60秒科学:Math:The Eyes Have It

I still tend to move my fingers, almost subconsciously¹, when doing arithmetic. Well, that might not be so strange, according to research published in the May 8th issue of the journal Science. The report says that math and movement through space use some of the same brain circuitry.

Researchers in France scanned the neural² activity in the brains of people who were moving their eyes right or left. Then study participants were asked to do arithmetic in their heads. And the brain scan data correctly showed whether the person was adding or subtracting. Because adding used the same brain circuits as when eyes moved right. And subtraction³ matched up with the neurons firing when eyes moved left.

Researchers say this finding shows that the development of math is too recent and advanced to have a brain region devoted⁴ solely⁵ to it. So we reuse systems that we already have. The study authors note that “throughout the history of mathematics, concepts of number and space have been tightly intertwined.” Now we know that the connection even occurs in our brains. So I don’t feel too bad about still counting on my fingers.

—Cynthia Graber

1 subconsciously   

ad.下意识地，潜意识地

参考例句：

• In choosing a partner we are subconsciously assessing their evolutionary fitness to be a mother of children or father provider and protector. 在选择伴侣的时候，我们会在潜意识里衡量对方将来是否会是称职的母亲或者父亲，是否会是合格的一家之主。
• Lao Yang thought as he subconsciously tightened his grasp on the rifle. 他下意识地攥紧枪把想。 来自汉英文学 - 散文英译

2 neural   

adj.神经的，神经系统的

参考例句：

• The neural network can preferably solve the non- linear problem.利用神经网络建模可以较好地解决非线性问题。
• The information transmission in neural system depends on neurotransmitters.信息传递的神经途径有赖于神经递质。

3 subtraction   

n.减法，减去

参考例句：

• We do addition and subtraction in arithmetic.在算术里,我们作加减运算。
• They made a subtraction of 50 dollars from my salary.他们从我的薪水里扣除了五十美元。

4 devoted   

adj.忠诚的，忠实的，热心的，献身于...的

参考例句：

• He devoted his life to the educational cause of the motherland.他为祖国的教育事业贡献了一生。
• We devoted a lengthy and full discussion to this topic.我们对这个题目进行了长时间的充分讨论。

5 solely   

adv.仅仅，唯一地

参考例句：

• Success should not be measured solely by educational achievement.成功与否不应只用学业成绩来衡量。
• The town depends almost solely on the tourist trade.这座城市几乎完全靠旅游业维持。