科技动态:牛奶中的科学奥秘

Two years after a tainted¹ milk scandal that left six children dead and 300,000 sick, Chinese researchers have discovered natural "biomarkers" in cow's milk which they intend to use as a new standard for testing the quality of milk.

曾经导致6名儿童死亡，300,000名儿童生病的毒奶粉事件已经过去两年了，日前，中国科研人员研发了检测牛奶的新标准，他们发明了“生物标记法”。

We've found that there is a new group of molecules² in milk called microRNAs. There are special characteristics related to these microRANs in the milk, so in the end we selected seven microRNAs as boimarkers to test its quality in raw milk and for using quality control.

我们在牛奶中发现了一种名为microRNAs的分子。在牛奶中，microRNAs具有的独特特性使它成为了生物标记法的重要载体。科学家们选择了7种microRANs作为原料乳的生物标记和对比标记。

In the paper published in Cell Research on Tuesday June 15th, Chinese scientist discribed how they analyzed³ raw milk taken from a farm in eastern China and found that they contain naturally occurring molecules called microRNAs.

在6月15日周二发表的关于细胞研究的论文中，中国科学家们描述了他们是如何从华东地区的农场中选取原料乳，加以分析研究，并最终发现天然牛奶中携带的microRNAs分子。

They can be used to test the quality of milk made in different places, but these seven microRNAs are relatively⁴ stable as we examine milk from different origins in stages of production. Since it is stable throughout, we can use it as a measure in testing raw milk.

被标示的7种核糖核酸microRNAs将被用来检验不同地区牛奶的质量，而在检验过程中，这7种核糖核酸相对稳定。正是因为核糖核酸自始至终都很稳定的这一特质，它们才被用来检测原料乳。

At least 50,000 babies across China were hospitalized in 2008. Many of them with kidney stones after drinking poor quality milk tainted with melamine. The scandal sparked intense public fury, and as a result many Chinese families who can afford to now rely on imported formula for their children.

在2008年的毒奶粉事件中，有至少50,000名儿童住院接受治疗。喝了三聚氰胺超标的牛奶后，许多儿童都患上了肾结石。该事件引起了社会一片哗然。中国的家长们纷纷选择进口奶粉。

Theoretically, if the milk is deluded⁵ or other things are added to the milk, there's no way to restore the microRNAs to its original level, so as long as we test and confirm the level of microRNAs, we'll be able to tell original raw milk from milk that has other additives⁶.

理论上说，假牛奶或含有添加剂牛奶中的核糖核酸是不能再恢复到原本形态的，所以只要我们能检测出牛奶中的核糖核酸，我们就能判断这些原料乳是否含有添加剂。

Zhang said the seven molecules or biomarkers can be used to design test kits⁷ for sampling milk.

张先生表示，这7中核糖核酸，或者说是生物标记，是用来检测牛奶的生物试剂。

Jill Kitchener reports,Reuters.

Jill Kitchener，路透社消息。

1 tainted   

adj.腐坏的；污染的；沾污的；感染的v.使变质( taint的过去式和过去分词 )；使污染；败坏；被污染，腐坏，败坏

参考例句：

• The administration was tainted with scandal. 丑闻使得政府声名狼藉。
• He was considered tainted by association with the corrupt regime. 他因与腐败政府有牵连而名誉受损。 来自《简明英汉词典》

2 molecules   

分子( molecule的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The structure of molecules can be seen under an electron microscope. 分子的结构可在电子显微镜下观察到。
• Inside the reactor the large molecules are cracked into smaller molecules. 在反应堆里，大分子裂变为小分子。

3 analyzed   

v.分析( analyze的过去式和过去分词 )；分解；解释；对…进行心理分析

参考例句：

• The doctors analyzed the blood sample for anemia. 医生们分析了贫血的血样。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• The young man did not analyze the process of his captivation and enrapturement, for love to him was a mystery and could not be analyzed. 这年轻人没有分析自己蛊惑著迷的过程，因为对他来说，爱是个不可分析的迷。 来自《简明英汉词典》

4 relatively   

adv.比较...地，相对地

参考例句：

• The rabbit is a relatively recent introduction in Australia.兔子是相对较新引入澳大利亚的物种。
• The operation was relatively painless.手术相对来说不痛。

5 deluded   

v.欺骗，哄骗( delude的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• Don't be deluded into thinking that we are out of danger yet. 不要误以为我们已脱离危险。
• She deluded everyone into following her. 她骗得每个人都听信她的。 来自《简明英汉词典》

6 additives   

n.添加剂( additive的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• chemical additives in petrol 汽油中的化学添加剂
• It'says on the packet that these crisps contain no additives. 包装上说这些炸薯片不含添加剂。 来自《简明英汉词典》

7 kits   

衣物和装备( kit的名词复数 )； 成套用品； 配套元件

参考例句：

• Keep your kits closed and locked when not in use. 不用的话把你的装备都锁好放好。
• Gifts Articles, Toy and Games, Wooden Toys, Puzzles, Craft Kits. 采购产品礼品，玩具和游戏，木制的玩具，智力玩具，手艺装备。