In a groundbreaking effort, scientists at the University of Rochester have successfully transferred a longevity gene from naked mole rats to mice, leading to enhanced health and a longer lifespan for the mice.
Unlike many other species, the rats do not often contract diseases — including cancer — as they age. Vera Gorbunova, the Doris Johns Cherry Professor of biology and medicine at Rochester, along with Andrei Seluanov, a professor of biology, and their colleagues have devoted decades of research to understanding the unique mechanisms (机制) that the naked mole rats use to protect themselves against aging and diseases. The researchers discovered that HMW-HA is one mechanism responsible for the rats’ unusual resistance to cancer. Compared to mice and humans, naked mole rats have about ten times more HMW-HA in their bodies. When the researchers removed HMW-HA from the rat cells, the cells were more likely to form tumors (肿瘤).
“Our study provides a proof of principle that unique longevity mechanisms that evolved in long-lived mammals can be exported to improve the lifespans of other mammals,” says Gorbunova. The Rochester researchers report in a study published in Nature that they successfully transferred a gene responsible for making HMW-HA from a naked mole rat to mice. This led to improved health and an approximate 4.4 percent increase in the median lifespan for the mice.
By introducing a specific gene responsible for enhanced cellular repair and protection into mice, the researchers have opened exciting possibilities for unlocking the secrets of aging and extending human lifespan. “It took us 10 years from the discovery of HMW-HA in the naked mole rat to showing that HMW-HA improves health in mice,” Gorbunova says. “Our next goal is to transfer this benefit to humans.”
They believe they can accomplish this through two routes: either by slowing down the degradation of HMW-HA or by enhancing HMW-HA synthesis. “We hope that our findings will provide the first, but not the last, example of how longevity adaptations from a long-lived species can be adapted to benefit human longevity and health.” Seluanov says.
1. What does paragraph 2 mainly talk about?A.The beneficial effects of HMW-HA on humans. |
B.The comparison between mice and humans in longevity. |
C.The process of transferring genes producing HMW-HA. |
D.The discovery of a unique mechanism for cancer resistance. |
A.They have uncovered the secrets of humans. |
B.They managed to end the weakening of HMW-HA. |
C.They are planning to export longevity genes to humans. |
D.They have spent 10 years trying to discover HMW-HA. |
A.Hopeful. | B.Profitable. | C.Doubtful. | D.Uncertain. |
A.Promise Shown in Control of Human Genes |
B.Scientists Successfully Transfer Longevity Gene |
C.Achievement Made in Extending Human Lifespan |
D.New Breakthrough Paves the Way for Curing Cancer |
相似题推荐
【推荐1】“What beautiful music!”I shout loudly as my 9-year-old son practices playing the violin. He’s used to this praise; I give rewards like that most days. But every once in a while, I skip it, and when I do, I can see the disappointment on his face when he’s finished.
Am I a bad mom? Conventional wisdom says that consistency is key to parenting since it enables your child to predict how you’ll react, leading to good behavior. And it’s true that children need some level of predictability in their lives, particularly when it comes to discipline.
But research suggests that inconsistent gifts and praise can have a greater effect on motivation. While we all like to live in a predictable world, we often respond more strongly to unpredictable rewards.
In one experiment, my colleagues and I told participants they’d be paid if they could drink about one-and-a-half quarts of water in two minutes or less. In one condition, we offered people a $2 fixed reward. In another, there was an uncertain reward of either $2 or $1. The certain reward was a better deal, yet many more people successfully met the challenge when assigned an uncertain reward. Resolving the uncertainty — whether they would win $1 or $2 — was significantly more motivating than winning $2 for sure.
Here is one of the reasons why uncertainty is motivating. What scientists call “intermittent (间歇性) reinforcement” — rewarding behavior on some but not all occasions — makes it more arduous to know when rewards will show up. If you very often, but don’t always, praise your child for completing their chores, they’ll keep up the good behavior in the hope of receiving praise the next time.
So don’t assume that if kids are always praised for finishing their homework, they’ll be more likely to do it. Do praise young people for a job well done, just not every time. And pick rewards out of a hat when they complete chores—the surprise prize might keep everyone motivated to get things done.
1. Why does the author mention her kid’s story in the first paragraph?A.To display the conclusion of her research. |
B.To show that her kid is very smart. |
C.To explain that she is a good mom. |
D.To lead in the topic. |
A.It was more inspiring. | B.It was more demanding. |
C.It was fair to all participants. | D.It was easy to get more rewards. |
A.Convenient. | B.Popular. | C.Flexible. | D.Difficult. |
A.Why Consistency Is Critical to Parenting |
B.Why Resolving Uncertainty Is Rewarding |
C.How Inconsistent Praise Affects Motivation |
D.How Parents’ Behaviors Affect Their Children |
【推荐2】PCs are no longer the only things that can be hacked(非法侵入). Anything with an electronic pulse, including cars, TVs and refrigerators, is now a target for hackers. Here are several strangest hacks that show where the future is headed:
Remote-controlling a car – Well-known security researcher Charlie Miller is able to control a car by accessing the automotive computer. In 2011, a security company figured out how to unlock a car and start it just by texting and back in 2010, someone hacked into100 cars in Texas, causing them to honk(鸣响)uncontrollably before he remotely disabled them.
