"Lean gene" raises risk of heart disease, diabetes

 　　BEIJING, June 27 (Xinhuanet) -- A "lean gene¹" that helps people keep slim was found closely related to diabetes² and heart disease, according to a study pulished in Nature Genetics journal on Sunday.

　　The scientists from Britain’s Medical Research Council Epidemiology Unit conducted the study.

　　After comparing the genetic³ codes of more than 75,000 people, a gene called IRS1 was spotted⁴ as the decisive factor to lower the fat level in human body.

　　But in further study, IRS1 was found putting people to a 20 percent higher risk of developing heart disease and type-2 diabetes.

　　The study warned that people who appear slim and fit might be also at risk.

　　But scientists suggest that the study results did not change the general message for most people.

　　"While this study pointed⁵ to genes⁶ as one factor in determining the risk of developing these conditions, it was important to remember that lifestyle factors like diet, exercise, cutting out smoking and maintaining a healthy weight also play a vital role in reducing the risk," said Ruth Loos, who led the study.（本文由在线英语听力室整理编辑）

1 gene   

n.遗传因子，基因

参考例句：

• A single gene may have many effects.单一基因可能具有很多种效应。
• The targeting of gene therapy has been paid close attention.其中基因治疗的靶向性是值得密切关注的问题之一。

2 diabetes   

n.糖尿病

参考例句：

• In case of diabetes, physicians advise against the use of sugar.对于糖尿病患者，医生告诫他们不要吃糖。
• Diabetes is caused by a fault in the insulin production of the body.糖尿病是由体內胰岛素分泌失调引起的。

3 genetic   

adj.遗传的，遗传学的

参考例句：

• It's very difficult to treat genetic diseases.遗传性疾病治疗起来很困难。
• Each daughter cell can receive a full complement of the genetic information.每个子细胞可以收到遗传信息的一个完全补偿物。

4 spotted   

adj.有斑点的，斑纹的，弄污了的

参考例句：

• The milkman selected the spotted cows,from among a herd of two hundred.牛奶商从一群200头牛中选出有斑点的牛。
• Sam's shop stocks short spotted socks.山姆的商店屯积了有斑点的短袜。

5 pointed   

adj.尖的，直截了当的

参考例句：

• He gave me a very sharp pointed pencil.他给我一支削得非常尖的铅笔。
• She wished to show Mrs.John Dashwood by this pointed invitation to her brother.她想通过对达茨伍德夫人提出直截了当的邀请向她的哥哥表示出来。

6 genes   

n.基因( gene的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• You have good genes from your parents, so you should live a long time. 你从父母那儿获得优良的基因，所以能够活得很长。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Differences will help to reveal the functions of the genes. 它们间的差异将会帮助我们揭开基因多种功能。 来自英汉非文学 - 生命科学 - 生物技术的世纪