Detecting 1918 virus secret weapon

Scientists have successfully reproduced the killing process of the H1N1 virus and the 1918 Spanish flu virus. The flu has claimed more than 50 million lives. With this finding, scientists believe they have added a weapon to fight the H5N1 virus if it spreads from person to person.

Picture 1 of Detecting 1918 virus secret weapon (Photo: Nationalgeographic) In the monkey experiment, Canadian scientists found that the lungs of this animal were quickly destroyed by the H1N1 virus after a few days. Experiments on the mouse also showed similar results.

Scientists have discovered that the H1N1 virus has blocked the protein produced by the RIG - 1 gene (a protein that heals wounds in infected tissues). Experiments show that the concentration of this protein in monkeys infected with H1N1 virus is lower than normal. This makes the monkey's immune system confused and out of control.

Professor Yoshihiro Kawaoka, the head of the program, said he obtained similar results between monkeys infected with H1N1 and monkeys infected with the H5N1 virus.

This is the first time scientists understand the mechanism of the H1N1 virus. Although up to 50 million people died from the virus, scientists did not have the virus. Recently thanks to genetic engineering, scientists have created the H1N1 virus.

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