Cyber Murder – In Season 2 of Show Time’s homeland series, hackers kill the US Vice President by hacking his pacemaker(心脏起搏器). Typical Hollywood B. S., right? No. It could actually happen. Well-known security researcher Barnaby Jack, who sadly passed away in July at the age of 35, had been prepared to demonstrate at Back Hat how to hack a pacemaker over Wi-Fi. The attack could kill a person by giving the pacemaker a high-voltage shock.
Spy Phone – By now, more people are becoming aware of the potential for a phone to be hacked. But what many fail to realize is the awesome potential of a smart phone to affect you, it has been hacked.
When Your TV Watches You – This type of hack makes it possible to monitor people in their homes via the internet. Smart TVs aren’t that common yet, but in the next few years they could become an important part of the living room, so watch out.
1. The main purpose of this text is to ________.A.promote hacking technology |
B.demonstrate how hacks work today |
C.teach people how to avoid being hacked |
D.enrich people’s knowledge of hacks’ new trend |
A.was killed by the attack over Wi-Fi |
B.was a well-known actor and researcher |
C.researched how to hack a pacemaker over Wi-Fi |
D.died at Black Hat when hacking a pacemaker |
A.smart TVs |
B.smart phones |
C.the Internet |
D.cars |
【推荐3】A recent analysis from the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine highlights the benefits of replacing animal products with plant-based foods. This analysis, which amplifies a previous study by the same committee, further emphasizes the significant impact of plant-based diets on weight loss, cholesterol (胆固醇) and fat intake in overweight adults.
The most significant finding is that both healthy and unhealthy plant-based foods contribute to weight loss when they replace animal products in the diet. This conclusion is significant because it underlines the potential of a plant-based diet, regardless of the specific type of plant-based foods consumed, in managing weight and improving overall health.
This analysis is a secondary examination of a prior study that involved 244 overweight adults. The participants were divided into two groups. The first group followed a low-fat vegan (素食的) diet, and the second made no changes to their diet. Obviously, the study set no restrictions on calorie intake, and the researchers did not give participants specific instructions on diet quality.
The study authors used two different indexes (指标) to assess: the healthful plant-based diet index (hPDI), and the unhealthful plant-based diet index (uPDI). The hPDI emphasizes fruits, vegetables, grains, and beans, while the uPDI includes more refined grains and fruit juices. Higher scores on the indexes correlate with greater consumption of plant-based foods and reduced consumption of animal products.
The results revealed that after 16 weeks, participants on the vegan diet showed increased scores in both indexes. This increase significantly correlated with participants losing an average of about 13 pounds, mainly from reduced fat mass. The second group showed no change in their index scores.
Overall, the analysis provides strong evidence that eating plant-based foods is effective for weight management and health improvement.
1. What does the underlined word “amplifies” mean in paragraph 1?A.Abuse. | B.Expand. | C.Launch. | D.Classify. |
A.The causes of putting on weights. | B.The key insight on plant-based foods. |
C.The significance of managing weights. | D.The specific types of plant-based foods. |
A.By improving participants’ diet quality. |
B.By following participants’ daily routines. |
C.By monitoring participants’ calorie intake. |
D.By comparing participants’ indexes scores. |
A.Being on diet is the key to losing weight. |
B.All plant products are beneficial to health. |
C.Plant-based foods show promising results. |
D.Animal products have no effect on weight. |
【推荐1】You might be the apple of your mother’s eye, which could only be a good thing. But adults who believe they are their mother's favorite child are at an increasing risk of depression, according to a study.
“It is a huge cost for those who think they get closest to their mothers, and these children report higher depressive symptoms(症状),” said Professor Jill Suitor from Purdue University in Indiana, who led the study.
The academics used date collected from 725 adult children with an average age of 49, analyzing levels of emotional closeness, conflict, pride and disappointment.
The researchers added that previous studies had found that those who were closer to their mothers experienced less closeness with their siblings (兄弟姐妹).
Though few mothers or fathers would admit that they have a favorite son or daughter, studies have suggested they often do.
One such piece of research, which was carried out by the University of California in 2005, found that 65 percent of mothers and 70 percent of fathers showed a preference for one of their children over their siblings.
A previous study carried out by Professor Suitor and Dr Gilligan found that mothers tended to favor an adult child who was similar to them, in terms of values and beliefs.
