1 . The 13-year-old girl Anna Grace is a volleyball manager, a basketball manager, and a theater volunteer, but perhaps her greatest
Anna was first diagnosed (诊断) with a rare type of
For the following weekends after the surgery, doctors scanned her
And throughout all of this, Anna has had to
Anna is doing well these days though. She’s
A.devotion | B.ambition | C.excitement | D.achievement |
A.cancer | B.fever | C.pain | D.cold |
A.recovery | B.growth | C.weakness | D.relief |
A.perform | B.refuse | C.attend | D.have |
A.briefly | B.partly | C.regularly | D.occasionally |
A.erased | B.noticed | C.ignored | D.marked |
A.operation | B.appointment | C.examination | D.assessment |
A.harder | B.better | C.stranger | D.easier |
A.solve | B.balance | C.abandon | D.connect |
A.teach | B.control | C.convince | D.forgive |
A.dropped out | B.blown up | C.caught up | D.held back |
A.spare | B.create | C.imagine | D.appreciate |
A.graceful | B.active | C.dominant | D.cautious |
A.vacation | B.trust | C.treatment | D.duty |
A.matters | B.suffers | C.declines | D.waits |
2 . Amblyopia is the most common cause of vision loss in children. In all cases of amblyopia, there’s a stronger eye and a weaker eye, and it’s winner-take-all in the cortex (大脑皮层). The cortex learns to ignore the signal from the weaker eye. By ignoring the weaker eye, the brain doesn’t fuse (融合) images from both eyes. As a result, people with amblyopia can have trouble seeing in 3D.
In an attempt to solve this problem, doctors start treating patients with amblyopia at a young age, while their brain pathways are still developing. The children, usually under 7 years old, are often told to wear an eye patch over their strong eye to force the brain to rely on the weaker. But whenever the eye patch is removed, the competition can start over. For lasting improvement, new treatments need to teach the brain to stop suppressing (抑制) key visual cues coming from the weaker eye, says neuroscientist Dennis Levi of the University of California.
Now, several research teams are taking a new way that aims to get the brain to make better use of the information coming from both eyes, Several companies are working on treatments based on this new angle. One is called Luminopia.
Luminopia’s therapy involves having children watch videos through a virtual reality headset. As the children watch, the headset blocks out certain parts of the display for each eye, so the patients actually have to combine input from the two images to get the full video.
The company conducted a trial showing that children with amblyopia begin to see better on eye chart assessments after three months of one-hour sessions done six days a week, But they have yet to measure improvements in long-term effectiveness. It is believed that if people with amblyopia don’t learn to fuse signals from both eyes from a young age, they never will. So some scientists think attempting to treat adults, whose brains have suppressed signals from their weak eye for decades, is a lost cause.
1. Why does a person with amblyopia have trouble seeing in 3D?A.His brain is unable to receive images. |
B.His cortex overlooks signals from the weaker eye. |
C.His stronger eye can’t send signals to the brain. |
D.His weaker eye fails to receive signals. |
A.Ineffective. | B.Temporary. |
C.Wonderful. | D.Comprehensive. |
A.Activating the weak eye to get the full video. |
B.Forcing the brain to rely on the weaker eye. |
C.Improving the situations with eye chart assessments. |
D.Blocking out the images received from the stronger eye. |
A.It has an instant effect. | B.Adults are is main targets. |
C.More trials need to be conducted. | D.It has long-term effectiveness. |
3 . For some of us, going to the dentist for routine check-ups is a thing of the ordinary. But for many people around the world, especially those in impoverished (贫困的) areas, having dental improvement and their teeth checked simply isn’t possible. A Brazilian dentist Felipe Rossi has devoted himself to helping changing that situation.
Growing up in USA, Felipe Rossi had just obtained the Bachelor of Medicine Degree and was about to start a master’s degree in Pediatric Dentistry (儿童口腔学) when a journey to his father’s home — Balsabo in Brazil — converted his initial plan. “All locals didn’t have access to dental care, and consequently, many of them suffered deformed teeth or even loss of teeth, leading to many people not daring to laugh with mouth open.” Felipe Rossi recalled. “A desire was planted in my heart. That is, to use my skills to bring healthy smiles to people suffering from dental problems.”
With the support of his parents, Felipe formed an NGO (non-government organization) called Porsorriso to give free oral treatments to individuals with low incomes who require cleaning. fillings, crowns, restoration work and more. His team is composed of approximately 30 registered volunteers who go with him to poor towns and villages in Brazil.
Sponsorship is generally provided by two private companies. Individuals may also make donations through the ‘Smile Solidarity’ program, where they can choose monthly amounts to contribute. Porsorriso also holds regular fundraisers to afford the cost of providing free dental services around the country.
As noble as its objective is, Felipe admits that Porsorriso is “struggling to survive” because of the huge cost of providing dental work and the constant fundraising events they have to hold to keep the NGO in normal functioning. “Challenging as it is, it did bring healthy teeth as well as renewed confidence to the locals. We will continue this transformative act whatever difficulties we will face”. Felipe said with a strong will.
