Machine Learning Used to Predict Where New Coronaviruses Might Develop Next
2021-02-18
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1Researchers have used artificial intelligence (AI) methods in an effort to predict which animals might develop new kinds of coronaviruses that affect humans.
2Scientists believe the new coronavirus spreading around the world, which causes the disease COVID-19, likely started in bats.
3It then jumped to another animal before infecting humans.
4One way to prevent new pandemics is for experts to identify which animals in different parts of the world are more likely to develop coronaviruses.
5Researchers involved in the study say one way new coronaviruses form is when two different versions of the virus infect one animal.
6When this happens, genetic material from the viruses "recombines," or mixes, in a cell.
7This can result in a new coronavirus version.
8The research involved a computer algorithm that examined data about the genetic structure of coronaviruses and information about different mammals.
9An algorithm is a set of steps that are followed in order to complete a computer process.
10Some algorithms are powered by machine learning, a form of AI.
11The new study identifies a large number of mammals that could be future carriers of coronaviruses,
12 which can infect both animals and humans.
13The results of the research were recently published in Nature Communications.
14One of the project's lead researchers was Maya Wardeh.
15She is with the Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences at the University of Liverpool.
16She said in a statement that until now, there has not been a lot of research on how different mammals are affected by different coronaviruses.
17But, such information "could offer insights into where viral recombination might occur," Wardeh added.
18The machine learning system examined 411 different coronavirus versions and 876 possible mammal species.
19The goal was to identify the mammals most likely to be co-infected and possibly carry new coronaviruses.
20The results suggested there are about 11 times more links between mammal species and coronavirus versions than had been identified in the past.
21The system also predicted 40 times more mammal species that can be infected "with four or more different (kinds) of coronaviruses than have been observed to date."
22Marcus Blagrove was co-leader of the research.
23He said results of the study can help scientists better understand the new coronavirus, which has already developed into different versions.
24Blagrove noted that coronaviruses often recombine when they infect a host and that the new coronavirus is highly infectious to humans.
25Therefore, "the most immediate threat to public health is recombination of other coronaviruses with SARS-CoV-2," he said.
26SARS-CoV-2 is the scientific name for the new coronavirus.
27When looking at the current coronavirus, the team said the machine learning system had identified hosts in which SARS-CoV-2 recombination could happen.
28It predicted at least 126 non-human species in which the new coronavirus could be found.
29The study lists some specific species that scientists can watch as possible hosts for coronaviruses.
30They include a bat species called the lesser Asiatic yellow bat, which is common in East Asia but not well studied.
31Others were the common hedgehog, the European rabbit and the house cat.
32The scientists admitted the results were based on limited data and said further research is needed to support the findings.
33However, they noted that recent testing on possible mammal hosts for the new coronavirus had confirmed a number of the system's predictions.
34The results might be used to help discover new coronavirus versions before they jump from animals to humans, the researchers said.
35Next, they plan to expand their research to include bird species to further study "the full range of important coronavirus hosts."
36I'm Bryan Lynn.
1Researchers have used artificial intelligence (AI) methods in an effort to predict which animals might develop new kinds of coronaviruses that affect humans. 2Scientists believe the new coronavirus spreading around the world, which causes the disease COVID-19, likely started in bats. It then jumped to another animal before infecting humans. 3One way to prevent new pandemics is for experts to identify which animals in different parts of the world are more likely to develop coronaviruses. Researchers involved in the study say one way new coronaviruses form is when two different versions of the virus infect one animal. When this happens, genetic material from the viruses "recombines," or mixes, in a cell. This can result in a new coronavirus version. 4The research involved a computer algorithm that examined data about the genetic structure of coronaviruses and information about different mammals. An algorithm is a set of steps that are followed in order to complete a computer process. Some algorithms are powered by machine learning, a form of AI. 5The new study identifies a large number of mammals that could be future carriers of coronaviruses, which can infect both animals and humans. The results of the research were recently published in Nature Communications. 6One of the project's lead researchers was Maya Wardeh. She is with the Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences at the University of Liverpool. She said in a statement that until now, there has not been a lot of research on how different mammals are affected by different coronaviruses. But, such information "could offer insights into where viral recombination might occur," Wardeh added. 7The machine learning system examined 411 different coronavirus versions and 876 possible mammal species. The goal was to identify the mammals most likely to be co-infected and possibly carry new coronaviruses. 8The results suggested there are about 11 times more links between mammal species and coronavirus versions than had been identified in the past. The system also predicted 40 times more mammal species that can be infected "with four or more different (kinds) of coronaviruses than have been observed to date." 9Marcus Blagrove was co-leader of the research. He said results of the study can help scientists better understand the new coronavirus, which has already developed into different versions. 10Blagrove noted that coronaviruses often recombine when they infect a host and that the new coronavirus is highly infectious to humans. Therefore, "the most immediate threat to public health is recombination of other coronaviruses with SARS-CoV-2," he said. SARS-CoV-2 is the scientific name for the new coronavirus. 11When looking at the current coronavirus, the team said the machine learning system had identified hosts in which SARS-CoV-2 recombination could happen. It predicted at least 126 non-human species in which the new coronavirus could be found. 12The study lists some specific species that scientists can watch as possible hosts for coronaviruses. They include a bat species called the lesser Asiatic yellow bat, which is common in East Asia but not well studied. Others were the common hedgehog, the European rabbit and the house cat. 13The scientists admitted the results were based on limited data and said further research is needed to support the findings. However, they noted that recent testing on possible mammal hosts for the new coronavirus had confirmed a number of the system's predictions. 14The results might be used to help discover new coronavirus versions before they jump from animals to humans, the researchers said. Next, they plan to expand their research to include bird species to further study "the full range of important coronavirus hosts." 15I'm Bryan Lynn. 16Bryan Lynn wrote this story for Learning English, based on reports from the University of Liverpool and Nature Communications. was the editor. 17We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments section, and visit our Facebook page. 18____________________________________________________________ 19Words in This Story 20artificial intelligence - n. the power of a machine to copy intelligent human behavior 21mammal - n. types of animals that feed milk to its young and that usually have hair or fur covering most of its skin 22insight - n. the ability to understand what something is really like 23occur - v. to happen 24species - n. a group of animals or plants that are similar and can produce young animals or plants; a group of related animals or plants that is smaller than a genus 25mutate - v. to cause (a gene) to change and create an unusual characteristic in a plant or animal 26host - n. a living organism on or in which a parasite lives 27domestic - adj. kept at home as a pet and not in the wild