Cure for the Common Cold?

A protein that is inside of humans is used by many viruses to replicate. In research on mice and human cells where this protein is lacking, viruses could not replicate. Researchers at Stanford University used CRISPER to deleted chunks of DNA, each missing a gene, so they can no longer make a specific protein. These chunks of genes were infected with viruses and studied to determine which proteins were interacting with viral proteins. The one protein that repeatedly interacted was SETD3, which was previously known as an actin protein helping muscles contract. Engineered Mice and human lung cells made to lack the SETD3 gene did not get sick when infected with viruses. To further surprise, this gene could also affect getting sick from diseases other than the common cold. With this new knowledge drugs can be synthesised to block the human protein and the viral from interacting, but complicated targeted treatments like this are not going to be available for prescriptions any time soon. Even so, it is always nice to know the expansion of science is working to make life better for those who are sick. I hope some form of treatment becomes available, and they are able to find cures for as many viruses that respond to the SETD3 protein as possible.

original link: https://www.sciencenews.org/article/common-cold-virus-disable-protein
related link: https://www.contagionlive.com/news/disabling-setd3-gene-could-halt-viral-infections

Vitamin C Myth?

                                                                                     In the article, What does Vitamin C Really Do?,

it is explained how Linus Pauling, the father of molecular biology, created a myth about vitamin C. The myth is that vitamin C prevents colds, cancers, and cures either aliment. In this article, it is stated, “Some studies have found evidence that regular usage might shorten the duration of your cold, but not when taken after the onset of the cold. Others have found associations with daily dosage and lower risk of cardiovascular diseases, though still have shown no relationship whatsoever.” Vitamin C is water-soluble so it will exit the body by peeing. According to this article, taking vitamin C supplements will have no effect on our bodies health because it is water-soluble. Personally, I do not fully agree with this statement. I think that even though vitamin C is water-soluble, taking it, by eating foods such as bananas, apples, and onions, will help an individual create collagen and heal wounds by repairing tissues. This is an example how vitamin C effects our bodies. But, I do agree with the myth that vitamin C does not prevent colds and cancers. If vitamin C prevented colds, then many people would not catch colds and if it prevented cancer, many people would not get the terrible news from the doctor that they have cancer. I believe that it can shorten the time of a cold. Personally, I take multi-vitamins every morning because I do not get all the vitamins I need, from the food that I eat. From these multi-vitamins, I do intake vitamin C daily. Even though I am taking these, I know vitamin C does not prevent colds or cancer.   

http://www.health.com/cold-flu-sinus/5-myths-and-facts-about-vitamin-c

http://www.popsci.com/vitamin-c#page-3