20100513 Mosquitoes and Lasers (1)

Mosquitoes and Lasers

A new weapon could saue millions of liues

Malaria kills - especially children, taking at least one child every thirty seconds. However, scientists are hard at work developing laser technology to fight the terrible disease. The laser gun or Weapon of Mosquito Destruction (WMD) has the potential to stop malaria by destroying mosquitoes with one shot. In 2007, scientist Lowell Wood met with other scientists and suggested using old laser technology to destroy mosquitoes. The laser is modeled after a weapon developed to protect the U.S. from Soviet missiles in the 1980s. But the tec hnology was never used. Then in 2008, scientists used a laser to kill a different airborne threat - the mosquito.

How does the weapon work? With the help of a computer, a laser burst burns off the insect's wings, sending the bug to the ground. The machine is even able to distinguish between male and female mosquitoes based on the sound frequency of the wings. Currently, scientists are experimenting with the strength of the laser so that it will not harm other insects and creatures. If the scientists are successful, houses and villages could be surrounded by laser barriers. These barriers would kill mosquitores, stopping the spread of malaria.



de- 除去
destruction U. 破壞/消滅
eg: The destruction of rainforests causes severe environmental problems.
=> 雨林的破壞引起嚴重的環境問題
eg: The hurricane left widespread destruction throughout the coastal area.
=> 這個颶風在整個延海區域造成大範圍的破壞。

airborne adj. 在空中的/空氣傳播的
=> something is carried by the air/wind
eg: The device can eliminate airborne germs and hazardous bacteria.
=> 這個設備可能消滅空中傳播的微生物或是有害的細菌。
eg: Once the airplane is airborne, the flight attendants can start serving drinks and snacks.
=> 飛機升空之後，空服員就可以上飲料和點心了

barrier n. 柵欄/屏障
eg: The police set up barriers to stop the protesters from entering the Presidential Hall.
=> 警方設製柵欄禁止示威者進入總統府。
eg: The mountain acted as a natural barrier to protect the village.
=> 這座山彷彿是這個村莊的天然的屏障


malaria n. 瘧疾
Soviet n. 蘇聯人/蘇聯政府




//== Chat room ==//

The laser gun or Weapon of Mosquito Destruction (WMD) has the potential to stop malaria by destroying mosquitoes with one shot.

shot n. 發射/開槍

get a shot 打針/注射
get a flu shot 打流感預防針

get shot 中彈
eg: He got shot in the battle.

take shot 殺球/射門/投籃

Nice shot! 投得漂亮

//== Grammer on the Go ==//

...scientists are hard at work dev eloping laser technology to fight the terrible disease.
=> ...scientists are working hard to develop laser technology to fight the terrible disease.

hard at work
=> work hard


eg: Why are you watching TV? You should be hard at work instead.
eg: Researchers are hard at work looking for the cure.



//== More Information ==//

Mosquito Facts

Only female mosquitoes bite people, male mosquitoes feed on plant nectar. Mosquitoes are attracted to human breath. A female mosquito can lay 200 eggs at one time. These egg can survive for more than five years. Mosquitoes are drawn to dark clothing. When mosquitoes bite they release chemicals into your skin that make your skin itch.



nectar n. 花蜜