专治胆小:英国科学家研制"勇气药"

    According to Daily Mail on June 24, Israeli researchers have pinpointed¹ a human brain region that keys in overcoming fear. The drug that activates² these brain cells could help people face their phobias, from spiders to heights and public speaking.
    Scientists looked at how the brain reacts to ophidiophobia - or fear of snakes. Volunteers had their brains scanned as they watched a live snake, and the bigger their fear of snakes, the greater the activity in the region.
    Scientists said the results shone a light on the basis of courage. They also point to the possibility of the new pill that gives courage. Using the pill to conceal³ the activity in the region and do some mind exercises, it might be possible to turn run-of-the-mill recruits into heroes.
    The work has caught the eye of the US military, who believe it could be used to create the perfect soldier. The Briton army also attaches great importance to it as an estimated 16million Briton soldiers suffer phobias.
    据英国《每日邮报》24日报道，以色列科学家在人的大脑中定位到一个区域，认为这里对克服恐惧感起重要作用。如果能够研发药物刺激这个区域的脑细胞，胆小如鼠者可能会变得胆大，不再害怕蜘蛛，不恐高，并敢于当众演讲。
    科学家们通过进行一项“恐蛇症”试验发现，一旦面对活蛇，志愿者大脑的某个区域受到惊吓时会变得兴奋，而且越害怕，那个区域就越兴奋。
    科学家表示，这个实验结果对研究人类勇气的来源有积极作用，且使“勇气药”面市变得可能。如果能够研制出药丸抑制该区域的兴奋并加以心理辅导，那么普通士兵也可能成为战斗英雄。
    这一最新发现立刻引起了美军的兴趣，军方认为，它有助于成就“完美士兵”。英国军队也对此十分重视。据保守估计，有1600万英军士兵患有恐惧症。

1 pinpointed   

准确地找出或描述( pinpoint的过去式和过去分词 )； 为…准确定位

参考例句：

• His refusal to help simply pinpointed his cowardice. 他拒绝帮助正显示他的胆小。
• Computers pinpointed where the shells were coming from. 计算机确定了炮弹发射的位置。

2 activates   

使活动，起动，触发( activate的第三人称单数 )

参考例句：

• Activates the window and displays it in its current size and position. 激活窗口，保持当前的大小及位置不变。
• Pulling out the alarm switch activates alarm and pushing it deactivates it. 闹钟的开和关是通过拔出和按入闹铃开关实现的。

3 conceal   

v.隐藏，隐瞒，隐蔽

参考例句：

• He had to conceal his identity to escape the police.为了躲避警方，他只好隐瞒身份。
• He could hardly conceal his joy at his departure.他几乎掩饰不住临行时的喜悦。