Arabella Russell, a professor in Dorking, Surrey, said family problems, such as the siblings cannot get along well with each other, can often spill over into our romantic relationships, by influencing how we relate to our partners.
1. What does the underlined word “It” refer to in the second paragraph?A.More chances to suffer from depression. |
B.More time spent staying with their mothers. |
C.More money spent on their growing up. |
D.The disability to get along well with others. |
A.Because the child performs better. |
B.Because they have similar attitudes. |
C.Because the child is smarter. |
D.Because they look similar. |
A.The parents will be disliked. |
B.The members will never make up again. |
C.More members will have mental problems. |
D.The children may have problems in their romantic relationships when growing up. |
A.The children. | B.Parents |
C.The researchers. | D.The adult children. |
【推荐2】The UK's first fully solar-powered home, which removes the need to ever receive a gas or electricity bill again, has gone on sale, but it will cost you £1.2 million.
The timber-framed home in Great Glen, Leicestershire, contains a number of “zero-carbon feature” including solar electric energy, triple glazing and rainwater storage. It is entirely heated by underground water-filled tubes that are warmed by solar energy from rooftop panels. The house was designed and built by Caplin Homes and covers two acres of land. The design and construction, down to the materials, were used specifically for their low carbon footprint.
The solar panels on the roof of the five-bedroom house are called hybrids because they collect both electrical and thermal energy. Solar walls preheat incoming air, and an Earth Energy Bank (EEB) and heat pump can store heat, and get it back for use when temperatures drop. The south-facing triple-glazed windows are said to also improve the house's energy management during the winter.
All the technologies are controlled by a control system, which monitors the inside and outside temperatures, how much energy is being received by the solar panels, and the heat levels in the EE domestic hot water tank. Due to its low energy design, the Solar House is expected to only require heat from the EEB for about 10 weeks of the year.
For £1.2 million, buyers also get two garages. Estate agent (房地产经纪人) Anthony Fox said the possibility of no utility bills was a big draw for potential owners: the idea is that your bills pretty much disappear and the house is self-sustaining and self-sufficient. That was a big aspect for most of the people who came to have a look around. “We had a lot of interest on the open day. There were some strong considerations to buy there and then. Everyone was very keen to learn how the house worked.” He added.
1. Which is true about the UK’s first fully solar-powered home?A.It is directly heated by rooftop panels. |
B.It has a set of heat-storage device available. |
C.All of its materials are not environmentally friendly. |
D.Its walls can keep cold air from coming in to store heat. |
A.The monitor of the temperature. |
B.The amount of the received energy. |
C.The function of the control system. |
D.The significance of the new technologies. |
A.No gas or electricity bill. | B.Two additional garages. |
C.Unique structure of the house. | D.Only £1.2 million for the house. |
A.To advertise a zero-carbon house. |
B.To recommend an amazing house. |
C.To introduce a solar-powered house. |
D.To explain how the low-energy house works. |
【推荐3】If you read the news about honeybee survival, it's all very confusing.
The Hoover Institution's Dr. Henry Miller notes “The reality is that honeybee populations are not declining. According to U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization(FAO) statistics,the world's honeybee population rose to 80 million colonies(群落) in 2011 from 50 million in1960.”Meanwhile Jennifer Sass of the Natural Resources Defense Council points out “The number of managed honeybee colonies in the U. S. has dropped from four million hives(蜂群) in 1970 to 2.5 million today.”
Surprisingly, both of these claims are correct. Miller points to the “global” commercial honeybee-hive count, which has grown considerably. Sass points to domestic colony numbers only, which have in fact declined.
Far more bees are farmed for making honey than for pollination(传粉) services. Since more honey is now made overseas than it was in the past, more hives are kept overseas, and fewer in the United States and Europe. And the global number of commercial hives and honey they produce has grown to meet the demands of an expanding world population. Such shifts offer no evidence of a honeybee hive crisis. They simply represent the market forces of supply and demand.
The FAO data also clarify that national or even regional declines in the size of the managed honeybee population cannot prove claims of a global pollinator decline or a pollination crisis. However, it emphasizes that solutions to those problems must be motivated locally, rather than globally.
Solutions will follow only if we take a non-subjective look at the issues, so we can address them appropriately rather than have a crisis mentality. As I highlight in a recent post for The Hill,a big part of the solution lies at the very local level: with the beekeepers, farmers, and communities that surround them.
1. What makes the news confusing?A.Various species. | B.Different affects. |
C.Complicated statistics. | D.Contradictory conclusions. |
A.The claims of the FAO. |
B.The shift of honey export. |
C.The increasing demands of honey. |
D.The more services of pollination. |
A.Supportive. | B.Objective. |
C.Confused. | D.Doubtful. |
A.Honeybee Crisis Solved or Not? |
B.Honeybee Population Declining or Not? |
C.Honeybee Market Global or Local? |
D.Honeybee Research Global or Local? |