Bird flu outbreaks in humans may remain rare thanks to this gene - National | Globalnews.ca

  • 📰 GlobalNational
  • ⏱ Reading Time:
  • 30 sec. here
  • 2 min. at publisher
  • 📊 Quality Score:
  • News: 15%
  • Publisher: 51%

Canada Headlines News

Canada Latest News,Canada Headlines

The antiviral part of the gene, called BTN3A3, is around 40 million years old, and scientists just discovered it helps protect against bird flu.

1:49To unravel the mystery behind the transmission of viruses from animals to humans, the team of scientists from the MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research led a four-year study. They looked at more than 800 human genes and compared them during infection with seasonal viruses or the avian flu.

“This is important because the flu is a respiratory virus. So it makes sense that BTN3A3 is present where the virus would normally infect,” she added. “One of the big things about avian influenza viruses is that it usually can’t bind very strongly to the receptors that we have in our respiratory system,” he said. “Our saving grace is the fact that we don’t provide and nurturing environment for avian influenza viruses.”They can evade genes like BTN3A3, and already have, Sharif said, adding that this is why studies like the one from the University of Glasgow are “critical.

 

Thank you for your comment. Your comment will be published after being reviewed.
Please try again later.
We have summarized this news so that you can read it quickly. If you are interested in the news, you can read the full text here. Read more:

 /  🏆 81. in CA

Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines

Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.

RoseAnne Archibald removed as Assembly of First Nations national chief in vote - National | Globalnews.caAFN chiefs voted to remove Archibald, the first woman elected as national chief, in a virtual meeting held over Zoom to discuss alleged harassment complaints against her.
Source: GlobalNational - 🏆 81. / 51 Read more »

Actor Julian Sands confirmed dead after remains found on Calif. mountain - National | Globalnews.caJulian Sands disappeared in January while on a hiking trip in the Southern California mountains.
Source: GlobalNational - 🏆 81. / 51 Read more »

As Wagner boss walks free after revolt, Russia continues crackdown on critics - National | Globalnews.caThe Kremlin has promised not to prosecute Yevgeny Prigozhin after reaching an agreement with him that he would halt the uprising and retreat to neighboring Belarus.
Source: GlobalNational - 🏆 81. / 51 Read more »

Wagner Group in Belarus spells trouble, Eastern Europe’s NATO allies warn - National | Globalnews.caNATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg is trying to allay fears by some Eastern European members over exiled members of Russia's Wagner mercenary group residing in Belarus.
Source: GlobalNational - 🏆 81. / 51 Read more »

U.S., Russia back UN statement urging end to growing West Bank violence - National | Globalnews.caThe U.N. Security Council statement urged Israel and the Palestinians to avoid actions that can further inflame tensions in the volatile West Bank.
Source: GlobalNational - 🏆 81. / 51 Read more »

Key Brazilian electoral judge votes to bar Bolsonaro from office until 2030 - National | Globalnews.caThe vote by Benedito Goncalves, the lead justice in the case against Bolsonaro, does not amount to a full conviction, but may set the tone for subsequent judge's votes.
Source: GlobalNational - 🏆 81. / 51 Read more »