Pre-reading questions:
- What is bird flu?
- What specific regions or countries have experienced significant bird flu outbreaks in the past?
Vocabulary:
- significant /sig-NIF-i-kuhnt/
- strain /streyn/
- potential /puh-TEN-shuhl /
- code /kohd/
- measure /MEZH-er/
[adjective] – important or noticeable
The discovery of a rare species of plant in the forest is a significant event for botanists and conservationists.
[noun] – a force or influence that stretches, pulls, or puts pressure on something, sometimes causing damage
The heavy workload put a strain on her physical and mental health.
[adjective] – possible when the necessary conditions exist
She has the potential to become a great musician if she continues to practice and develop her skills.
[noun] – a system of words, letters, or signs used to represent a message in secret form, or a system of numbers, letters, or signals used to represent something in a shorter or more convenient form
Anna used a secret code to write a letter to her best friend, making their communication more exciting and mysterious.
[noun] – a way to achieve something; a method
The government implemented strict measures such as lockdowns and travel restrictions to control the spread of the virus.
Article reading:
The researchers aim to sequence the genetic code of flus present in birds to identify dangerous strains and implement targeted measures to control their spread. The recent outbreak of avian flu (H5N1) has highlighted the importance of such measures, as it has affected bird populations on a large scale. While some bird flu samples have shown resistance to BTN3A3, bypassing this barrier is just one factor in the virus’s threat to human health. However, this discovery, along with genetic surveillance, provides valuable insights for assessing future disease risks and informing public health strategies.
Comprehension questions
- What did scientists from the University of Glasgow discover related to our defense against bird flu?
- How does BTN3A3 become active in response to infection, and where does it become active in the body?
- What is the role of BTN3A3 when it is activated in the nose, throat, and lungs?
- What are the potential applications of this discovery in monitoring and controlling pandemics?
- What is the main goal of the researchers regarding the genetic code of bird flu strains in birds?
Discussion questions
- Have you or anyone you know ever had bird flu or any other infectious disease? If so, can you tell us about your experience? If not, do you know about the risks and effects of such diseases on people and communities?
- Have you ever been involved in any research or scientific studies about infectious diseases or pandemics? If yes, could you share your experience? If not, what do you think about the importance of scientific research in fighting and preventing the spread of diseases?
- Do you think the recent discovery of BTN3A3’s role in reducing the replication of bird flu viruses is a significant breakthrough in our understanding of how to deal with and control potential pandemics?
- How important do you think the discovery made by scientists at the University of Glasgow about our body’s defense against bird flu is?
- What do you think could be the advantages of being able to predict the bird flu strains that pose the highest risk to humans?
Listening: