Firefighters might face an increased risk of developing “glioma,” a type of brain cancer, due to certain chemicals encountered on the job. A recent study analyzed glioma cases and found clear connections between the genetic patterns of affected firefighters and their exposure to these harmful substances.
The study found that firefighters exhibited significantly higher levels of specific mutational signatures in their glioma cells compared to individuals in other occupations. These signatures — unique patterns of genetic changes in DNA — help scientists trace the source of mutations. Earlier research has associated these mutations with certain chemicals found in fire extinguishers. Similar results from this new study were observed in other professions frequently handling these substances, including painters and shipyard workers. Experts are calling for stricter regulations to protect those working in high-risk jobs.
消防員因在工作中接觸某些化學物質，而可能增加罹患神經膠質瘤（一種腦癌）的風險。最近的一項研究分析了神經膠質瘤病例，發現患有神經膠質瘤的消防員基因模式與他們接觸的這些有害物質之間有明顯的關連。
Photo: AdobeStock I 照片：AdobeStock
該項研究發現，與其他職業的人相比，消防員的神經膠質瘤細胞中表現出的特定突變特徵要明顯許多。這些特徵（DNA中基因變化的獨特模式）可幫助科學家追蹤突變的來源。早期研究已指出這些突變與滅火器中含有的某些化學物質有關。這項新研究也在其他經常接觸這些物質的職業中（包括油漆工人和造船廠工人）觀察到了類似的結果。專家呼籲制定更嚴格的法規來保護從事高風險工作的人。
What Did You Learn?
Photo: AdobeStock I 照片：AdobeStock
How does identifying specific mutational signatures help researchers?
參考答案:
It helps them trace the source of mutations.
Word in Use
1. encounter vt. 遇到
Software developers constantly encounter bugs in their code that need fixing.
軟體開發人員經常會遇到程式碼中需要修復的錯誤。
2. analyze vt. 分析
The scientists analyzed the data to find patterns in the results.
科學家們分析了數據，以找出結果呈現的規律。
3. genetic a. 基因的，遺傳（學）的
Some traits, like eye color, are determined by genetic factors.
有些特徵（例如眼睛的顏色）是由遺傳因素決定的。
4. exposure n. 接觸，暴露（其後與介詞 to 並用）
The equipment is sensitive to exposure to extreme temperatures.
這項設備對暴露在極端溫度下很敏感。
5. significantly adv. 顯著地
Helen’s grades improved significantly after she started studying every day.
海倫開始每天學習後，她的成績有了顯著的提升。
Practical Phrases
1. compared to sb/sth 和某人∕某物比起來
Brian has quite a high salary compared to others in the same position.
與同職位的其他人相比，布萊恩的薪水相當高。
2. associate A with B 使 A 和 B 有關聯
The study associates higher education levels with higher earning potential.
這項研究指出，教育程度與收入潛力呈現正相關。
3. call for. . . 呼籲∕要求……
The protesters called for changes in government policies.
抗議者呼籲政府改變政策。
聽文章朗讀及講解: https://ivy.pse.is/455bfu
本文出自常春藤解析英語雜誌: www.ivy.com.tw
China commemorated 80 years since the end of World War II last week with a massive military parade against a backdrop of a disputed history about who ultimately defeated Japan. The issues, including Japan’s reckoning with its wartime record in China, are bound to flare again in December, a flashpoint anniversary of the mass killing in Nanjing by invading Japanese troops. Below is an explainer about what the different — and disputed — points of view are. WHAT IS CHINA’S VIEW? For the Chinese government sitting in Beijing, this is a clear-cut issue: China sacrificed 35 million people in a heroic and brutal struggle
Rarely does Nature present such a striking contradiction as the one found in Lencois Maranhenses National Park. Located along Brazil’s northeastern coast, the park unveils breathtaking scenery, where rippling sands meet crystal-clear lagoons. Under the sun’s golden glow, the waters glitter in shades of turquoise and emerald. So surreal is this spectacle that visitors might wonder if they’re gazing at a digitally modified photo rather than a living landscape. Were it not for the unique geographical and climatic conditions, such a marvel would not exist. Unlike typical deserts, Lencois Maranhenses receives a substantial amount of rainfall, particularly during the rainy season
A: Wow, animated fantasy film “KPop Demon Hunters” (KDH) has become Netflix’s most viewed film ever. B: Isn’t that the movie about a K-pop girl group secretly serving as demon hunters? A: Yeah, and its theme song “Golden” was No. 1 on the Billboard chart. B: The hit performed by HUNTR/X — the girl group from KDH — has inspired a “Golden challenge,” as celebrities are racing to cover its sky-high notes. A: Cool, let’s try it out. A: 哇，動畫電影《KPop獵魔女團》近日已成為網飛上觀看次數最多的電影。 B: 這部電影不是關於某韓流女團，成員秘密擔任惡魔獵人的故事？ A: 對，主題曲《Golden》更勇奪告示牌單曲榜冠軍呢！ B: 該曲由電影中的女團「HUNTR/X」所演唱，甚至還掀起一股全球《Golden》大挑戰︰一堆名人挑戰翻唱該曲飆高音。 A: 酷喔我們也來挑戰吧。（By Eddy Chang, Taipei Times／台北時報張迪）
A: Apart from megahit “KPop Demon Hunters,” what else is worth watching? B: The new shows featuring four top-tier actors – Xiao Zhan, Wang Yibo, Yang Yang and Li Xian — are all popular. A: Yang’s TV drama, “The Immortal Ascension,” is definitely one of the summer sizzlers. Some praise it as the Eastern edition of the glorious “Harry Potter” series. B: Yeah, the costume fantasy drama is about a young man’s journey to immortality. All the magic powers and magical tools in the show are just stunning. A: Let me go stream it now. I wanna
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