總被蚊子叮?這得怪父母

總被蚊子叮?這得怪父母

If you frequently find yourself covered in mosquito bites, while others escape without so much as an itch, you can blame your genes.

如果你發(fā)現(xiàn)蚊子特別喜歡叮你，而其他人都安然無恙，這其實與你的基因有關(guān)。

For British scientists have discovered evidence that some people are simply born to attract mosquitoes.

英國科學家們已經(jīng)找到了證據(jù)，證明一些人生來就容易招蚊子。

In experiments they found that people’s body smell attracted the insects in different ways - and this was strongly influences by genetics.

在實驗中他們發(fā)現(xiàn)，人體散發(fā)的味道會在不同程度上吸引昆蟲，而這種味道與基因有很大的關(guān)系。

The team, led by scientists at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, found that pairs of identical twins - who share 100 per cent of their genes - are equally attractive to mosquitoes.

研究團隊由倫敦衛(wèi)生和熱帶醫(yī)學院(London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine)的科學家們領(lǐng)銜。他們發(fā)現(xiàn)，基因完全一樣的同卵雙胞胎，對蚊子的吸引力也一樣。

Non-identical twins, who only share about 50 per cent of their genes, differ in the degree to which they attract the bugs, the scientists found.

科學家們還發(fā)現(xiàn)，對于異卵雙胞胎而言，他們的基因只有一半相同，因此對蚊子的吸引力也不一樣。

The research, published in the journal PLOS One, provides strong evidence that your chance of being bitten is genetically-driven.

這項研究發(fā)表在期刊《公共科學圖書館·綜合》(PLOS One)上，為基因決定蚊子叮咬幾率提供了強有力的證據(jù)。

The results show that the trait has a similar link to genes as height and IQ.

研究結(jié)果顯示，這一特征與基因的關(guān)聯(lián)，就好比身高、智商與基因的關(guān)系一般。

The findings build on previous work linking body odour to the chances of being attacked by mosquitoes.

此前，曾有科學家將體味與蚊子叮咬幾率相關(guān)聯(lián)，為這項研究建立了基礎(chǔ)。

The team - which also included scientists from Nottingham University, Rothamsted Research in Hertforshire, and the University of Florida - think that some individuals produce a natural insect repellent that keeps them safe.

研究團隊還包括來自諾丁漢大學(Nottingham University)、哈福德郡洛桑研究所(Rothamsted Research)和佛羅里達大學(University of Florida)的科學家們。他們認為，一些人體內(nèi)能產(chǎn)生一種天然的驅(qū)蟲劑，來讓自己免受蚊蟲叮咬。

They believe that, with further research, it may be possible to take a pill that encourages the production of this repellent odour.

他們相信，通過進一步研究，或許可以發(fā)明一種服用后能產(chǎn)生驅(qū)蟲體味的藥丸。

Lead scientist Dr James Logan, from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, said: ‘By investigating the genetic mechanism behind attractiveness to biting insects such as mosquitoes we can move closer to using this knowledge for better ways of keeping us safe from bites and the diseases insects can spread through bites.

領(lǐng)隊科學家、來自倫敦衛(wèi)生與熱帶醫(yī)學院的詹姆斯·洛根博士(James Logan)說：“通過研究蚊蟲吸引力背后的遺傳機制，我們就能進一步研究如何免受蚊蟲叮咬和疾病傳播的威脅。

‘If we understand the genetic basis for variation between individuals it could be possible to develop bespoke ways to control mosquitoes better, and develop new ways to repel them.

“如果我們能夠理解個體之間基因的差異，就能發(fā)明一種更好的控制和驅(qū)趕蚊子的方法。

‘In the future we may even be able to take a pill which will enhance the production of natural repellents by the body and ultimately replace skin lotions.’

“未來，我們甚至能發(fā)明一種藥丸，促進人體產(chǎn)生天然驅(qū)蟲素，最終用以代替驅(qū)蟲液。

The study involved 18 identical and 19 non-identical twin pairs.

這項研究的研究對象包括18對同卵雙胞胎和19對異卵雙胞胎。

In the experiment, Aedies aegypti mosquitoes - which transmit dengue fever - were released into a Y-shaped tube which divides into two sections.

實驗中，傳播登革熱的埃及伊蚊(Aedies aegypti)被釋放到分叉的Y型試管里。

They were allowed to fly down either side towards the odour from the study participants’ hands to see which twin they were most attracted to.

它們可以朝分別散發(fā)著參與者手的氣味的兩個方向飛行，以便看出雙胞胎中的哪一位更能吸引蚊子。

Vocabulary

bespoke: 定制的