Science & Technology

US scientists discover 'stupidity virus'

By T.K. Randall
November 11, 2014 ·  52 comments

The virus appears to reduce cognitive abilities. Image Credit: CC BY 2.0 US Army RDECOM Researchers from Johns Hopkins School of Medicine and the University of Nebraska had been studying throat microbes when they found traces of algal virus ATCV-1 in swabs drawn from the throats of otherwise healthy volunteers.

Their studies revealed that the virus, which usually only infects a particular species of green algae, was linked to a lower attention span, decreased spatial awareness and reduced visual processing capabilities in those who were infected by it.The scientists couldn't explain exactly how the virus had managed to infect so many of the volunteers but concluded that there was no evidence that it was particularly contagious.

"My best guess is that these viruses may infect another microorganism besides the algae that we have been studying," said Professor James L. Van Etten.

"This other microorganism may be the way that the virus gets into the throat."

Source: News Week | Comments (52)

Tags: Virus, ACTV-1