Although JOE believes that this disease has been rampant for years…
According to scientists in the USA, a virus has been discovered that infects the brains of humans and may cause those infected to be less intelligent, impairing brain activity, learning and memory.
Scientists at the John Hopkins Medical School and the University of Nebraska discovered the algae virus while conducting research on a completely unrelated study into throat microbes when they noticed similarities in the throat DNA with a chlorovirus named ACTV-1.
This virus has never been discovered in humans before with experts of the opinion that it was not contagious to humans… until now *JOE plays tense music while making fearful faces*.
Scientists believe the virus affects the cognitive functions in the brain, shortening our attention spans and reducing our spatial awareness. Maybe this is the reason for so many idiots on the road?
In a study of 90 people, a staggering 43.5% were found to have the virus with those infected performing about 10% worse on tests analysing visual processing speeds. They performed further tests on mice with the infected rodents taking 10% longer to find their way out of mazes and spending 20% less time exploring new objects.
Very little is known about the virus but it is not thought to have any effects on the physical health of a person so there is probably no need to start panicking just yet…
Hat tip: The Independent
LISTEN: You Must Be Jokin’ with Aideen McQueen – Faith healers, Coolock craic and Gigging as Gaeilge
