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TEXT J
First read the questions.
37. Who have found a protein called M2
A. Scientists from a Belgium University.
B. Drug-makers in Belgium.
C. Doctors in a Belgium hospital.
D. It is not mentioned.
38. How many causes of bad breath does the passage cite
A. One. B. Two. C. Three. D. Four.
Now go through TEXT J quickly to answer questions 37 and 38.
The Common Cold
The conventional wisdom says no, but by mid-century that assessment-along with the sniffles-may well be ancient history. Colds are considered incurable today because it would take months to come up with a vaccine for every new strain. That's fine for the flu, which breeds in animals and only jumps over to humans every year or two. But colds mutate even while they're infecting you, and new strains pop up so often that by the time drug-makers create a vaccine against one variation, the serum is already out of date.
The flu may yet point the way toward a cold cure though. Scientists at the University of Ghent, in Belgium, have found a protein called M2 that seems to be present in virtually every flu strain known to man. Using that knowledge, they have made a vaccine that they think could protect against all flus-old, new and those not yet in existence.
If a similar protein is found in cold viruses-a protein that's present no matter what strain is involved-then it is possible that by 2025 or so, children could be getting a universal cold vaccine. And then they will have to listen to us old geezers reminsice about the days when we used to carry a small white cloth called a handerchief.
Bad Breath
Afraid not. Bad breath isn't an illness; it's merely a symptom of something else. In some cases, the something else really is an illness-some kidney disorder or an infection. Infections can usually be cured, and if you're suffering from an incurable one or from another serious condition, bad breath is the least of your problems.
Another cause is foods like onions or garlic, in which case you're out of luck: essential oils from such foods get into the blood, then into the lungs, then out with each exhaled breath. Even in the 21st century, if you want the flavour, you risk disflavour.
The most common reason for bad breath, though, is, to put it delicately, food molecules rotting in the mouth. Mouthwash masks te smell, but ultimately you have to get rid of the stuff. Brushing removes larger particles, but dentists suggest brushing the back of the tongue as well, where food residues and bacteria congregate. The microscopic bits that remain must be flushed down by drink or saliva. But if you're waiting for a true cure, it won't happen until we eat all our food in pill form. In other words, don't hold you breath.
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