英语听力精选进阶版 7292（在线收听）

科学家们新发现了一种引发疟疾的寄生虫菌株，这类菌株对现有的治疗疟疾最有效的药物青蒿素具有抗药性。

Artemisinin is a frontline drug in the fight against malaria. It's used around the world, and can clear the infection in just a few days. But reports of resistance began to emerge in western Cambodia in 2008, and this has now spread to other areas in South East Asia.

To investigate, scientists sequenced the genomes of more than 800 malaria-causing parasites collected from all around the world. They found that some of the strains present in Cambodia were significantly different to the rest, and these were able to withstand artemisinin treatment.

The researchers don't yet know how the parasites are beating the drugs. But they say understanding their genetic fingerprint will help them to quickly detect and track these strains if they spread.

Quiz 听力测验

How long does it take artemisinin to cure a malaria infection?

A few days.

In which places have artemisinin-resistant parasites been found?

In Cambodia and other parts of South East Asia.

True or false: Scientists understand how the parasites are beating artemisinin.

False. The researchers don't yet know how the parasites are beating the drugs.

True or false: Scientists say checking malaria sufferers' fingerprints can help them track the disease.

False. Scientists say understanding the parasites' genetic fingerprint will help them to quickly detect and track these strains if they spread.

Glossary 词汇表

frontline 一线的

resistance 抵制，免疫力

emerge 出现

sequenced the genomes 基因排列

parasites 寄生虫，寄生物

strains 种类

withstand 耐得住，抗得起

genetic fingerprint 基因指纹

detect 发现，查明

track 追踪研究