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StevenAllison_2020X-_地球的原始居民——以及它们在应对气候变化中扮演的角色_-
Microbes are everywhere. 微生物无处不在。
They live in the air, the ocean, the soil and on our bodies, lots of them. 它们生活在空气、海洋、土壤中, 我们的身体上也有很多。
But before you reach for the hand sanitizer , take a look at these beautiful bacterial mats in Yellowstone's Grand Prismatic Spring. 但在你伸手去拿洗手液之前, 看看这些美丽的微生物垫吧, 它们位于黄石国家公园大棱镜彩泉。
Microbes:n.细菌,[微]微生物;微生物类(microbe的复数形式); sanitizer:n.食品防腐剂;消毒杀菌剂(等于sanitiser); take a look at:看一看;检查; bacterial:adj.[微]细菌的; Prismatic:adj.棱柱的,棱镜的;五光十色的,光彩夺目的;
They're absolutely amazing because they've somehow figured out how to grow happily at near boiling temperatures. 这些微生物绝对令人称奇, 因为它们似乎知道 怎样在接近沸点的温度下快乐生长。
Ever since life on Earth began, probably in a place like this, microbes have kept planetary chemical cycles in balance. 自地球有生命以来, 可能就在这样的地方, 微生物就负责维持着 地球化学循环的平衡。
Today, humans are altering that balance and changing the climate by emitting greenhouse gases into the atmosphere . 如今,人类向大气中排放的温室气体 打破了这种平衡且造成了气候变化。
absolutely:adv.绝对地;完全地; somehow:adv.以某种方法;莫名其妙地; planetary:adj.行星的; chemical:n.化学制品,化学药品;adj.化学的; altering:n.变更;v.变更(alter的现在分词); emitting:v.发出,射出,散发(光、热、声音、气等);(emit的现在分词) greenhouse:n.温室;暖房; atmosphere:n.大气;气氛;气压;风格;
But microbes might be able to help us with our climate problem. 但微生物也许可以 帮助我们解决气候问题。
After all, microbes are Earth's original and most adaptable inhabitants . 毕竟,微生物是地球最原始、 适应性最强的居民。
Now, I know that not everyone is so enamored with microbes. 我知道不是每个人都对微生物如此着迷。
My biology students tell me that they usually think of " pathogen " 我的生物系学生告诉我, 当听到“微生物”一词时,
when they hear the word "microbe" 他们通常想到的是“病原体”,
original:n.原件;原作;原物;原型;adj.原始的;最初的;独创的;新颖的; adaptable:adj.适合的;能适应的;可修改的; inhabitants:n.居民(inhabitant的复数); enamored:adj.迷恋的;倾心的;v.迷住,使迷恋(enamor的过去分词形式); biology:n.(一个地区全部的)生物;生物学; pathogen:n.病原体;病菌;
and I know we're in the middle of a global viral pandemic . 我也知道我们正身处一场全球疫情。
But you should keep in mind that far less than one percent of microbial diversity is actually pathogenic to humans. 但你应牢记的是, 在微生物种类中会导致人类生病的 占比远远低于百分之一。
In fact, most of the microbes we encounter are beneficial . 实际上,我们接触到的多数 微生物都是有益的。
global:adj.全球的;总体的;球形的; viral:adj.滤过性毒菌引起的;滤过性毒菌的; pandemic:adj.(疾病等)全国流行的;普遍的;n.流行性疾病; keep in mind:记住; microbial:adj.微生物的;由细菌引起的; diversity:n.差异(性):多样性:多样化: pathogenic:adj.致病的;病原的;发病的(等于pathogenetic); encounter:v.遭遇,邂逅;遇到;n.遭遇,偶然碰见; beneficial:adj.有益的,有利的;可享利益的;
There are trillions of bacteria, fungi and viruses living in and on us right now, more of them than human cells in the body. 数万亿的细菌、真菌和病毒, 现在就生活在我们的体内和体表, 比我们体内的人体细胞还要多。
They help us digest our food, protect us from disease and maybe even choose our mates . 它们助我们消化食物, 保护我们免受疾病侵扰, 甚至还可能助我们选择伴侣。
