Usher/Nextstrain Error: "Couldn't load JSONs for...."

[ryhisner]

For several days now, I've been getting this error message when I try to create an Usher tree with a sequence:

There seems to have been an error accessing that dataset. Details: Couldn't load JSONs for fetch/genome.ucsc.edu/trash/hgPhyloPlace/subtreeAuspice1_genome_16b2ae_dd42f0.json . Please [contact us](https://nextstrain.org/contact) if you think this is a bug.

The sequences upload fine, and everything appears okay until you click on the link to open the tree. It thinks for a long time and then the error pops up.

I don't recall seeing this error before.

[AngieHinrichs]

Thanks for reporting this @ryhisner and sorry it's not working. Recently the UCSC Genome Browser got hit by a DDoS attack from AWS and the only way around it that we could find on short notice was to shut down all requests from AWS hosts. However, that might include nextstrain.org. I will ping them to confirm, and if they are using AWS like I think, then we can see if there's any way we could whitelist nextstrain.org specifically.

[ryhisner]

Thanks so much, Angie! You're the best.

[russcd]

Thanks both!

Ryan, I suspect you already know this, but I am sharing in case it's helpful to you or someone else reading this. If there's an error responding to AWS requests, you should be able to download the json then drag that onto auspice.us for viz.

I am sure Angie will get it sorted soon at any rate.

[AngieHinrichs]

Also @ryhisner, dev.usher.bio is not blocking AWS/nextstrain, and if you're looking into any potential recombinants, it has the cool new RIPPLES search and RIVET-style graphical display. 🙂

[AngieHinrichs]

We have removed the block for the time being, but might have to reinstate it if the main site gets hit too hard by bots.

[ryhisner]

Also @ryhisner, dev.usher.bio is not blocking AWS/nextstrain, and if you're looking into any potential recombinants, it has the cool new RIPPLES search and RIVET-style graphical display. 🙂

Thanks, @AngieHinrichs! That recombinant tool is great. Used it on the BA.1/NB.1.8.1 recombinant that showed up on Spain recently, and the image it provides clarifies things in a way you just can't do with words.