【摘要】2013英语四六级在即，精品学习网小编在此为大家编辑了“英语六级外刊阅读：压力太大对免疫系统的影响”，供大家参考，希望对四六级考生有所帮助。祝大家取得理想的成绩!
本篇阅读材料“压力太大对免疫系统的影响”选自《今日美国》(原文标题：Study shows how stress triggers immune system 2012.1.27)，涉及到较多的医学名词。如果大家觉得比较简单，就当作泛读材料了解了解，认识几个新单词或新表达方式也不错。如果大家觉得这些材料理解上有难度，不妨当做挑战自己的拔高训练，希望大家都有进步。 Shedding some light on why stress might be bad for you, a new study finds that parts of your immune system ramp up when you get into personal conflicts with others.
shed light on 查明;说明;解释;照亮
immune system 免疫系统
ramp up 增加;加强
It's not clear how this effect of stress may make you sick, but the activated parts of the immune system -- which cause inflammation in the body -- have been linked to conditions such as diabetes and cancer.
"The message is that the flotsam and jetsam of life predict changes in your underlying biology in ways that cumulatively could have a bad effect on health," said study co-author Shelley Taylor, a professor of psychology at the University of California, Los Angeles. "What this tells me is that people should be investing in socially supportive relationships, and they should not court relationships that lead to a great deal of conflict."
flotsam and jetsam 无价值物;零碎杂物
underlying adj. 潜在的
It's well-known that stress causes several reactions in the body. "Stress activates the immune system in preparation for fighting infection and healing wounds," explained Dr. Andrew Miller, a professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Emory University School of Medicine, in Atlanta. "This is not a bad thing, especially in the context of a situation where a fight and wounding may ensue. However, if the immune system is constantly activated, this can contribute to a multitude of chronic health problems, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer and neuropsychiatric disorders."
cardiovascular disease 心血管疾病
neuropsychiatric disorders 神经紊乱
ensue v. 接着发生;因而产生 常用词组 ensue from 由……引起;随着发生(接着……)
In the new study, researchers sought to determine whether the stress of personal conflicts and competitive sports would trigger the release of molecules known as cytokines, which are linked to inflammation.
trigger 引起;促使;触发