VOA标准英语2010年-What does it Mean to be Human?

Multi-media website explores human evolution

Rosanne Skirble | Washington, DC 07 May 2010

'What's Hot in Human Origins' keeps you up-to-date on recent studies and research in the field.

The human origins website at www.humanorgins.si.edu poses the age-old question: What does it mean to be human?"

The purpose of the website is to explore the evidence says Smithsonian Institution Science and Education Program specialist Briana Pobiner. "That evidence is organized into behavioral evidence, fossil evidence, evidence for dating [and] evidence for a whole variety of things."

The website complements¹ the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History's Hall of Human Origins in Washington.

Pobiner says it expands on the museum's collection with information and multimedia² experiences. "You can almost reach out and touch and rotate the evidence for human evolution. There are hundreds of fossils, and there are dozens and dozens of artifacts and art objects that you can zoom³ in, rotate and take a close look at. It is almost like seeing them for yourself."

The Smithsonian's Human Origins Initiative website capitalizes on the popularity of 'CSI' and other forensics television shows with an interactive⁴ on fossil forensics.

Visitors can also take a virtual trip with a Smithsonian researcher to Kenya's Rift⁵ Valley, one of the richest sources of fossils in Africa. Teachers are invited to join an online education forum⁶ where they can exchange ideas about teaching human evolution and link to lesson plans about human evolution. 

In addition the Human Origins Program Education Network will use the site to bring scientists and educators together. Pobiner says "What's Hot in Human Origins" is already a popular feature. "Any time a story breaks about a new find, whether [it's about] fossils or artifacts or DNA⁷, we can feature it right there on our home page."

Where are you on the family tree? Trace your origins on the Smithsonian's human origins website.

Pobiner adds that the site is frequently updated with new content.  "In fact in the next couple of weeks we're going to add a really interactive time line, which has a variety of fossils, information about different species, information about climate change and a lot of milestones⁸ on human evolution. And you can zoom in on particular time periods and really explore."

 

1 complements   

补充( complement的名词复数 )； 补足语； 补充物； 补集（数）

参考例句：

• His business skill complements her flair for design. 他的经营技巧和她的设计才能相辅相成。
• The isoseismal maps are valuable complements to the instrumental records. 等震线图是仪器记录有价值的补充资料。

2 multimedia   

adj.多种手段的，多媒体的；n.多媒体

参考例句：

• Multimedia is the combination of computer and video technology.多媒体是计算机和视频技术的结合。
• Adam raised the issue of multimedia applications and much useful discussion ensued.亚当提出了多媒体应用的问题，从而引发了许多有益的讨论。

3 zoom   

n.急速上升；v.突然扩大，急速上升

参考例句：

• The airplane's zoom carried it above the clouds.飞机的陡直上升使它飞到云层之上。
• I live near an airport and the zoom of passing planes can be heard night and day.我住在一个飞机场附近，昼夜都能听到飞机飞过的嗡嗡声。

4 interactive   

adj.相互作用的，互相影响的，（电脑）交互的

参考例句：

• The psychotherapy is carried out in small interactive groups.这种心理治疗是在互动的小组之间进行的。
• This will make videogames more interactive than ever.这将使电子游戏的互动性更胜以往。

5 rift   

n.裂口，隙缝，切口；v.裂开，割开，渗入

参考例句：

• He was anxious to mend the rift between the two men.他急于弥合这两个人之间的裂痕。
• The sun appeared through a rift in the clouds.太阳从云层间隙中冒出来。

6 forum   

n.论坛，讨论会

参考例句：

• They're holding a forum on new ways of teaching history.他们正在举行历史教学讨论会。
• The organisation would provide a forum where problems could be discussed.这个组织将提供一个可以讨论问题的平台。

7 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。

8 milestones   

n.重要事件( milestone的名词复数 )；重要阶段；转折点；里程碑

参考例句：

• Several important milestones in foreign policy have been passed by this Congress and they can be chalked up as major accomplishments. 这次代表大会通过了对外政策中几起划时代的事件，并且它们可作为主要成就记录下来。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Dale: I really envy your milestones over the last few years, Don. 我真的很羡慕你在过去几年中所建立的丰功伟绩。 来自互联网