The Sunday Times reports that scientists have found a virus that appears to infect human brains, reducing people’s thinking power including their spatial awareness and attention span (paywalled). The virus, ATCV-1, seems to alter genes governing brain function. “Unexpectedly, we identified DNA sequences of ATCV-1, an algal virus not previously known to infect humans, in oropharyngeal [throat] samples from healthy adults,” said the researchers. “ATCV-1 was associated with a modest but measurable decrease in cognitive functioning.” By using modern bioinformatics analysis, the genes effected were found to be involved in pathways related to dopamine receptor signaling, cyclin-dependent kinase 5 (CDK5) signaling, antigen presentation, immune cell adhesion, and eukaryotic initiation factor 2. Note that dopamine is a central component of many psychiatric conditions."
(Score: 2) by mendax on Tuesday November 11 2014, @10:03AM
Who needs a virus when we've got alcohol, pot, and the American educational system and it's steady race to the bottom?
It's really quite a simple choice: Life, Death, or Los Angeles.
(Score: 2) by WizardFusion on Tuesday November 11 2014, @10:11AM
For some it's a steady race, for America, it's a sprint.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday November 11 2014, @12:43PM
For americans, isn't it more of a high speed waddle?
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday November 11 2014, @03:44PM
People who don't drink, smoke, or rely on schooling for education.
(Score: 3, Insightful) by Freeman on Tuesday November 11 2014, @04:30PM
Each one of those requires a person to take do something to reduce their intelligence. A virus that reduces your intelligence requires you to take action to avoid being infected. It's a lot easier to accidentally get a virus than to accidentally smoke pot.
Joshua 1:9 "Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee"
(Score: 2) by Geotti on Wednesday November 12 2014, @01:56AM
Pot doesn't make stupid, pot makes you care about details (sometimes^W usually more than necessary).