Advertisement

Roo News

The Student News Site of University of Missouri - Kansas City

Roo News

Roo News

Amidst the festive spirit of St. Patricks Day, the iconic symbol of luck, the clover, reminds us of the rich traditions and celebrations honoring Irish heritage.
Exploring St. Patrick's Day Alternatives in Kansas City
Aydan Stigler and Grace Beshore March 14, 2024

  The annual St. Patrick's Day celebration is just around the corner, and with celebration comes large crowds.    The annual city parade...

Visit the City Market to explore local vendors.
Smart Saving Strategies for a Wallet-Friendly Spring Break
Emily Wheeler, Staff Writer • March 14, 2024

  UMKC students are ready for the upcoming week-long spring break, but are their wallets?   From travel adventures to staycations, spring...

Earth Mother by Sheron Smith
Her Art/Their Art Explores the Female Experience in the 21st Century
Elyse Bredfeldt, Staff Writer • March 12, 2024

  Her Art/Their Art is a collection that aims to answer the question: “What does it mean to identify, live, navigate, or be perceived by society...

Nina Simone: Four Women” playbook.
The KC Rep’s “Nina Simone: Four Women” is both timeless and poignant.
Maisy Blanton, Staff Writer • March 5, 2024

  The Kansas City Repertory Theater (KCRep) recently performed “Nina Simone: Four Women.” The show follows musician Nina Simone as she...

Around 1 million people were estimated to be in attendance at the parade.
One Dead, Several Injured During Chiefs Parade
Zach Gunter and Jazlyn Summers February 14, 2024

Update:   As of 2:30 p.m. Thursday afternoon, the number of those injured at the Union Station shooting after the Chiefs Super Bowl parade...

UMKC professor discovers new strain of HIV

UMKC+professor+discovers+new+strain+of+HIV
Evans, Ethan (UMKC-Student)

A UMKC professor helped discover the first new subtype of HIV in nearly 20 years. 

The strain, called HIV-1 Group M, Subtype L, comes from the same virus family that caused the HIV pandemic in 1981, which has killed 32 million people to date. 

“In an increasingly connected world, we can no longer think of viruses being contained to one location,” said study author and School of Dentistry Professor Dr. Carole McArthur. “This discovery reminds us that to end the HIV pandemic, we must continue to outthink this continuously changing virus and use the latest advancements in technology and resources to monitor its evolution.”

McArthur discovered the strain alongside fellow researchers at Abbott Labs in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where the HIV virus originated. 

The landmark discovery was a long time coming. In order for a virus to be classified as a new HIV subtype, three independent cases must be discovered. The first two cases were discovered in the 1980s and ‘90s, and although the third was collected in 2001, it wasn’t until now that it could be properly sequenced. 

Co-author Dr. Mary Rodgers likened discovering viruses like these to pulling a needle from a haystack, but with advancements in gene-sequencing technology, scientists are now “pulling the needle out with a magnet.” 

“The fact we are still identifying unique subtypes means that HIV-1 has more secrets to uncover,” said UMKC biology major Evan Piers. “A new subtype means a more complete evolutionary tree and that we can explore and have a better idea about how [the virus] mutates.”

Fortunately, scientists say the new subtype is similar enough to other strains that it can be diagnosed and treated the same way. 

“This scientific discovery can help us ensure we are stopping new pandemics in their tracks,” Rodgers said.

[email protected]

View Comments (1)
Donate to Roo News

Your donation will support the student journalists of University of Missouri - Kansas City. Your contribution will allow us to purchase equipment and cover our annual website hosting costs.

More to Discover
Donate to Roo News

Comments (1)

All Roo News Picks Reader Picks Sort: Newest

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *