2006年VOA标准英语-US University Scientists Work on Bird Flu

By Barry Unger
Washington, DC
03 February 2006
 
watch Bird Flu Research report

There are two new, experimental vaccines² against bird flu that both make use of a cold virus and that both may work even if the bird flu virus mutates.

In a study published in a British medical journal (the Lancet) researchers in the U.S. used a human cold virus, or adenovirus that was changed so it could not make copies of itself, to produce a bird flu protein that seems to stimulate³ a more powerful immune response than normal flu vaccines. Both it and a vaccine¹ developed at the University of Pittsburgh can be produced more quickly than traditional vaccines as well, because they are not cultured in eggs. The Pittsburgh researchers used the cold virus and bird flu DNA⁴ to immunize mice and chickens.

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The deadly strain of the bird flu virus has killed over 80 people and led to the destruction of millions of fowl⁵ worldwide. The disease continues to spread.

There are several bird flu vaccines currently being developed, but researchers at the University of Pittsburgh have announced they have developed a vaccine that works on animals, and can be created quickly.

Swabing inside of mouth of bird   
  
Researchers used genes⁶ from the bird flu virus and combined them with the common cold virus to create the vaccine. They then injected the vaccine in chickens. The chickens were later infected with avian flu, but none of them got sick.

Dr. Andrea Gambotto, with the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine says the vaccine has tested 100 percent effective, "We have proven that this vaccine is 100% effective in both chickens and mice."

Their vaccine was genetically⁷ engineered and was manufactured in only 36 days, as opposed to current flu vaccines, which take months to develop. The only drawback is that this new technology will not be widely available for several years.

Scientists, Dr. Gregory Poland with the Mayo Clinic believe it's an important step forward in fighting pandemics. "You can see the context of, an emergency of a pandemic, the importance of being able to produce a vaccine in weeks versus⁸ months, the way we currently do it."

These potential vaccines hold promise for the future, according to Dr. Gary Nabel of the US National Institutes of Health.

"We're now moving forward with a lot of new approaches to flu. And the good news here is we've identified another one that appears to work."

The Pittsburgh researchers believe their vaccine will still be effective in protecting chickens even if the virus mutates.

1 vaccine   

n.牛痘苗，疫苗；adj.牛痘的，疫苗的

参考例句：

• The polio vaccine has saved millions of lives.脊髓灰质炎疫苗挽救了数以百万计的生命。
• She takes a vaccine against influenza every fall.她每年秋季接种流感疫苗。

2 vaccines   

疫苗，痘苗( vaccine的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• His team are at the forefront of scientific research into vaccines. 他的小组处于疫苗科研的最前沿。
• The vaccines were kept cool in refrigerators. 疫苗放在冰箱中冷藏。

3 stimulate   

vt.刺激，使兴奋；激励，使…振奋

参考例句：

• Your encouragement will stimulate me to further efforts.你的鼓励会激发我进一步努力。
• Success will stimulate the people for fresh efforts.成功能鼓舞人们去作新的努力。

4 DNA   

(缩)deoxyribonucleic acid 脱氧核糖核酸

参考例句：

• DNA is stored in the nucleus of a cell.脱氧核糖核酸储存于细胞的细胞核里。
• Gene mutations are alterations in the DNA code.基因突变是指DNA密码的改变。

5 fowl   

n.家禽，鸡，禽肉

参考例句：

• Fowl is not part of a traditional brunch.禽肉不是传统的早午餐的一部分。
• Since my heart attack,I've eaten more fish and fowl and less red meat.自从我患了心脏病后，我就多吃鱼肉和禽肉，少吃红色肉类。

6 genes   

n.基因( gene的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• You have good genes from your parents, so you should live a long time. 你从父母那儿获得优良的基因，所以能够活得很长。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Differences will help to reveal the functions of the genes. 它们间的差异将会帮助我们揭开基因多种功能。 来自英汉非文学 - 生命科学 - 生物技术的世纪

7 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

8 versus   

prep.以…为对手，对；与…相比之下

参考例句：

• The big match tonight is England versus Spain.今晚的大赛是英格兰对西班牙。
• The most exciting game was Harvard versus Yale.最富紧张刺激的球赛是哈佛队对耶鲁队。