Microbiologists call this assemblage of tiny interlopers the human microbiome. 微生物学家称这群 微小的入侵者为人体微生物。
trillions:n.[数]万亿;adj.万亿的;num.[数]万亿; fungi:n.真菌;菌类;蘑菇(fungus的复数); digest:n.摘要;文摘;概要;汇编;v.消化;领会;领悟;理解; disease:n.病,[医]疾病;弊病;vt.传染;使…有病; mates:n.朋友; v.交配; Microbiologists:n.微生物学家; assemblage:n.装配;集合;聚集;集会;集合物;聚集的物或人; interlopers:n.闯入者;(为私利)干涉他人事务者;无执照营业者;
We now know that there are microbiomes in basically every environment. 现在我们知道微生物 几乎无处不在。
In the same way that they help our human bodies stay healthy, microbiomes in water, soil and air are critical for planetary health. 同帮助人类身体保持健康一样, 水、土壤和空气中的微生物 对地球健康也至关重要。
For example, cyanobacteria in the ocean carry out photosynthesis and provide a large fraction of the planet's breathable oxygen. 比如,海洋中的蓝藻菌进行光合作用, 并为地球提供了 很大比例的可呼吸氧气。
microbiomes:微生物基因组;微生物聚落基因组;热泉微生物组 basically:adv.主要地,基本上; critical:adj.鉴定的;[核]临界的;批评的,爱挑剔的;危险的;决定性的;评论的; cyanobacteria:n.蓝藻细菌; photosynthesis:n.光合作用; fraction:n.分数;小部分;小数;少量; breathable:adj.可以吸入的,可以呼吸的;
Even though they're tiny, their green color can be seen from outer space with satellites. 尽管体积很小, 它们绿色的外观还是可以 通过卫星在外太空观察到。
They may be harder to see, but microbiomes in the soil are just as important as the human or ocean microbiome. 土壤中的微生物 可能更难被发现, 却同人体或海洋中的微生物一样重要。
I think about soil as a skin for the planet that provides nutrients to sustain crops and other plants. 我认为土壤是地球的皮肤, 它为农作物和其他植物 提供生长的养分。
outer:adj.外面的,外部的;远离中心的;n.环外命中; nutrients:营养盐;[食品]营养素; sustain:v.支持;支撑;遭受;证实;
As an ecologist and climate scientist, 作为一名生态学家及气候科学家,
I've been studying the microbes that live in soil for 20 years now. 我研究土壤中的微生物 至今已有 20 年。
Just like we've seen with the human microbiome, cutting-edge techniques in molecular biology, especially DNA sequencing , show that soil microbiomes are extremely diverse in their genes and life cycles. 就如我们观察人体微生物组时用到的 分子生物学的前沿技术, 尤其是 DNA 测序, 这些技术也表明土壤中的微生物 有非常多种类的基因和生命周期。
ecologist:n.生态学者; cutting-edge:n.(刀片的)刃口;尖端;前沿;adj.先进的,尖端的; techniques:n.技巧;技艺;工艺;技术;(technique的复数) molecular:adj.[化学]分子的;由分子组成的; especially:adv.尤其;特别;格外;十分; sequencing:n.[计]排序; v.[计]定序(sequence的ing形式); extremely:adv.非常,极其;极端地; diverse:adj.不同的;多种多样的;变化多的; genes:n.基因;(gene的复数)
Scientists are starting to figure out how we can harness the diversity of these often invisible organisms to solve global problems like climate change and food insecurity . 科学家开始想办法研究 我们怎样能利用好 这些通常不可见生物体的多样性 以解决全球性问题, 如气候变化和粮食不足。
Take agricultural crops, for example. 以农作物为例,
With climate change causing more frequent heat waves and droughts , crop plants may become stressed, reducing yields and threatening food security. 随着气候变化引发 更频繁的热浪和干旱, 农作物会受到威胁, 因此粮食产量和安全 都会受到不良影响。
harness:vt.治理; n.马具; invisible:adj.看不见的;n.看不见的人或物; organisms:n.[生物]生物体(organism的复数);[生物]有机体; insecurity:n.不安全;不牢靠;无把握;心神不定; agricultural:adj.农业的;农艺的; frequent:adj.频繁的;经常发生的;v.常到(某处); droughts:n.[气候]干旱(drought的复数);旱灾灾情; yields:n.生产量,投资效益(yield的复数形式); v.[经]生产;
But microbes can help. 但微生物可以帮上忙。
There are symbiotic fungi called mycorrhiza that grow out from plant roots and into the soil where they collect water and nutrients. 有一种称作丛枝菌根的共生真菌, 从植物根部长出又扎根于土壤, 真菌就从土壤中获取水分和养分,
Then the plant and its symbiotic fungus make a trade. 接着植物和其共生真菌会做笔 “交易”。
The fungus sends water and nutrients into the plant roots and the plant pays back the fungus with sugars from photosynthesis. 真菌将水和养分输送进植物根部, 植物就报以光合作用得到的糖分。
symbiotic:adj.[生态]共生的;共栖的; mycorrhiza:n.菌根; fungus:n.真菌,霉菌;菌类;
To reduce stress on plants from climate change, farmers can inoculate the soil with these beneficial fungi. 为减轻气候变化对植物造成的压力, 农民可以向土壤接种这些有益真菌。
Land managers are also starting to use the same approach to help native plants recolonize degraded soil during habitat restoration . 土地管理者也开始使用相同的方法, 在生境恢复期,帮助原生植物 在退化土壤中重新扎根。
So the next time you support an environmental cause, maybe through a nonprofit donation or volunteer work, remember, soil microbes need conservation too. 所以下次你或许 通过非盈利组织捐赠 或是志愿工作来支持环保事业时, 请记住,土壤微生物也需要保护。
inoculate:vt.[医]接种;嫁接;灌输; approach:n.方法;路径;v.接近;建议;着手处理; native:adj.本国的;土著的;天然的;与生俱来的;天赋的;n.本地人;土产;当地居民; recolonize:vt.再度移民到…;开拓殖民地; degraded:adj.退化的; v.分解; (degrade的过去分词和过去式) habitat:n.[生态]栖息地,产地; restoration:n.恢复;复位;王政复辟;归还; nonprofit:adj.非赢利的;不以赢利为目的的; donation:n.捐赠;捐赠物;赠送; volunteer:n.志愿者;志愿兵;adj.志愿的;v.自愿; conservation:n.保存,保持;保护;
The planet also relies on soil microbiomes for other essential services. 地球也依赖土壤微生物 来提供的其他生命基本的保障。
Have you ever thought about what happens to living things like these leaves, mosses and mushrooms when they die? 你是否想过像叶子、苔藓和蘑菇 这样的生物死后会发生什么？
I'm not talking about an existential crisis . 我不是在谈论生存危机,
I'm talking about microbial decomposition . 我所说的是微生物分解。
relies:信任; essential:n.要点;要素;实质;必需品;adj.完全必要的;必不可少的;极其重要的;本质的; mosses:n.[植]苔藓,藓类;[植]苔藓植物(moss的复数); existential:adj.存在主义的;有关存在的;存在判断的; crisis:n.危机;危险期;决定性时刻;adj.危机的;用于处理危机的; decomposition:n.分解,腐烂;变质;
Think about it like a type of biological recycling practiced by very diligent microbes. 你可以把它想成 一种由非常勤劳的微生物 进行的生物循环。
They take dead bodies and turn them into useful nutrients. 它们将遗体转化为有用的营养物质。
Without this essential service, life on Earth would grind to a halt because dead stuff would pile up, depriving the next generation of life forms of the raw materials needed for growth. 没有这项基本服务, 地球上的生命就会渐渐消亡, 因为堆积的遗体 会剥夺下一代生命体 生长所需要的原材料。
