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Scientists Discover Virus that Makes People Stupid

posted by martyb on Tuesday November 11 2014, @06:55AM   
from the stupid-virus dept.

Hugh Pickens writes:

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."

• Re:I Think I'm A Carrier Re:I Think I'm A Carrier (Score: 1, Interesting) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday November 11 2014, @01:00PM

  by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday November 11 2014, @01:00PM (#114800)

  I have a 142 iq and was formally tested. I am antisocial so I am no superstar, but I love my life and family. I am also not on medicine/treatment for depression. Your partial sentences are a great example of why I avoid people who think they are smart.

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• Re:I Think I'm A Carrier (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday November 11 2014, @07:22PM

  by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday November 11 2014, @07:22PM (#114947)

  Which sentence is incomplete?

  Parent