新奇事件簿 科学家研制"运动"药物

US researchers say they have developed a pill that makes you fit without exercising. Scientists at California's Salk Institute for Biological Studies tested a new drug on genetically¹ engineered “marathon mice” that could run non-stop for hours. They then developed a pill that could reproduce the positive effects of the running. Researcher Professor Ronald Evans said the pill helps cells burn fat quicker and at the same time boosts energy levels. The new discovery could benefit those who do not get the recommended 40 minutes of exercise per day. Professor Evans said: "If you're out of shape, and most of us are, you have to do some exercise. If there was a way to mimic² exercise, it would make the quality of exercise we have much more efficient."

美国研究人员表示，他们研制出了一种无须锻炼就能保持健康的药物。在加利福尼亚州拉霍亚的索尔克生物研究所，科学家正在对“大力鼠”进行基因改造，这种老鼠能够跑步几小时不停歇。该药物能够提高跑步效果。罗纳德·埃万斯教授表示，这种药物能够加快脂肪燃烧，与此同时提高能级。我们每天推荐的运动时间是40分钟，对于没有达到水平的民众，这项研究将让他们受益。埃万斯教授认为：“如果你的身体不好，其实我们绝大多数都不健康，那么你就需要锻炼。如果我们能仿效锻炼方式，那么这种锻炼将更高效。”

Fitness experts are unconvinced by the new discovery. They say there is no substitute for real exercise and a balanced, healthy diet. However, it seems there would be enormous appeal for a pill that does away with the need for strenuous³ workouts or sweating it out jogging. If the effects can be reproduced in humans, it could become one of science’s biggest money-spinners. It could additionally reduce a large number of diseases related to obesity⁴ and seriously cut the number of hospital patients. Scientists also say such a medicine could be used to treat muscle-wasting diseases. The pills are still in the experimental stage and the researchers are not working with any drug manufacturer.

许多健康专家对这项新研究不以为然。他们认为没有什么可以替代锻炼和健康饮食。然而，人们对这种新药充满了兴趣，它不再需要人们拼命锻炼，或是慢跑出汗。如果它真的能够提高锻炼效果，那么它将成为科学家的“摇钱树”。它或可以大量避免与肥胖有关疾病，大幅度减少医院患者数量。科学家还认为，这类药物或将可以治疗肌肉消耗疾病。该药仍处于实验阶段，研究人员还没有与任何医药公司展开合作。

1 genetically   

adv.遗传上

参考例句：

• All the bees in the colony are genetically related. 同一群体的蜜蜂都有亲缘关系。
• Genetically modified foods have already arrived on American dinner tables. 经基因改造加工过的食物已端上了美国人的餐桌。 来自英汉非文学 - 生命科学 - 基因与食物

2 mimic   

v.模仿，戏弄；n.模仿他人言行的人

参考例句：

• A parrot can mimic a person's voice.鹦鹉能学人的声音。
• He used to mimic speech peculiarities of another.他过去总是模仿别人讲话的特点。

3 strenuous   

adj.奋发的，使劲的；紧张的；热烈的，狂热的

参考例句：

• He made strenuous efforts to improve his reading. 他奋发努力提高阅读能力。
• You may run yourself down in this strenuous week.你可能会在这紧张的一周透支掉自己。

4 obesity   

n.肥胖，肥大

参考例句：

• One effect of overeating may be obesity.吃得过多能导致肥胖。
• Sugar and fat can more easily lead to obesity than some other foods.糖和脂肪比其他食物更容易导致肥胖。