outside schools,» the Simon Wiesenthal Center, a pro-Jewish group, said in a post to X.
«The right to protest and the right to an education can and must coexist. We urge the City Council to override this veto and reaffirm a basic principle: protecting students is not politics; it is a civic responsibility.»
«Mayor Zohran Mamdani (D- HAMAS) vetoed a bill for buffer zones around schools because it ‘could impact workers protesting ICE, or college students demanding their school divest from fossil fuels, or demonstrating in support of Palestinian rights,’» Ari Hoffman, a political commentator, wrote in his own post.
«All the bill would have done was require clear safety plans around schools with law enforcement.»
Mamdani approved a similar bill that applied to religious sites. He explained that he was concerned by the expansive range of what the second bill meant by «educational facilities.»
«The problem is how widely this bill defines an educational institution and the constitutional concerns it raises regarding New Yorkers’ fundamental right to protest. As the bill is written, everywhere from universities to museums to teaching hospitals could face restrictions,» Mamdani said in a statement.
NYC RABBI WARNS ZOHRAN MAMDANI ‘POSES A DANGER’ TO JEWISH COMMUNITY’S SAFETY
The sun sets on the skyline of midtown Manhattan and the Empire State Building in New York City Nov. 15, 2024. (Gary Hershorn/Getty Images)
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The city council could override a mayoral veto with a two-thirds vote, according to New York City’s charter. Doing so would require votes from 33 of the chamber’s 50 members.
Assuming the bill retains the support of the legislators that originally advanced it out of the council, it would require just three more votes to secure its implementation over Mamdani’s objection.
first amendment elections, new york, new york city, bills, zohran mamdani
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US targets Chinese refinery in sweeping Iran oil crackdown, sanctions ‘shadow fleet’ tankers
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The U.S. Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) on Friday sanctioned a major Chinese oil refinery and dozens of ships tied to Iran’s «shadow fleet,» escalating efforts to choke off Tehran’s main source of revenue.
Officials said in a press release the move targets Hengli Petrochemical, one of Iran’s largest oil buyers, along with a network of shipping companies and tankers responsible for transporting billions of dollars worth of petroleum products to foreign markets.
The Treasury Department identified these «shadow fleet» vessels as the financial lifeline for Iran’s «unstable regime.»
SECOND TANKER SEIZED NEAR VENEZUELA AS US ENFORCES OIL BLOCKADE
The crackdown is part of Economic Fury, a broader campaign to squeeze Iran’s economy by limiting its ability to sell oil abroad, revenue the U.S. says funds the regime’s military and destabilizing activities across the Middle East.
«Economic Fury is imposing a financial stranglehold on the Iranian regime, hampering its aggression in the Middle East and helping to curtail its nuclear ambitions,» Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said.
An oil tanker near the terminal at Kharg Island, Iran, as U.S. officials and analysts consider whether seizing the island could significantly impact Iran’s oil exports. (Ali Mohammadi/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Hengli Petrochemical (Dalian) Refinery Co. is a China-based «teapot» refinery, a term used for independent facilities known for purchasing discounted crude, including from sanctioned countries.
The refinery, one of China’s largest independent facilities, has received Iranian oil cargoes from sanctioned shadow fleet vessels since at least 2023. Hengli has also purchased oil tied to Iran’s armed forces, generating hundreds of millions of dollars for the Iranian military.
Hengli has also received shipments tied to Sepehr Energy Jahan Nama Pars Company, a firm identified by U.S. officials as a front for Iran’s armed forces that helps facilitate oil sales abroad.
The company operates on behalf of Iran’s Armed Forces General Staff, using a network of intermediaries and vessels to move sanctioned crude, with proceeds helping fund the country’s military programs and regional proxy groups.
IRAN’S REMAINING WEAPONS: HOW TEHRAN CAN STILL DISRUPT THE STRAIT OF HORMUZ
The Iranian-flagged Touska cargo ship after U.S. forces launched missiles at its control room after its violation of the U.S. blockade in the Strait of Hormuz April 20, 2026. (U.S. Central Command )
The new sanctions also target the network that makes these oil sales possible, a «shadow fleet» of aging tankers and shell companies that move petroleum across global markets while evading sanctions and obscuring the origin of shipments.
These ships avoid detection by transferring cargo from one tanker to another in the open ocean. Treasury officials said 19 vessels were targeted in the action.
