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This is Scientific American's 60-Second Science. I'm Steve Mirsky. Got a minute?

"The human genome was sequenced, and in the process of moving that forward the technology that was developed was incredible. And because of their efforts in human genome, that technology is available to folks like us."

Northern Arizona University's Paul Keim at the ScienceWriters2011 conference. The ability to compare genomes is a powerful tool for identifying the origins of a natural disease outbreak or bioterrorism. Keim's team examined the anthrax mailed to victims in the 2001 attacks and determined¹ that it did not come from Iraq.

"The government really wanted to figure out what was going on there. Half a million dollars to sequence a genome, no problem, go do it. Go do it 20 times if you want. And so we had access to this technology. So we were able to push the limits of what could be done in this area of molecular² identification of pathogens at a very early stage. Ten years ago. Now we're doing it on everything. Because the cost of this technology has plunged³. We can sequence a genome of a bacterium⁴ for somewhere between $10 and $100."

Thanks for the minute. For Scientific American's 60-Second Science, I'm Steve Mirsky.

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收听单词发音

1 determined
adj.坚定的；有决心的
参考例句：
I have determined on going to Tibet after graduation.我已决定毕业后去西藏。 He determined to view the rooms behind the office.他决定查看一下办公室后面的房间。

2 molecular
adj.分子的；克分子的
参考例句：
The research will provide direct insight into molecular mechanisms.这项研究将使人能够直接地了解分子的机理。 For the pressure to become zero, molecular bombardment must cease.当压强趋近于零时，分子的碰撞就停止了。

3 plunged
v.颠簸( plunge的过去式和过去分词 )；暴跌；骤降；突降
参考例句：
The train derailed and plunged into the river. 火车脱轨栽进了河里。 She lost her balance and plunged 100 feet to her death. 她没有站稳，从100英尺的高处跌下摔死了。

4 bacterium
n.(pl.)bacteria 细菌
参考例句：
The bacterium possibly goes in the human body by the mouth.细菌可能通过口进入人体。 A bacterium is identified as the cause for his duodenal ulcer.一种细菌被断定为造成他十二指肠溃疡的根源。