A USB stick to test HIV (human deficiency virus) is introduced to quickly and accurately analyze how much virus is in a patient’s bloodstream. It can pinpoint HIV in a drop of blood that will then send electrical signals that can be interpreted by a computer. The device is the result of combined efforts of researchers in Imperial College London and a U.S. firm DNA Electronics.
Given that the technology is in its early stage, it is already crucial to efficient and regular monitoring of patients’ virus level. According to the journal of Scientific reports, the initial run on the device could provide results for only 20.8 minutes at average with staggering 95% accuracy over 991 samples. This technology could change the lives of some 36 million who are infected with HIV.
Vocabulary:
deficiency – a falling short of an essential or desirable amount or number
bloodstream – veins and arteries
crucial – of the greatest possible importance
initial – occurring at the beginning of something
staggering – very large, shocking or surprising
True or False:
- A SATA stick to test HIV was introduced.
- It can pinpoint HIV in a drop of blood that will then send electrical signals that can be interpreted by a computer.
- The device is the result of combined efforts of researchers in Imperial College London and a U.S. firm DNA Electronics.
- It is not crucial to efficient and regular monitoring of patients’ virus level.
- This technology could change the lives of some 36 million who are infected with HIV.
Defend your argument:
- This method is the best and safest way to find out if a patient is infected with the HIV or not.
- HIV is so dangerous, everyone should be extra careful on who they should be hanging around with.
- This method should be used not only to infected adults but to teenagers as well.
Express your opinion:
- What are the most important things to remember while dating someone?
- What are your comments to the scientists that conducted the experiments?
- Share your thoughts about this quote: “Love is like a virus. It can happen to anybody at any time.” – Maya Angelou