biological:adj.生物学的;生物的;与生命过程有关的;加酶的;n.[药]生物制品; recycling:n.(资源,垃圾的)回收利用;v.回收;再循环利用(recycle的现在分词); diligent:adj.勤勉的;用功的,费尽心血的; grind to a halt:慢慢停止; stuff:n.东西:物品:基本特征:v.填满:装满:标本: pile:n.桩;堆;摞;桩柱;v.堆放;摞起;叠放;放置; depriving:v.剥夺;使丧失;使不能享有;(deprive的现在分词)
Hundreds of researchers funded by the US Department of Energy are even trying to figure out how to co-opt microbial decomposition to produce sustainable biofuels from wood, grasses and other plant materials. 数百名由美国能源部资助的研究者, 甚至正尝试研究怎样利用微生物分解 以从木材、草和其他植物材料中 生产出可持续生物燃料。
Fuels derived from plants and microbes are part of the climate solution because they don't rely on fossil carbon sources like coal and oil. 从植物和微生物获取的燃料 是解决气候变化的一个办法, 因为它们不依赖于化石碳源, 如煤炭和石油。
At the same time , ecologists like me are very concerned about how climate change might affect microbial recycling in the environment. 同时,像我这样的生物学家非常担忧 气候变化会对环境中的微生物循环 产生怎样的影响。
funded:adj.提供资金的;v.提供资金;积存;提供资金偿付的本息;(fund的过去式); co-opt:vt.由现会员选举;指派; sustainable:adj.可以忍受的;足可支撑的;养得起的;可持续的; biofuels:n.[能源]生物燃料;生质燃料;生质能源(biofuel的复数形式); derived:adj.导出的;衍生的,派生的;v.得到;推断(derive的过去分词);由…而来; solution:n.解决方案;溶液;溶解;解答; rely:vi.依靠;信赖; fossil:n.化石;老人;老古董;adj.从地下发掘出来的;化石的;属于旧时代的;陈腐的; carbon:n.[化学]碳;碳棒;复写纸;adj.碳的;碳处理的; sources:n.来源;出处;起源;根源;原因;v.(从…)获得(source的第三人称单数和复数) At the same time:同时;另一方面;与此同时; ecologists:n.生态学家(ecologist的复数); concerned:adj.有关的;关心的;v.关心;与…有关;(concern的过去时和过去分词)
A warming climate might speed up the process and release more greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. 气候变暖会加快这个过程, 并向大气中释放更多温室气体。
A drier climate might slow down the microbes and leave plants starved for essential nutrients. 气候变干会延缓微生物的速度, 并使植物缺乏必要的养分。
Fortunately , there is reason for hope. 幸运的是,还有希望。
Microbes are super adaptable because they can evolve very quickly. 由于可以迅速演化, 微生物适应性极强。
process:v.处理;加工;列队行进;n.过程,进行;方法,adj.经过特殊加工(或处理)的; release:v.释放;发射;让与;允许发表;n.释放;发布;让与; Fortunately:adv.幸运地; evolve:v.(使)逐渐形成;进化;进化形成;
For example, you may have heard of pathogenic bacteria like staph evolving antibiotic resistance . 例如,你可能听说过 像葡萄球菌这样的病原菌 演化出抗生素耐药性。
Of course, that's bad for us. 当然,这对我们是不利的。
But the same evolutionary process could also help microbes adapt to climate change, which is good. 但同样的演化过程 也可以帮助微生物 适应气候变化,这是好事。
After all, microbes evolved long ago to survive extreme conditions like the hot springs of Yellowstone. 毕竟,微生物在很久以前 就通过演化适应了极端环境, 例如黄石公园的温泉。
staph:n.葡萄球菌(staphylococcus); evolving:v.(使)逐渐形成,逐渐演变;进化形成;(evolve的现在分词) antibiotic:adj.抗生的;抗菌的;n.抗生素,抗菌素; resistance:n.电阻;抵抗;阻力;抗力; evolutionary:adj.进化的;发展的;渐进的; evolved:v.(使)逐渐形成;进化;进化形成;(evolve的过去分词和过去式)
Just like our human cells, each microbial cell contains a genome . 就像人体细胞一样, 每个微生物细胞都有一个染色体组。
