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Knowledge of viral biodiversity within insects, particularly within ants, is extremely limited with only a few environmental viruses from invasive ant species identified to date. This study documents and explores the viral communities in ants. We comprehensively profile the metagenomes of a phylogenetically broad group of 35 ant species with varied ecological traits and report the discovery of 3710 novel and unique ant‐associated viral genomes. These previously unknown viruses discovered within this study constitute over 95% of all currently described ant viruses, significantly increasing our knowledge of the ant virosphere. The identified RNA and DNA viruses fill gaps in insect‐associated viral phylogenies and uncover evolutionary histories characterized by both frequent host switching and co‐divergence. Many ants also host diverse bacterial communities, and we discovered that approximately one‐third of these new ant‐associated viruses are bacteriophages. Two ecological categories, bacterial abundance in the host and habitat degradation are both correlated with ant viral diversity and help to structure viral communities within ants. These data demonstrate that the ant virosphere is remarkably diverse phylogenetically and genomically and provide a substantial foundation for studies in virus ecology and evolution within eukaryotes. We highlight the importance of studying insect‐associated viruses in natural ecosystems in order to more thoroughly and effectively understand host‐microbe evolutionary dynamics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer‐related deaths in Australia with poor long‐term survival outcomes. Stage III non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is a highly heterogenous group with diverse tumor characteristics and multiple, possible treatment options. We present retrospective data on patient characteristics, treatment patterns, and long‐term outcomes in stage III NSCLC patients treated at a single cancer center in New South Wales, Australia. Methods: Stage III NSCLC patients were identified from the 'Nepean Cancer Research Biobank'. Patient demographics, cancer‐related information, and long‐term follow‐up data were collected and analyzed. Results: A total of 88 patients were eligible for analysis with 61% of them diagnosed as stage IIIA, 35% IIIB, and 4% IIIC. Induction chemotherapy was administered in 20% of the patients. Overall, 48% of the study population underwent surgery, and 38% underwent concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT). Both median progression‐free survival and overall survival (OS) were superior in stage IIIA patients in comparison to stage IIIB (and IIIC) patients (22 vs. 11 months, p =.018; and 58 vs. 19 months, p =.048, respectively). Patients who were younger (<65 years old), good Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status (ECOG PS <2), and females had better prognosis on univariate analysis. There was a nonstatistically significant trend toward better median OS with CCRT in comparison to surgery (58 vs. 37 months, p =.87). Conclusions: Long‐term outcomes remain poor, and hence better treatment strategies are urgently needed in stage III NSCLC. Equally, more robust, prospective studies would help delineate the optimal treatment modality in these patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]