1. How does the author introduce the topic of the text?A.By posing a contrast. |
B.By reporting an event. |
C.By assuming a situation. |
D.By making an appeal. |
A.The support from his parents. |
B.The passion for dental health. |
C.The encounter with local s lacking dental care. |
D.The professional skills and knowledge from college. |
A.Hopeful and diligent. |
B.Faithful and ambitious. |
C.Intelligent and creative. |
D.Charitable and dedicated. |
A.It gives free oral treatments to anyone in need. |
B.It is cooperated by Felipe Rossi and the local authority. |
C.It is financially supported by corporations and individuals. |
D.It holds regular fundraisers to educate people about dental care. |
Acupuncture (针灸), an ancient Chinese medical practice, has been the treatment method for
Acupuncture is a treatment,
Looking
As an ancient Chinese medical practice with a rich history and deep cultural
5 . Many of us remember the feeling of having our braces (牙套) regularly adjusted and retightened at the dentist’s. And interventions are based entirely upon the estimate of dentists and involve a great deal of trial and error, which can lead to too many visits to the dentist’s.
Professor Erleben and his team created a computer model that creates accurate 3D simulations (模拟) of an individual patient’s jaw, which dentists can use to predict how sets of braces should be designed to best straighten a patient’s teeth and plan the best possible treatment. To create these simulations, the computer model was used to map sets of human teeth after getting detailed CT images of teeth and the small, fine structures between the jawbone and the teeth. This type of precise digital simulation is referred to as a digital twin, a virtual model that lives in the cloud.
The virtual model can answer what’s happening in the real world, and do so instantly. For example, one can ask what would happen if you pushed on one tooth and get answers with regards to where it would move and how it would affect other teeth. The model also helps to predict the post treatment effect, achieve “visualization” of treatment, and facilitate patients to understand the plan of straightening their teeth. What’s more, it has enabled more flexible and convenient digital medical follow-up services.
The area of research that uses digital twins is relatively new. “However, we need to set up a sufficiently big database if digital twins are to really take root and benefit the healthcare industry,” Erleben said, “In the future, the virtual model can be used to plan, design and improve, and can therefore be used to operate companies, robots, factories and used much more in the energy, healthcare and other fields.”
1. What is Paragraph 1 mainly about?A.The professional integrity of dentists. | B.The current state of dental treatment. |
C.The procedure of retightening braces. | D.The intervention of modern technology. |
A.Predicting treatment effect. | B.Designing a computer model. |
C.Drawing the shape of a mouth. | D.Obtaining the details of teeth. |
A.Doubtful. | B.Curious. | C.Favorable. | D.Dismissive. |
A.Why digital twins make a hit | B.Where virtual treatment goes |
C.What trouble dentists encounter | D.How a virtual model aids dentists |
6 . Nightmare disorder is characterized by frequent nightmares that cause unhappiness and greatly impact our life. But a new approach is added to existing therapy (疗法) by introducing certain sounds which can help a person to turn their nightmare into a sweet dream.
The existing therapy, called Imagery Rehearsal Therapy (IRT), is already used as a way to reduce the frequency and intensity of nightmares. “You write down the bad dream in a very detailed way and then create new endings that are nonfrightening for nightmares,” said Dr. Kilkenny, the director of the Institute of Sleep Medicine at Staten Island University Hospital.
In this newly published study, the 36 participants were divided into 2 equal-sized groups. Both groups practiced IRT, but the second group additionally used Targeted Memory Reactivation (TMR). TMR works by associating the stimulation (刺激) of a specific sound with a specific thought while you’re awake. The daily practice saw them completing IRT with added TMR. The 36 participants were then recorded for 2 weeks as they slept.
Fortunately for the dreamers, both groups saw an improvement in their sleep and a drop in nightmare frequency. However, the group who had received the combination of IRT and TMR saw a drop in nightmare frequency that lasted for three months beyond the study — and even began to experience more joyful dreams instead of nightmares. “The study shows again that IRT alone works to improve nightmare disorder, but the new change is that the addition of TMR to IRT not only improves nightmare disorder but also increases the amount of positive dream experiences,” said Kilkenny.
While the results of this study are encouraging, it might be difficult to carry out them on your own. “If you’re experiencing frequent or serious nightmares, it may be helpful to first address your sleeping habits and make sure your are getting enough sleep with regular sleep and wake times,” said Dr. Dimitriu, the founder of Menlo Sleep Medicine in California.
1. What are patients required to do in IRT?A.Listen to calming music during sleep. |
B.Record their frequency of nightmares. |
C.Recreate a pleasant ending for the nightmare. |
D.Tell the doctor about details of their nightmares. |
A.By taking sleeping medicine. |
B.By practicing IRT more times. |
C.By introducing sound stimulation. |
D.By recording sounds in nightmares. |
A.Participants tend to sleep longer than before. |
B.TMR could enhance the effectiveness of IRT. |
C.The sound treatment can help improve sleeplessness. |
D.The nightmares can be avoided by both TMR and IRT. |
A.Taking regular exercises. | B.Doing a medical checkup. |
C.Seeking accurate examination. | D.Adjusting the sleeping habits. |
7 . Thousands of lives have been saved by giving blood-thinning drugs to people with a heart condition that leaves them at risk of a stroke (中风), according to the head of the NHS.