A U.S. military helicopter hovers over the sanctioned stateless crude oil tanker M/T Tifani during an interdiction April 21, 2026. (Department of War)
The move is part of the Trump administration’s renewed «maximum pressure» campaign against Iran, aimed at cutting off the regime’s primary source of revenue through oil exports and sanctions enforcement.
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U.S. officials say oil exports remain the backbone of Iran’s economy, and efforts to restrict those flows are designed to limit the government’s ability to fund its military, support proxy groups and advance its nuclear program.
Treasury officials warned that additional sanctions are likely as the U.S. continues targeting the networks, intermediaries and buyers that enable Iran to move oil on the global market.
iran, sanctions, economy, armed forces, nuclear proliferation, energy
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Transgender lawmaker ‘doesn’t know what a woman is,’ White House says after dig at Trump firings
Newsom’s wife slams Trump firings of Bondi, Noem, sparking panel debate
Jennifer Siebel Newsom, wife of California Governor Gavin Newsom, makes controversial claims about President Trump’s administration, accusing him of a ‘war on all women’ after the firings of Pam Bondi and Krisit Noem. A Fox News panel vigorously debates Newsom’s perspective, with contributors highlighting Trump’s historic appointment of women to high-level positions and questioning the motivation behind her public statement.
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The White House brushed aside remarks made by Rep. Sarah McBride, D-Del., to a reporter alleging that Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard would be the next Cabinet official to leave the administration because President Donald Trump «only fires women.»
«Rep. McBride doesn’t know what a woman is,» White House spokesperson Taylor Rogers said of McBride, a biological male who identifies as a woman.
McBride speculated to MeidasTouch reporter Pablo Manríquez that Tulsi Gabbard will be the next Cabinet member on President Donald Trump’s chopping block. In separate interviews, Manríquez asked McBride and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., who they believed would be next to be fired. Both said it would not be a man.
The remarks come amid a shake-up in the Trump administration, as Trump announced the dismissal of Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and Attorney General Pam Bondi within a span of four weeks. On Monday, Department of Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer resigned amid allegations of misconduct towards staffers.
TRUMP FIRES TWO DEMOCRATIC COMMISSIONERS ON CIVIL RIGHTS ENFORCEMENT AGENCY AS WHITE HOUSE TARGETS DEI
Reps. Alexandria Osacio-Cortez, D-N.Y., and Sarah McBride, D-Del. accused President Donald Trump of only firing women. (Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc/ Ida Marie Odgaard / Ritzau Scanpix)
«All of them deserve to be fired,» McBride quipped. «I’m supporting impeachment of Pete Hegseth, because obviously right now, we are engaged in a reckless war of choice that he was a primary driver of.»
«But we know this president,» McBride said. «He only fires women, so my guess is Tulsi Gabbard.»
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., echoed McBride’s sentiment when asked the same question by Manríquez.
«Is he out of women?» Ocasio-Cortez asked. «Because that seems to be his pattern right now.»
TRUMP CABINET NOMINEES, APPOINTEES TARGETED WITH ‘VIOLENT, UNAMERICAN THREATS’
Then-U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem delivers remarks during a working lunch at the «Shield of the Americas» Summit at Trump National Doral in Miami, Fla., on March 7, 2026. (Rebecca Blackwell / POOL / AFP via Getty Images)
She went on to say that Trump «seems to only have the capability to fire female secretaries.»
In response to a follow-up question about the «clownish behavior» of War Secretary Pete Hegseth and FBI Director Kash Patel, Ocasio-Cortez claimed that what Patel has done is «a thousand times worse» than what other officials have done.
U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi speaks during a news conference at the DEA headquarters in Arlington, Va., on July 15, 2025. (Alex Wong/Getty Images)
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Neither Manríquez nor Ocasio-Cortez gave specific examples of misconduct by either man. Patel has filed a $250 million defamation lawsuit against The Atlantic over reported allegations that he is a heavy drinker and that it affects his work. Meanwhile, Hegseth faced sexual assault and drinking allegations during his confirmation hearings, which he denied, and his tenure at the War Department was rocked by two separate Signal chat leaks in which information about military airstrikes were inadvertently shared with a journalist.
While the White House has stood by Hegseth, Democratic lawmakers have demanded his resignation and criticized his handling of the war with Iran.
«If you’re a man in the Trump administration, it seems that they reward misconduct,» Ocasio-Cortez said.
white house, pete hegseth, pam bondi, fbi, kristi noem, tulsi gabbard
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