Unlocking Word Meanings
Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.
1. specialized (adj.) [spesh-uh-lahyzd] – developed for a specific objective
Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.
1. specialized (adj.) [spesh-uh-lahyzd] – developed for a specific objective
Example: The IT Company offers specialized tutorial software for
English learners.
2. replicate (v.) [rep-li-keyt] –to
copy or do something again in exactly the same way
Example: The research team was encouraged to replicate successful experiments done in
the previous years.
3. pave the way (idiom) [peyv thuh wey] – to help make a way for something to
happen
Example: Her extra effort at work will surely pave the way for her promotion this
year.
4. tolerance (n.) [tol-er-uhns] – the
ability to remain unaffected
Example: Boxers have a high tolerance for pain.
5. uncover (v.) [uhn-kuhv-er] - to discover
or reveal something hidden
Example: The team of archeologists uncovered a 3,000-year-old porcelain jar in West Africa.
Article
Read the text below.
Researchers from Keio University have
successfully made specialized stem
cells from the blood of people aged 110 or older in an effort to find genetic
causes of long life.
The
Keio team, led by Noboyushi Hirose and Shinsuke Yuasa, took blood samples from
13 men and women who are known to have “superlongevity” or who are aged 110
and older. The researchers then made Induced Pluripotent [ploo-rih-puh-tent] Stem (iPS) Cells from
four of the blood samples.
These
artificially made cells can later be used to grow body tissues or organs,
including muscles and nerves from which the team will further examine the
cells' capability to self-replicate,
the cells’ healing abilities, stress tolerance and speed of aging.
Studies suggest that compared to
ordinary persons, people with “superlongevity” do not suffer from as many
health problems, such as ‘hardening of the arteries’ and ‘cancer development’.
For this reason, it is possible that their cells are genetically stronger in
fighting sickness.
Hirose said that their research on
the genetic component of people with “superlongevity” may pave the way for new cancer and heart
disease medicines. He also thinks that the study will help uncover the genetic secrets to long
life.
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Viewpoint Discussion
Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.
Discussion A
·
What
should people do to live a long and healthy life?
·
Which
do you think helps a person live longer, good genes or a healthy lifestyle?
Why?
Discussion B
·
Would
you want to live more than 100 years? Why or why not?
·
What
do you think would happen if most people could live until the age of 110 or above?