And just like our genomes , microbial genomes contain genes or DNA sequences with instructions for growth and survival . 并且和我们的染色体组一样, 微生物染色体组包含着 基因或 DNA 序列 它们携带着生长和生存所需的指令。
My colleagues and I have identified genes that allow bacteria and fungi to survive drought and decompose dead plant material. 我和我的同事已经识别出了 使细菌和真菌得以在干旱中生存 以及分解植物遗体物质的基因。
genome:n.基因组;染色体组; genomes:n.[遗]基因组(genome复数); sequences:n.[数][计]序列,顺序;继起的事(sequence的复数形式); survival:n.幸存,残存;幸存者,残存物; colleagues:n.同事;同行(colleague的复数); identified:v.确认;认出;找到;发现;说明身份;(identify的过去式和过去分词) decompose:v.腐烂;(使)分解;
We're currently doing experiments to see how fast these genes evolve and what kinds of genetic changes make bacteria and fungi more resistant to drought. 我们正在做实验研究基因演化的速度 以及什么种类的遗传变化 使得细菌和真菌更耐旱。
Some of our prior research shows that microbes have the potential to deal with climate change. 我们之前的一些研究 表明微生物有着 应对气候变化的潜力。
Microbiomes and the services they provide could cope not just by evolving, but also by shifting around the dominant species of microbes. 微生物和它们提供的保障 既可以通过演化来应对, 也能通过改变微生物的优势种。
currently:adv.当前;一般地; genetic:adj.基因的;遗传学的; resistant:adj.抵抗的,反抗的;顽固的;n.抵抗者; prior:adj.先前的; n.(小隐修院)院长; v.居先; potential:n.潜能;可能性;[电]电势;adj.潜在的;可能的;势的; cope:v.处理;n.大圆衣; shifting:adj.不断移动的;流动的;v.转移;赶快;快速移动;变换;(shift的现在分词) dominant:adj.显性的;占优势的;支配的,统治的;n.显性; species:n.[生物]物种;种类;
Microbiomes are so diverse that even if some of the species die out with climate change, others might survive and take their place, allowing nature's recycling to continue. 微生物的种类如此之多, 以至于即使一些种类 随着气候变化而灭绝, 其余微生物种也可能幸存并取而代之, 使大自然的循环得以继续。
To test this idea, my colleagues and I designed special cages to contain microbiomes from different habitats in Southern California. 为了验证这个观点, 我和我的同事设计了 容纳微生物的特殊器皿, 这些微生物来自于 加州南部不同的微生境。
We sampled microbiomes from places ranging from forested mountaintops to hot deserts. 我们从一些地方 采集了微生物组样本, 从植被茂盛的山顶 到炎热的沙漠,
Each cage contained a microbiome from one of these places along with sterilized dead grass for the microbes to use as a food source. 每个器皿均盛有 来自其中一地的微生物组 以及无菌枯草作为其食物来源。
habitats:n.[生态]栖息地;(动植物的)[经]产地(habitat的复数形式); mountaintops:n.山顶;(mountaintop的复数) sterilized:v.灭菌;消毒;使绝育;(sterilize的过去分词和过去式)
We then put the cages back into the different habitats so that the microbiomes experienced pretty dramatic changes in climate. 接着我们将器皿放回不同的微生境, 以使微生物组经历气候条件的巨变。
We expected that the microbes from the cooler places would die out when we moved them to the warm places like the hot desert, and that they would lose their ability to consume and recycle the nutrients in the dead grass material. 我们本预期来自更冷地带的微生物 会在我们将其移至 如炎热沙漠的高温地带时消亡, 并且会失去它们 分解并循环利用枯草中 营养物质的能力。
dramatic:adj.突然的;巨大的;令人吃惊的;激动人心的; consume:v.消耗;吃;毁灭;烧毁; recycle:v.回收利用;再利用;
But when we looked at the results, 但当我们看到结果时,
