Although the case is not ironclad, the knowledge that large numbers of bats harbor the virus should help officials prevent and control future outbreaks in humans.

Academic Andrew Price-Smith has made the controversial argument that the virus helped tip the balance of power in the later days of the war towards the Allied cause.

For example, viruses have been useful in the study of genetics and helped our understanding of the basic mechanisms of molecular genetics, such as DNA replication, transcription, RNA processing, translation, protein transport, and immunology.

In the past, virus scares helped sales of antivirus software, but also undermined the industry's credibility.

Influenza Vaccine Influenza vaccines contain inactive viruses to help the immune system recognize and protect against the virus.

Since then, genetic material of the virus has been found integrated into cancer cells of patients, and scientists have determined some of the ways the virus may help start the cancer process - for example by knocking out some of the cell's normal restraints on growth.

Because HRVC was so prevalent with those kids, this new cold virus may help focus asthma research.

Thus disabled viruses that cannot reproduce themselves, suicide marker genes that can destroy cells containing the relevant vector when required, and close examination of clinical protocols by national ethical and scientific committees all help to limit potential problems.

Perhaps the indoctrinal virus had helped, putting his brain into some mysterious state of zenlike calm so that he used up the oxygen less quickly.