国外媒体:较高的语言技能有助于减少老年性痴呆症的发生

Researchers followed a small group of Catholic nuns¹, testing them for any signs of memoryproblems. After their death, their brains were examined for the hallmarks of Alzheimer’sdisease. However, some with signs of Alzheimer’s in their brains had not shown any signs ofmemory difficulties. The researchers next analyzed² essays that many of the participants hadwritten when they were around 20 years old. They found that the language was far morecomplex in the group of women without memory problems. The researchers conclude thatsuperior language skills early in life may predict the brain’s ability to cope with early stagesof Alzheimer’s disease decades later, due to differences in mental reserves.

Hallmark: a feature or quality that is typical of sb/sth 特征，特点

Police said the explosion bore all the hallmarks of a terrorist attack.

警方称这次爆炸具有恐怖分子袭击的所有特征。

Superior: 较好的,优秀的,上等的

This handbag is made of superior leather. 

这只手提包由上等皮革制成。

Cope with: 对付，应对，克服

Our ancestors have to cope with cold, hunger as well as attack from wild animal.

我们的祖先必须应付寒冷，饥饿以及野兽的袭击。

1 nuns   

n.（通常指基督教的）修女， （佛教的）尼姑( nun的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• Ah Q had always had the greatest contempt for such people as little nuns. 小尼姑之流是阿Q本来视如草芥的。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
• Nuns are under vows of poverty, chastity and obedience. 修女须立誓保持清贫、贞洁、顺从。 来自辞典例句

2 analyzed   

v.分析( analyze的过去式和过去分词 )；分解；解释；对…进行心理分析

参考例句：

• The doctors analyzed the blood sample for anemia. 医生们分析了贫血的血样。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• The young man did not analyze the process of his captivation and enrapturement, for love to him was a mystery and could not be analyzed. 这年轻人没有分析自己蛊惑著迷的过程，因为对他来说，爱是个不可分析的迷。 来自《简明英汉词典》