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From talking robots and video phones, technology has become so advanced that the previously impossible seems to occur on a daily basis. And yet—we still have no cure for the common cold.

Why can’t we stop the common cold? According to Peter Barlow, a scientist at Edinburgh Napier University, the main challenge lies in the many different types of cold viruses that are produced by the rhinoviruses (鼻病毒). There are at least 160 types. They change so easily that they quickly become resistant to drugs. In other words, a single cure isn’t likely to work on every type of cold.

However, researchers from Stanford University have found a possible answer. They discovered a protein that the viruses need. Without it, they can't spread inside your body.

To identify the gene which produces the specific protein needed by the viruses, researchers used a gene-editing technique to test all genes one by one for thousands of cells. These modified (改变的) cells were then exposed to a range of rhinoviruses which cause the common cold.

All the viruses were unable to copy inside cells without a gene that produces a specific protein, called methyltransferase (甲基转移酶) SETD3.

Then, they tested genetically modified mice, which were completely unable to produce the protein. The mice were able to live healthy, normal lives without the protein.

“Lacking that gene protected the mice completely from the common cold,”  associate professor Jan Carette, from Stanford, told the BBC.

“These mice would always die, but they survived and we saw a very strong protection.”

Carette said the plan is to find a drug which can keep back the protein for a limited time, rather than produce genetically modified humans.

“We have identified a fantastic target that all rhinoviruses require and depend on. Take that away and the virus really has no chance,” said Carette.

1.Why does the author mention talking robots and video phones in the first paragraph?

A.To stress the importance of technology.

B.To encourage readers to share their ideas.

C.To introduce the topic of the text.

D.To recognize the progress of science.

2.What can we learn about the protein needed by the viruses?

A.It helps the viruses copy inside our bodies.

B.It stops the viruses from changing easily.

C.It protects the viruses against drugs.

D.It forces the viruses to spread fast.

3.What does Jan Carette intend to do?

A.To identify a fantastic target.

B.To slow copying speed of some genes.

C.To produce genetically modified humans.

D.To find a drug to temporarily block the protein.

4.What is the best title for the text?

A.A New Experiment on Viruses.

B.New Defense Found for Viruses.

C.A Chemical Curing Modified Viruses.

D.Gene-editing Technology to Control Viruses.

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