新奇事件簿 治愈感冒的新分子（在线收听）

British researchers say they are close to finding a cure for the common cold. Scientists have worked for decades on a medicine that would help to end colds. The biggest problem for researchers was finding a drug that could fight the hundreds of types of viruses that can cause a cold. The viruses are difficult to find and they change very quickly so they can fight against new drugs. Until now, there has been no way to treat cold viruses, so we all have to suffer every winter. However, scientists have developed a special molecule that could make colds a thing of the past. They tested the molecule and found that it blocked the viruses that cause colds. The molecule stopped the viruses from working in the body.

英国研究人员表示他们即将发现一种治愈感冒的疗法。几十年来科学家们一直致力于研究一种能够帮助终止感冒的药物。研究人员的最大困难是寻找到一种能够对抗数百种引发感冒的病毒。病毒很难被发现，并且为了对抗新型药物，病毒变化非常快。直到现在仍没有治疗感冒病毒的方法，所以我们每个冬天都可能患上感冒。但科学家们开发出了一种特殊的分子能够让人类告别感冒。他们对这种分子进行测试并发现它能阻挡引发感冒的病毒。这种分子能够阻止病毒在人体内运作。

The usual treatment for a common cold is to take medicines or remedies for the different symptoms. We might take one thing for a sore throat and another thing for a runny nose or a fever. Different viruses can cause different symptoms. The researchers believe the new molecule could stop all symptoms from developing. Lead researcher Ed Tate, from London's Imperial College, said it could help millions of people end their suffering. Most of us catch a cold several times a year. Dr Tate said it could also help people with more serious problems, saying: "The common cold is an inconvenience for most of us, but it can cause serious complications in people with conditions like asthma."

感冒的常规治疗是吃药或对不同症状进行治疗。我们也许吃一种治疗喉咙疼的药，再吃另一种治疗流鼻涕或发烧的药。不同病毒所产生的症状不同。研究人员认为这种新分子能够阻止所有症状的发展。来自伦敦帝国理工学院的首席研究员Ed Tate说道，这种新分子能够帮助数百万人终结感冒痛苦。多数人每年都会感冒几次。Tate 博士表示这种分子还能帮助人们应对其他更严重的问题，他说道：“对我们多数人而言，感冒是件麻烦事，但是感冒还会导致严重的并发症，比如哮喘。”