By Anupum Pant
The human body is made up of around 10 trillion cells. That’s a number too huge to even imagine in the head. But the number of bacteria in a typical human body is about ten times that number. Yes, you are more bacteria than you are you. The good news is that most of them are good or benign ones. The whole community of other living organisms have a major impact on everything on your life. However, not everything is known about all the things in your body yet.
Similarly, the full mechanism of all the ways in which viruses affect us is still being studies. And an interesting study comes along.
Scientists from Johns Hopkins University and the University of Nebraska have discovered a kind of virus, which they call the “stupidity virus”, is something that they believe affects human intelligence. They don’t seem to make you unhealthy in any way. There’s a lot to be sceptical about it for now. But, considering the sheer amount of information we don’t have, let’s keep an open mind about it.
They found these viruses in throat cultures of a few healthy subjects. 44% of the healthy subjects who tested positive for this virus recorded an average of 7-9 IQ points less. I know, IQ tests can’t be trusted, but that’s fine.
At least, now you have someone to blame when you score low on your tests.