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 The team analysed clippings from 28 Christmas trees including needles and bark, from a range of species, and found 53 cases of mould. |
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Christmas trees could be to blame for a range of health complaints over the festive season, according to new research. Don't be too quick to judge those who feel under the weather over the festive period – rather than seasonal overindulgence, it could be their Christmas tree making them ill. The traditional centrepiece decoration has been blamed for triggering a range of health complaints, from wheezing and coughing to lethargy and insomnia. The condition – "Christmas Tree Syndrome" – is caused by mould growing on the trees, whose spores lead to problems when breathed in. It has been discovered by scientists from Upstate Medical University, part of the State University of New York, who carried out research after observing a peak in respiratory illnesses in the weeks either side of December 25. The team analysed clippings from 28 Christmas trees including needles and bark, from a range of species, and found 53 cases of mould. Of these, 70 percent can cause symptoms including itchy noses, watery eyes, coughing, shortness of breath, chest pains, sinus congestion, feelings of fatigue and problems sleeping. Some of the mould identified can even lead to long term lung problems and conditions such as bronchitis and pneumonia. The mould occurs on the trees naturally, but thrives in the warm conditions of a well-heated home at Christmas. The team, writing in the Annals of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, also reported another study which found that after a Christmas tree has been on display for a fortnight, the number of airborne mould spores increases from 800 per 35 cubic feet to 5,000. Dr Lawrence Kurlandsky, who led the research, said he had treated patients where there was a clear link between their illness and their Christmas tree. For those not wishing to opt for this extreme option, Dr Kurlandsky has two other pieces of advice for those wishing to avoid falling victim to Christmas Tree Syndrome. Firstly, hose down your tree in the garden and leave it to dry before bringing it inside. Then, to further reduce your chance, remove it swiftly after Christmas Day, long before the traditional Twelfth Night. (Read by Emily Cheng. Emily Cheng is a journalist at the China Daily Website.) (Agencies) |
新研究显示，圣诞树可能是圣诞节期间一连串身体不适的罪魁祸首。 不要急于评判那些节日期间身体不适的人，也许他们并不是因为节日期间过度纵欲，而是因为圣诞树才生病的。 研究指出，这一作为装饰物的传统摆设引发了一系列健康问题，包括气喘、咳嗽、嗜睡和失眠。 这种病症名为“圣诞树综合症”，是由树上滋长的霉菌导致的，霉菌的孢子在被人吸入后会引发健康问题。 纽约州立大学西部医学院的科学家注意到12月25日前后几周是呼吸系统疾病的高发期，从而开展了这一研究，并发现了“圣诞树综合症”。 研究小组分析了从28棵不同种类的圣诞树上剪下的样本，包括松针和树皮，其中有53个样本发现了霉菌。 这些霉菌有70%能导致鼻子发痒、流泪、咳嗽、气短、胸痛、静脉窦堵塞、疲劳感、睡眠问题等症状。 发现的某些霉菌甚至可能导致长期肺病，以及支气管炎和肺炎等病症。 这种霉菌会在树上天然产生，在圣诞节供暖良好的室内温度下则会大量滋生。 该研究小组的报告中还提到另一项研究，这一研究发现，在一棵圣诞树摆放了两星期之后，散播在空气中的霉菌孢子数量从每35立方英尺800个增加到每35立方英尺5000个。该研究报告发表在《过敏、哮喘和免疫学年鉴》上。 这一研究的领头人劳伦斯•柯兰斯基医生说，他治疗过的病人中，有些人的病症和家里的圣诞树有明显的关联。 对于那些不想采取极端对策、就此告别圣诞树而又不想成为圣诞树综合症的受害者的人，柯兰斯基医生还有两条建议。 首先，在花园里用水龙管淋浇你的圣诞树，晒干后再放进室内。然后，为了进一步降低染病的几率，在圣诞节过后迅速将其移出屋外，而不是等到传统圣诞节的最后一夜——第十二夜（主显节前夕）才移走。 相关阅读 （中国日报网英语点津 陈丹妮 编辑：Julie） |
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Vocabulary: under the weather: 身体不适；有点小病 centrepiece: 放在餐桌（或壁炉台等）中央的装饰品 wheeze: 气喘 lethargy: 嗜睡 insomnia: 失眠 mould: 霉菌 spore: 孢子 sinus: 静脉窦 bronchitis: 支气管炎 hose down: 用软管淋浇、冲洗 |
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