《中英對照讀新聞》Why some people are prone to mosquito bites為什麼有些人容易被蚊子叮

《中英對照讀新聞》Why some people are prone to mosquito bites為什麼有些人容易被蚊子叮

◎鄭寺音

Scientists have worked out why mosquitoes make a beeline for certain people but appear to leave others almost untouched.

科學家已經研究出來，為什麼蚊子會直衝某些人而去，對其他人卻幾乎敬謝不敏。

Specific cells in one of the three organs that make up the mosquito’s nose are tuned to identify the different chemicals that make up human body odour.

蚊子鼻子的三個主要組成器官，其中一個器官的某些特別的細胞，會辨識構成人體氣味的不同化學物質。

To the mosquito some people’s sweat simply smells better than others because of the proportions of the carbon dioxide, octenol and other compounds that make up body odour.

對蚊子而言，一些人的汗味，由於二氧化碳、八烯醇等組成身體氣味的複合物比例，聞起來就是比其他人好。

It is those people who are most likely to be bitten.

那些就是最可能被蚊子叮的人。

The researchers believe the discovery of the way the mosquito smells will lead to the development of a new generation of repellents that would block mosquitoes’ nose-preventing them finding humans prey-within five to 10 years.

研究人員相信，發現蚊子嗅聞的方式，可以在5到10年內幫助研發出可以堵住蚊子鼻子的防蚊劑，阻止牠們殘害人類。

While helping those people who always seem to get bitten, such substances could also save millions of lives in the fight against malaria.

這種物質不只能幫助似乎老是被蚊子叮的人，也有助於對抗瘧疾，解救數百萬人的性命。

新聞辭典

prone to︰易於，有…傾向。例句：He used to be prone to anger.（他以前動不動就生氣。）

work out︰解決、弄懂。例句：There will be a full investigation to work out what caused the accident.（將進行充分調查，確定意外的原因。）

make a beeline for （something）︰直奔某物而去。