Since January 2022, about 460,000 people in England who suffer from atrial fibrillation (AF)—a dangerously irregular heart rate—have begun taking one of four anticoagulant (抗凝血的) drugs that are proved to reduce stroke risk. Speedy introduction of the drugs has kept 4,000 people alive who would otherwise have died and prevented about 17,000 strokes, according to Amanda Pritchard. Strokes kill about 27,000 people a year in England and lead to about 120,000 being taken to hospital.
A drive to encourage take-up of the drugs means 90% of the 1.5 million people in England with AF are using them. That should result in fewer strokes, which are a leading cause of death and disability, given that AF causes about one in five strokes.
“The rapid introduction of these drugs is a big step forward in providing the best possible care for patients with heart disease”, Pritchard, the leader of NHS (National Health Service) England, will say in a speech today at the King’s Fund health experts’ yearly conference.
The drugs, called direct oral anticoagulants, help keep blood from coagulating, therefore reducing the risk of a clot (凝块) developing and causing a stroke. In 2021 the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence recommended that doctors use four anticoagulant drugs.
Dr Maeva May, the Stroke Association’s director, thought of the widespread use of the drugs as “fantastic news”, because AF accounts for one in five strokes and strokes in people with AF are more likely to result in death or serious disability.
NHS England has used its spending power to cut deals with the makers of the four drugs, which has made them much more widely available. The British Heart Foundation praised the NHS’s “great progress towards its goal of reducing stroke deaths”.
1. What is the purpose of listing numbers in paragraph 2?A.To attract the readers’ attention to strokes. |
B.To introduce the specific information about AF. |
C.To show the necessity to introduce anticoagulant drugs. |
D.To summarize the steps towards reducing deaths. |
A.By identifying signs of strokes. | B.By reducing blood pressure. |
C.By keeping heart beating. | D.By preventing blood clotting. |
A.NHS England plays a big role in popularizing anticoagulant drugs. |
B.NHS England made a healthy profit on the deal with drug makers. |
C.The British Heart Foundation managed to cut stroke deaths in England. |
D.The British Heart Foundation worked with NHS England to fight stroke. |
A.A breakthrough in stroke prevention. |
B.NHS England’s life-saving conference. |
C.How to identify signs of a heart attack. |
D.How to test the effects of anticoagulant drugs. |
A.A hotel. | B.An airport. | C.A hospital. |
9 . A new breakthrough in material science could revolutionize medical implants. Scientists at Southeast University in China have developed a piezoelectric material that is not only highly effective but also biodegradable. This innovation surpasses previous biodegradable options by a factor of 13 in terms of piezoelectric performance.
Piezoelectric materials have the unique ability to convert mechanical energy into electrical energy. This property makes them ideal for various medical implants, like pacemakers and drug delivery devices. However, traditional options lack biodegradability, necessitating a second surgery for removal after serving their purpose. This additional procedure can be expensive and carries inherent surgical risks.
The newly developed material, the discovery of which was led by Zhang Hanyue and Professor Xiong Rengen, is a kind of ferroelectric molecular crystal. The crystal offers the remarkable combination of both piezoelectricity and biodegradability. Notably, the material boasts a piezoelectric coefficient (d33) of approximately 138 picocoulombs per newton, a significant 13-fold increase compared to previous biodegradable materials.
Furthermore, the material is conveniently combined with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), granting it high flexibility and biocompatibility within the body. This translates to safe implantation that can eventually dissolve naturally, eliminating the need for removal surgery.
The researchers envision this innovative material being utilized in a diverse range of next-generation medical implants. This research, published in the March 29 issue of Science magazine, represents a significant leap forward in the field of medical implants. Media outlets in China called the discovery a landmark breakthrough since the discovery of the piezoelectric effect by the Curie brothers in 1880.
1. What makes piezoelectric materials suitable for medical implants?A.Their ability to convert electrical energy into mechanical energy. |
B.Their biodegradability after serving their purpose. |
C.Their unique ability to convert mechanical energy into electrical energy. |
D.Their low cost and ease of availability. |
A.increases the piezoelectric coefficient by 13 times |
B.is only suitable for pacemakers |
C.requires a second surgery for removal |
D.lacks flexibility and biocompatibility |
A.improve its piezoelectric performance |
B.make it biodegradable |
C.enhance its flexibility and biocompatibility |
D.reduce its cost of production |
A.It was the first piezoelectric material to be developed |
B.It surpasses previous biodegradable options significantly |
C.It was discovered by Chinese scientists |
D.It has been mentioned in Science magazine |
Incense (香) boasts a long history,
Since the Tang and Song dynasties, burning incense, hanging paintings, making tea, and enjoying music have been known as the “four arts for literati (文人)”.
Moreover, medical incense is an essential part of Traditional Chinese Medicine, which considers preventative healthcare as