I was really shocked. 我真的太震惊了。
The microbiomes were almost unfazed by this massive climate difference. 微生物组几乎没有受到 巨大气候差异的影响。
There were some changes in the dominant species, but mountaintop microbes decomposed dead grass just as well as desert microbiomes in the hot, dry climate. 尽管优势种产生了一些变化, 山顶微生物还是能和沙漠微生物一样 在炎热干燥的气候里分解枯草。
This result tells us the microbiomes have the ability to evolve and shift to deal with really dramatic climate changes. 这个结果告诉我们, 微生物有能力演化 并转变以应对真正巨大的气候变化。
unfazed:adj.未受干扰;不觉担忧; massive:adj.大量的;巨大的,厚重的;魁伟的; decomposed:adj.已腐烂的,已分解的; as well as:也;和…一样;不但…而且;
Another way that soil microbiomes can be part of the climate change solution is by building healthy soil. 土壤微生物也可作为 解决气候变化的办法, 其另一途径是打造健康的土壤。
Many soil bacteria and fungi ooze out sticky chemicals to glue themselves onto soil surfaces. 许多土壤细菌和真菌产生粘性物质 以将自己粘在土壤表面。
The glue and the microbes form these biofilms that hold soil particles together. 粘性物质和微生物 形成了将土壤颗粒聚合的生物膜。
This helps the soil resist erosion and hold more water that's available for plants. 生物膜有助于土壤抗侵蚀, 并为植物留住更多的水分。
ooze:vt.渗出;泄漏;vi.渗出;泄漏;n.[地质]软泥; sticky:adj.粘的;粘性的; chemicals:n.化学制品;化学品;(chemical的复数) glue:n.胶;胶水;v.粘贴; biofilms:n.生物薄膜;(biofilm的复数) particles:n.微粒,粒子;粒子系统;碎木料(particle的复数形式); erosion:n.侵蚀,腐蚀;
Microbes and their biofilms also play a big role in soil carbon sequestration . 微生物和它们的生物膜 也在土壤固碳中扮演着重要角色。
Many forms of carbon from plants, like sugars, don't last long in the soil because they're food for many organisms, including the microbes. 来自植物的许多形式的碳, 例如糖类,在土壤中无法长存, 因为它们是许多生物体的食物, 包括微生物。
But microbodies and biofilms are made up of complex chemicals. 但是微体和生物膜 是由复杂化学物质组成的。
sequestration:n.隔离;扣押;退隐; last long:adj.持久;持续很久;持续很长时间;持续长时间; made up of:由…组成,由…构成; complex:adj.复杂的;合成的;n.复合体;综合设施;
For example, many microbes build cell walls for protection, so the wall material has to be resistant to biochemical attack. 例如,许多微生物建细胞壁 是为了保护自己, 所以细胞壁物质就必须 能够抵抗生化攻击。
When the microbes die, their corpses , especially those cell walls, can stick around for a really long time, maybe even thousands of years. 当微生物死亡时,它们的遗体, 尤其是这些细胞壁, 能够留存很长一段时间, 甚至可能几千年。
In this way, soil acts a lot like a bank vault for carbon. 这样一来,土壤所起到的作用 就很像一个储碳的银行金库。
biochemical:adj.生物化学的; corpses:n.尸体(corpse的复数形式); stick around for:留恋; vault:n.金库,保险库;地下墓室;墓穴;拱顶;v.跳跃,腾跃;
More carbon in the bank means healthier soil and less greenhouse gas buildup in the atmosphere. 银行中的碳越多就意味着更健康的土壤, 以及大气中积累的温室气体会更少。
Microbes are sort of like the Federal Reserve . 微生物有点像美联储。
They can take cash off the street in the form of these plant sugars and lock it away in a chemical vault for long-term storage. 它们能将行道树的 “现金” - 也就是糖分取走, 并将其锁在化学 “金库” 里以长期储存。
