2007年VOA标准英语-Study Shows Restless Leg Syndrome Traced to Gen
时间：2019-01-11 作者：英语课 分类：2007年VOA标准英语（七月）
Washington
23 July 2007
It has been estimated that ten percent of people worldwide suffer from Restless Leg Syndrome 1. RLS is a neurological disorder 2 that makes it difficult to sit or lie still for long periods of time. The disorder often occurs in the evening and at night, so falling sleep or staying asleep is especially difficult for those who have it. VOA's Melinda Smith reports on results of two studies that trace the problem back to an inherited gene 3.
How many of us take for granted a good night's sleep? If you wake up often or do not sleep well during the night, there may be a genetic 4 reason why.
Lynn Kaiser
Lynn Kaiser says she has not slept soundly in more than a decade. "It's hard to keep a brave face all the time, especially when you don't sleep for so long." Lynn is one of millions of people who have Restless Leg Syndrome.
Dr. John Winkelman, medical director of a sleep health center in Boston, Massachusetts, describes common symptoms of those who have RLS. "Intense discomfort 5 and need to move the legs is most pronounced at night."
Two new studies in Iceland and the United States have confirmed that the condition is more than just in one's own mind. It is inherited through genetic variations. How those genes 6 influence the response in the brain is still uncertain.
Scientists also believe an iron deficiency affects the production of dopamine, a neurotransmitter in the central nervous system which controls movement and sensation.
The researchers say they believe the discovery of a genetic link will finally lead to effective treatment. That would be good news for people like Lynn Kaiser, who just want to get some rest: "My goal is to manage it, rather than it manage me."
- The Institute says that an unidentified virus is to blame for the syndrome. 该研究所表示,引起这种综合症的是一种尚未确认的病毒。
- Results indicated that 11 fetuses had Down syndrome. 结果表明有11个胎儿患有唐氏综合征。
- When returning back,he discovered the room to be in disorder.回家后，他发现屋子里乱七八糟。
- It contained a vast number of letters in great disorder.里面七零八落地装着许多信件。
- A single gene may have many effects.单一基因可能具有很多种效应。
- The targeting of gene therapy has been paid close attention.其中基因治疗的靶向性是值得密切关注的问题之一。
- It's very difficult to treat genetic diseases.遗传性疾病治疗起来很困难。
- Each daughter cell can receive a full complement of the genetic information.每个子细胞可以收到遗传信息的一个完全补偿物。
- One has to bear a little discomfort while travelling.旅行中总要忍受一点不便。
- She turned red with discomfort when the teacher spoke.老师讲话时她不好意思地红着脸。