【英语时差8,16】红头发人的抗痛力-上

 We redheads are well known for our fiery¹ tempers. Now it seems there's scientific backing for our ginger² whingeing as well. Scientists in the United States studied a group of 144 dental patients almost half of whom had red hair. They found that the red-haired group were more sensitive to pain and as a result were twice as likely to avoid visiting the dentist. Previous research had shown that gingers³ were more resistant⁴ to the effects of local anaesthesia than people with other hair colours. The scientists say that this red-haired sensitivity to pain stems from the actions of a gene⁵ called MC1R. This is responsible for the production of melanin which gives skin and hair its colour. In about five percent of white people the gene is mutated leading to freckles⁶, fair skin and red hair. Researchers say there are some receptors of this gene in the brain and that this could affect pain sensitivity.

1 fiery   

adj.燃烧着的，火红的；暴躁的；激烈的

参考例句：

• She has fiery red hair.她有一头火红的头发。
• His fiery speech agitated the crowd.他热情洋溢的讲话激动了群众。

2 ginger   

n.姜，精力，淡赤黄色；adj.淡赤黄色的；vt.使活泼，使有生气

参考例句：

• There is no ginger in the young man.这个年轻人没有精神。
• Ginger shall be hot in the mouth.生姜吃到嘴里总是辣的。

3 gingers   

n.姜，生姜( ginger的名词复数 )；姜黄色

参考例句：

• Condiments: Salt, gourmet powder, rice wine, corianders, scallions, gingers and sesame oil. 调料：盐、味精、料酒、香菜、葱、姜、香油。 来自互联网

4 resistant   

adj.(to)抵抗的，有抵抗力的

参考例句：

• Many pests are resistant to the insecticide.许多害虫对这种杀虫剂有抵抗力。
• They imposed their government by force on the resistant population.他们以武力把自己的统治强加在持反抗态度的人民头上。

5 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。

6 freckles   

n.雀斑，斑点( freckle的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• She had a wonderful clear skin with an attractive sprinkling of freckles. 她光滑的皮肤上有几处可爱的小雀斑。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• When she lies in the sun, her face gets covered in freckles. 她躺在阳光下时，脸上布满了斑点。 来自《简明英汉词典》