【英语时差8,16】蜂蜜和蛀牙

 

   Honey from Brazilian honeybees might help prevent cavities? In this Moment of Science Don tells Yael about that possibility.   

D: Well, see you later, Yael. I'm on my way to Brazil.

 

Y: I didn't know you were going to Brazil, Don. What's the occasion?

 

D: Honeybees.

 

Y: Honeybees?

 

D: Honeybees make a substance called propolis that researchers have good reason to   believe will prevent plaque¹ from building up on our teeth, as well as possibly   preventing cavities. They've tested it on rats since they form cavities the same way   that humans do, and the results were that the cavity rate in these rats was cut by  about 60%. On top of that, the propolis nearly halted the activity of key enzymes² in  forming dental plaque.

 

Y: I thought you said all honeybees make propolis, so why do you need to go to Brazil?

 

D: Because not all propolis is alike. Honeybees make propolis by collecting the  secretions of trees and other plants where they live; thus the make-up of propolis  varies depending on the plant life around. Researchers have found the propolis of  Brazilian honeybees to be particularly potent⁴ when it comes to protecting teeth. Brazilian honeybee propolis contains two key compounds, one of which is the best  plaque inhibitor scientists have ever seen. It is especially effective in blocking the      plaque action of the most common pathogen in our mouths, Streptococcus mutans. It  also blocks a particular enzyme³ that no other compound is known to inhibit⁵. Even though it has not yet been proven to be effective in humans, propolis seems to be  pretty amazing stuff.

 

Y: So what are you going to do-get yourself stung to bits trying to get some of this stuff  to rub onto your teeth?

 

D: Not at all. I'm going to take a bee taming class while I'm there.  

1 plaque   

n.饰板，匾，(医)血小板

参考例句：

• There is a commemorative plaque to the artist in the village hall.村公所里有一块纪念该艺术家的牌匾。
• Some Latin words were engraved on the plaque. 牌匾上刻着些拉丁文。

2 enzymes   

n. 酶，酵素

参考例句：

• It was said that washing powders containing enzymes remove stains more efficiently. 据说加酶洗衣粉除污更有效。
• Among the enzymes which are particularly effective are pepsin, papain. 在酶当中特别有效的是胃朊酶、木瓜酶。

3 enzyme   

n.酵素，酶

参考例句：

• Above a certain temperature,the enzyme molecule will become unfolded.超过一定温度，酶分子将会展开。
• An enzyme that dissolves the fibrin of blood clots.能溶解血凝块中的纤维的酶。

4 potent   

adj.强有力的，有权势的；有效力的

参考例句：

• The medicine had a potent effect on your disease.这药物对你的病疗效很大。
• We must account of his potent influence.我们必须考虑他的强有力的影响。

5 inhibit   

vt.阻止，妨碍，抑制

参考例句：

• Don't let ego and greed inhibit clear thinking and hard work.不要让自我和贪婪妨碍清晰的思维和刻苦的工作。
• They passed a law to inhibit people from parking in the street.他们通过一项法令以阻止人们在街上停车。