新奇事件簿 狗的鼻子为什么是凉的

Researchers believe they have solved one of science's greatest mysteries. They think they have found out why a dog's nose is cold. Scientists from universities in Sweden and Hungary have posited¹ that dogs' noses are constantly cold because they act as "ultra-sensitive heat detectors²". Canines³ can sense the temperature of something before they touch it. They added that dogs use their noses to detect tiny changes in temperature, such as when possible predators⁴ or prey⁵ are nearby. Humans generally only know something is hot after touching⁶ it, often with painful consequences. It was common belief that the only reason dogs' noses are cold is to control and regulate their own body temperature.

研究人相信他们已经解决了科学界最大的谜团之一。他们认为他们已经找到了狗鼻子是凉的原因。来自瑞典和匈牙利大学的科学家们推测，狗狗的鼻子之所以一直处于冰凉状态，是因为它们充当了“超灵敏的热探测器”。狗狗们在接触东西之前就能感觉到它的温度。他们补充称，狗狗们用自己的鼻子探测温度的细微变化，比如当附近可能有捕食者或猎物的时候。人类通常只在接触到热的东西后才知道它是热的，通常会带来痛苦的后果。人们曾普遍认为，狗鼻子是凉的的唯一原因是为了控制和调节自己的体温。

The researchers conducted experiments on sixteen dogs that had to detect the temperature of different objects in a room. The objects had different temperatures that humans could only differentiate⁷ by touching them. The scientists said that the brain activity in the dogs showed that they could discern which objects were warmer than others. Anna Balint, lead author of the study, said: "Dogs are able to sense the thermal⁸ radiation coming from warm bodies or weak thermal radiation, and they can change their behaviour according to this signal." Another scientist said scientists should now re-evaluate how predators hunt. Many may use heat-sensing abilities to track or sense their prey.

研究人员对16只狗狗进行了实验，让它们在一个房间内探测不同物体的温度。这些物体的温度都不同，而其中的差异，人类只能通过触摸来感知。科学家们表示，狗狗的脑部活动表明，它们能够辨别出哪些物体比其他物体更温暖。该研究的首席作者Anna Balint说到：“狗狗能感觉到来自温暖身体或微弱热辐射的热辐射，并且它们可以根据这一信号改变自己的行为。”另一名科学家表示，科学家们现在应该重新评估食肉动物是如何捕猎的。许多捕猎者可能使用热感测能力来跟踪或感知它们的猎物。

1 posited   

v.假定，设想，假设( posit的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• Several writers have posited the idea of a universal consciousness. 有几个作者都假设存在普遍意识。 来自辞典例句
• All cash receipts should be recorded and de-posited daily. 所有的现金收据应该被每日记录和存放。 来自互联网

2 detectors   

探测器( detector的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The report advocated that all buildings be fitted with smoke detectors. 报告主张所有的建筑物都应安装烟火探测器。
• This is heady wine for experimenters using these neutrino detectors. 对于使用中微子探测器的实验工作者，这是令人兴奋的美酒。 来自英汉非文学 - 科技

3 canines   

n.犬齿( canine的名词复数 )；犬牙；犬科动物

参考例句：

• For example, the teeth are more primitive. There are large canines and unusually shaped incisors. 譬如，牙齿更为原始，有大的犬齿和非常合适的门齿。 来自辞典例句
• Well-to-canines can attend doggy daycare centers while their owners work. 富人家的狗在主人上班的时候可以去狗狗托管中心。 来自互联网

4 predators   

n.食肉动物( predator的名词复数 )；奴役他人者（尤指在财务或性关系方面）

参考例句：

• birds and their earthbound predators 鸟和地面上捕食它们的动物
• The eyes of predators are highly sensitive to the slightest movement. 捕食性动物的眼睛能感觉到最细小的动静。 来自《简明英汉词典》

5 prey   

n.被掠食者，牺牲者，掠食；v.捕食，掠夺，折磨

参考例句：

• Stronger animals prey on weaker ones.弱肉强食。
• The lion was hunting for its prey.狮子在寻找猎物。

6 touching   

adj.动人的，使人感伤的

参考例句：

• It was a touching sight.这是一幅动人的景象。
• His letter was touching.他的信很感人。

7 differentiate   

vi.(between)区分；vt.区别；使不同

参考例句：

• You can differentiate between the houses by the shape of their chimneys.你可以凭借烟囱形状的不同来区分这两幢房子。
• He never learned to differentiate between good and evil.他从未学会分辨善恶。

8 thermal   

adj.热的，由热造成的；保暖的

参考例句：

• They will build another thermal power station.他们要另外建一座热能发电站。
• Volcanic activity has created thermal springs and boiling mud pools.火山活动产生了温泉和沸腾的泥浆池。