New research suggests the Zika virus may damage some cells in adult brains. Until now, scientists mainly worried about Zika’s effects on the brains of babies whose mothers were infected with the virus during pregnancy. The Rockefeller University and La Jolla Institute for Allergy and Immunology carried out the new research. The findings were published last week in the Cell Stem Cell journal. The research suggests the Zika virus could infect some kinds of adult cells. These cells are considered important to learning and memory. “This is the first study looking at the effect of Zika infection on the adult brain,” says Joseph Gleeson. He is a professor at Rockefeller University and head of the Laboratory of Pediatric Brain Disease. Gleeson says, “Based on our findings, getting infected with Zika as an adult may not be as innocuous as people think.” By innocuous, Gleeson means not seeming to have a harmful effect. In their study, the researchers examined cells in mice. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or CDC, the Zika virus is spread mostly by a bite from an infected mosquito. Zika can be passed from a pregnant woman to her fetus, the CDC said. It said infection during pregnancy can cause certain birth defects. Gleeson, the Rockefeller University professor, says most adults seem able to overcome the harmful effects of Zika. But, he said people with compromised immune systems could face problems. An immune system protects a person from disease and infection. The major worry, Gleeson says, is that Zika could affect long-term memory in some adults. However, he adds that “a lot more research” is needed. Sujan Shresta is a professor at the La Jolla Institute of Allergy and Immunology. She notes that most adults infected with Zika do not show any health problems. Shresta said the effects on adult brain cells may not be as clear as the effects on babies infected with the Zika virus. Shresta said, thanks to the new research, health officials now know “what to look for.” I’m Bruce Alpert. Kevin Enochs reported this story for VOANews.com. Bruce Alpert adapted the story for Learning English. Mario Ritter was the editor. We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section and share your views on our Facebook Page. ___________________________________________________________ Words in This Story mice –n. a very small animal that has a pointed nose and a long, thin tail certain – adj. used to refer to a quality that is noticed but that is difficult to explain or describe birth defects – n. a disability or medical problem that a baby is born with compromised – adj. damaged or weakened
from Voice of America http://ift.tt/2bof6es
via IFTTT
الاشتراك في:
تعليقات الرسالة (Atom)
المشاركات الشائعة
-
As President of the United States, Donald Trump shakes a lot of hands. But look out. If you shake Trump’s hand, you might get pulled off y...
-
Even in the world of medicine, what is old is new again. Thousands of years ago, Egyptians used it to sterilize drinking water. Ancient Roma...
-
00:00:02 OPRAH WINFREY: "Hattie Mae, this child is gifted," and I heard that enough that I started to believe it. 00:00:08 ...
-
Zimbabwe wants small business to be able to get credit to start or grow a business. If the country’s Parliament approves a bill proposed l...
-
Olayemi Samson is a Nigerian entrepreneur. He is turning plastic waste into useful things like clothing, school bags, car covers and shoes...
-
from Voice of America https://ift.tt/2JX5szY via IFTTT
-
Learn from your hosts, Anne and Jonathan the meaning of momentous. from Voice of America http://ift.tt/2a2yXS4 via IFTTT
-
An unpublished United Nations report says that North Korea sent materials that could be used in chemical weapons to Syria and missile techno...
-
South Korea’s government proposed on Monday to hold military talks with North Korea to reduce tensions between the two countries. The South ...
-
Tensions between North and South Korea have increased sharply since the North’s announcement that it tested a nuclear weapon for the fourt...
ليست هناك تعليقات:
إرسال تعليق