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Virus that learns


rob

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http://phenomena.nationalgeographic.com/2013/02/27/the-virus-that-learns/

 

In Nature today, scientists at Tufts University describe their discovery of a virus with its own immune system.

Interesting- a virus isn't really an organism, there is a discussion what it really is (since it doesn't have a cell structure), but it has it's "system". Great way to dumb down the science if you ask me.

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http://phenomena.nationalgeographic.com/2013/02/27/the-virus-that-learns/

 

In Nature today, scientists at Tufts University describe their discovery of a virus with its own immune system.

Interesting- a virus isn't really an organism, there is a discussion what it really is (since it doesn't have a cell structure), but it has it's "system". Great way to dumb down the science if you ask me.

 

42 instances of the word "system" in the original research, you should email the authors and tell them they don't know what they're talking about.

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A virus is an organism. It needs a specific environment to live in, and comes prepared with the tools to live in that. Not any different then sticking one of you in the desert with no food or water; you are going to die, like a virus without a cell. But viruses live in a cell you say! If you don't think the earth is an organism that you live in you need to have a chat with Uncle Gore. In many cases they adapts better then we do; they don't need a paleo diet!

 

This headline is actually misleading. All viruses learn; it's called evolution. Many viruses in animals have similar mechanisms described in the article for evading the immune system, which usually involved hijacked host genes (Macrophage Inhibitory Proteins, Interleukins, G Protein Coupled Receptors). They contain genes that overtake the cell cycle (Cyclins) and inhibit apoptosis (cell suicide, BCL2).

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