greenhouse gas:n.温室气体(尤指二氧化碳); buildup:n.增强;发展;形成;组合;树立名誉; Federal:adj.联邦的;同盟的;联邦政府的;联邦制的;adv.联邦政府地; Reserve:n.储备,储存; vt.储备; vi.预订; long-term:adj.长期的;从长远来看;
With the science of climate change becoming more and more obvious every day, we need to figure out how to adapt, for sure. 随着气候变化带来的影响日益显着, 我们就当然需要明白怎样去适应。
Some scary outcomes , like emerging microbial diseases , are definitely something we need to plan for. 一些可怕的后果, 例如新的微生物疾病, 我们绝对是需要做好准备的。
But microbes can be a part of the climate solution if we figure out how to leverage all that microbiome diversity. 但如果我们弄清楚如何 利用这些微生物的多样性, 微生物或许可以成为 解决气候变化的一种办法。
obvious:adj.明显的;显著的;平淡无奇的; outcomes:n.结果;成果;后果;出路;(outcome的复数) emerging:adj.新兴的;v.出现,浮现,露出;暴露;(emerge的现在分词) diseases:n.[医]病(disease的复数);[医]疾病;[植保]病害;疾病种类; definitely:adv.清楚地,当然;明确地,肯定地; leverage:n.影响力;杠杆作用;杠杆效力;v.举债经营;借贷收购;
To be honest, though, making sense out of complex microbiomes is still a big scientific challenge. 说实话,尽管弄明白复杂的微生物组 依旧是一项巨大的科学挑战。
Their complexity is both a blessing and a curse . 它们的复杂性既是福也是祸。
We're only beginning to understand all the strange and wonderful microbial lifestyles that have been evolving since the origins of life on Earth. 我们才刚刚开始理解 微生物那些自地球生命起源以来 就演化着的奇怪又绝妙的生活方式。
scientific:adj.科学的,系统的; complexity:n.复杂性;难以理解的局势 curse:n.诅咒;咒骂;v.诅咒;咒骂; lifestyles:n.生活方式(lifestyle的复数); origins:n.起源; (origin的复数)
This digital artwork called "Microbes Reimagined " 这个数字艺术作品名为“微生物重想” (Microbes Reimagined)
does a great job of capturing that sense of mystery. 在捕捉神秘感上把握得非常好。
But one thing we do know for sure is that microbes are not just pathogens . 但有一件事我们可以确定 就是微生物不等于病原菌。
Our lives literally depend on them. 我们的生命确确实实依靠着它们。
digital:adj.数字的;手指的;n.数字;键; Reimagined:重新想象;再回味(reimagine的过去分词) capturing:v.俘虏;捕获;攻占;夺得;(capture的现在分词) pathogens:n.[基医]病原体;病原菌;[基医]致病菌; literally:adv.按字面:字面上:确实地:
So next time you take a breath outside, imagine all those oxygen-spewing cyanobacteria floating around in the ocean, and when the time comes and you draw in that last and final breath, 所以下次你在户外呼吸的时候, 想象一下那些吐着氧气 在海洋中漂浮的蓝藻菌吧, 而当人生最后的时刻来临, 你吸入最后一口空气,
take comfort in knowing that soil microbes will be there to turn your body into useful nutrients. 欣慰地感知到土壤微生物会 将你的身体化为有用的养分。
Even as we enjoy these benefits of microbiomes, climate change remains a potentially existential threat to our well-being . 尽管我们享受着微生物带来的益处, 气候变化还是对我们的福祉 构成了潜在的生存威胁。
But dangerous climate change is not inevitable , at least not yet. 但危险的气候变化并非无法避免, 至少现在还不是。
With the right cutting-edge research, diverse microbiomes could become a big part of the solution to our climate problem. 有了针对性的前沿研究, 种类多样的微生物 就能成为解决气候问题的 重要办法。
potentially:adv.可能地,潜在地; well-being:n.幸福;康乐; inevitable:adj.必然的,不可避免的;
Thank you. 感谢观看。